On April 24, 2025 Akoya Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKYA), The Spatial Biology Company, reported the availability of a new assay designed to advance antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development in breast cancer (Press release, Akoya Biosciences, APR 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234652094]). The new assay will be featured alongside customer-generated real-world data from the PhenoCode Discovery IO60 panel—Akoya’s flagship ultrahigh-plex immuno-oncology solution—at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2025 Annual Meeting, taking place April 25–30 in Chicago, Illinois.

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New ADC Assay: Advancing Breast Cancer Precision

The emergence of HER2- and TROP2-targeting ADCs—such as those used in the DESTINY, ASCENT, and TROPiCS trials—have transformed breast cancer treatment while introducing greater complexity in therapeutic decision-making. Akoya’s newly launched multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) panel is designed to address these challenges by enabling more precise patient selection within established breast cancer subtypes.

This ADC-focused panel includes HER2, TROP2, Ki-67, ER/PR, and a proprietary membrane-localization cocktail. It allows for simultaneous quantification of ADC target expression with precise subcellular localization, providing:

Normalized protein expression
Membrane/cytoplasmic expression ratios
Comparative analysis with standard-of-care IHC biomarkers
Now available through Akoya’s Advanced Biopharma Services (ABS), the ADC panel includes comprehensive support—from assay customization to tissue staining, high-resolution imaging, image analysis, and reporting. ABS is purpose-built to accelerate the path from translational discovery to IUO and IVD, with capabilities anchored in:

A CLIA-certified laboratory for clinical-grade assay development
Integrated imaging and analysis workflows for multiplexed biomarker quantification
A clinical trial site and global CRO network for end-to-end study support
The panel is optimized for:

Identifying HER2-low and TROP2-high patients in clinical trial cohorts
Resolving membrane versus cytoplasmic marker expression—critical for ADC efficacy
Delivering consistent, quantitative scoring of each ADC marker
"Multiplexing key targets in context with state-of-the-art membrane resolution is a catalyst for designing precise ADC combination strategies," said Pascal Bamford, Chief Clinical Officer at Akoya. "Our goal is to equip translational and clinical teams with assays that reflect the complexity of the tumor microenvironment while preserving clinical relevance."

Real-World Impact of IO60: Proven in the Field

Originally launched at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2024, the PhenoCode Discovery IO60 panel remains the fastest ultrahigh-plex spatial proteomics solution for immuno-oncology research. At AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2025, one of Akoya’s customers will present real-world data generated using IO60, showcasing its power in:

Deep immune phenotyping
Tumor microenvironment (TME) profiling
Translating biomarker discovery across oncology pipelines
"Seeing our partners generate impactful insights using IO60 is the strongest validation of our platform’s potential," said Brian McKelligon, Chief Executive Officer of Akoya. "This is how spatial biology becomes translational—by helping researchers get closer to patient-relevant outcomes."

Visit Akoya at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2025 – Booth #3045

Both innovations—the ADC-focused breast cancer panel and customer-generated data using IO60—will be featured at Booth #3045, where Akoya will highlight the full potential of spatial biology in translational research. Visit us to explore the PhenoCode panel portfolio, meet with our scientific team, and experience our latest innovations firsthand.

What to Look Forward To:

Live Atlas Demo with Enable Medicine – Translating spatial data into actionable insights: April 27 | 4:30–5:00 PM | Akoya Booth #3045
Spotlight Theatre Presentation: From Discovery to Translation: Scaling Spatial Biology for Oncology Breakthroughs: April 28 | 3:00–4:00 PM | Spotlight Theater A – South Hall A
CDx Strategy Discussion with Clinical Experts: April 28 | 4:15–5:00 PM | Akoya Booth #3045
Early access opportunities to Akoya’s newest translational panels and biopharma service offerings
For more information about Akoya’s AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2025 presence, visit: View Source

On April 24, 2025 PharmaMar (MSE:PHM) a global leader in the research, development, and commercialization of marine-derived oncology therapies, reported it will be present at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), that will take place between the 30th of May and the 3rd of June in Chicago, U.S.A (Press release, PharmaMar, APR 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234652110]).

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Included among the key presentations an oral abstract of the Phase 3 IMforte trial. "Statistically significant and clinically meaningful progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) data for lurbinectedin (Zepzelca) in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq) underscore potential of first line maintenance therapy for extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), a much-needed advancement for patients", commented Javier Jiménez, Chief Medical Officer of PharmaMar.

The Company also will host an investor webcast on June 12th to review Phase 3 IMforte data being presented at this year’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. The webcast will include commentaries from leading European experts in small cell lung cancer. The webcast can be accessed at View Source Additional details will be provided prior to the webcast.

The full list of PharmaMar or partner-supported presentations at the 2025 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting are:

PRODUCT TITLE LEAD AUTHOR ABSTRACT
Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) Lurbinectedin (lurbi) + atezolizumab (atezo) as first-line (1L) maintenance treatment (tx) in patients (pts) with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): Primary results of the Phase 3 IMforte trial Luis G. Paz-Ares, MD, PhD TYPE: Oral Abstract SESSION: Lung Cancer— Non-Small Cell Local-Regional/Small Cell/Other Thoracic Cancers ABSTRACT: 8006 DATE: June 2nd, 2025 (03:00 PM- 06: PM CDT)
Safety and Efficacy of Lurbinectedin Plus Atezolizumab as Second-Line Treatment for Advanced Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Results of the 2SMALL Phase 1/2 Study (NCT04253145) Santiago Ponce, MD, PhD TYPE: Rapid Oral Abstract SESSION: Lung Cancer— Non-Small Cell Local-Regional/Small Cell/Other Thoracic Cancers ABSTRACT: 8013 DATE: June 1st, 2025 (04:30 PM- 06:00 PM CDT)
Evaluation of combination of lurbinectedin plus atezolizumab in humanized mouse model Antonio Calles, MD, PHD TYPE: e-poster ABSTRACT: e14614 DATE: May 22nd, 2025 (05:00 PM CDT)

On April 24, 2025 Iksuda Therapeutics (Iksuda), the developer of class leading, clinically validated antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) reported that it will present three posters at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois (25-30 April) (Press release, Iksuda Therapeutics, APR 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234652126]). The posters cover the Company’s new payload class, the ProAlk series, its CA242-directed ADC, IKS04, being developed for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, and its proprietary PermaLink conjugation chemistry.

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Iksuda will introduce its new ProAlk payload class which has a novel protein alkylating mechanism and is incorporated in ADCs in a prodrug format for enhanced targeting precision. ProAlk is active across a broad range of tumours and has been designed for optimal ADC relevance. It is associated with potent bystander activity and is MDR-resistant. Its novel mechanism will help to address the growing and significant challenge of ADC sequencing, where differentiation from tubulin and topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads will become imperative. Iksuda is building a pipeline of ProAlk driven ADCs which incorporate its proprietary PermaLink conjugation chemistry for ADC stability and tumour-selective payload activation and release for enhanced precision and safety.

The Company will also present a poster on IKS04, its CA242-directed ADC for the treatment of GI cancers and which is in IND-enabling studies. IKS04 uses a pro-drug approach for the tumour-specific delivery of a highly potent pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) payload, avoiding the typical toxicity profile seen in traditional PBD ADCs. In preclinical trials, IKS04 is associated with in vivo efficacy which is substantially improved over benchmark ADCs in all tumour models, and a superior therapeutic index over all other PBD-based solid tumour ADC programs. IKS04 will be administered via pre-administration of naked antibody – a novel dosing regimen in the ADC field – to overcome high expression abundance and enable higher tumour penetration and consistent levels of efficacy across tumours. IKS04 is expected to enter clinical development in GI cancers by the end of 2025.

In addition, Iksuda will highlight its proprietary PermaLink conjugation chemistry, which is used across its early-stage ADC platform alongside the Company’s glucuronide linker formats and novel ProAlk payload. PermaLink offers a simple, scalable and highly stable bioconjugation method as an alternative to maleimide-based conjugation, enabling highly stable ADCs with favourable anti-tumour activity and safety.

Dr Dave Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, Iksuda Therapeutics, said:

"These three poster presentations at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) demonstrate Iksuda’s leadership in ADC innovation as we unveil our novel ProAlk payload class, overcoming the challenges in ADC sequencing and which will drive Iksuda’s deepening pipeline. With two clinical-stage programs, a growing pipeline of class leading ADCs and our expanding, innovative platforms, we are strongly positioned to progress new and promising ADCs to deliver improved outcomes for patients living with cancer. We look forward to progressing IKS04 into clinical development for GI cancers later this year, an area of high unmet need with limited effective treatment options and poor five-year survival rates for the significant number of patients with advanced disease."

Poster Presentation details:

ProAlk

Abstract Title:

PA289, a prodrug linker-payload with a novel mechanism of action for the development of antibody drug conjugates

Session Title:

Antibody-Based Cancer Therapeutics 1

Date/Time:

April 28, 2025 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location:

Poster Section 15

Poster Number:

1579/28

IKS04

Abstract Title:

IKS04, an antibody drug conjugate with a highly potent DNA crosslinker payload for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers

Session Title:

Antibody-Based Cancer Therapeutics 2

Date/Time:

April 28, 2025 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location:

Poster Section 15

Poster Number:

2885/24

PermaLink

Abstract Title:

PermaLink, a stable and scalable bioconjugation platform as an alternative to maleimide-based conjugation

Session Title:

Antibody-Based Cancer Therapeutics 1

Date/Time:

April 28, 2025 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location:

Poster Section 15

Poster Number:

1570/19

On April 24, 2025 Hoffmann-La Roche reported the company continues good momentum into 2025 with 6% (CER) sales growth in the first quarter (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, APR 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234654045]).

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On April 24, 2025 ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM), a leading radiopharmaceutical biotech company, and Alpha-9 Oncology (Alpha-9), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing a distinctive portfolio of differentiated and highly targeted radiopharmaceuticals, reported the signing of a supply agreement for Actinium-225 (Ac-225) to support the development of Alpha-9’s radiopharmaceutical programs (Press release, Alpha9 Oncology, APR 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234652095]). Under the terms of the agreement, ITM will supply its therapeutic medical radioisotope, Ac-225, produced by ActineerTM Inc. (Actineer), the joint venture between ITM and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Actineer is advancing cutting-edge technologies to secure and expand its supply chain and produce industrial-scale quantities of Ac-225 at rapid speed to meet the growing global demand. Further contract details have not been disclosed.

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"This agreement strengthens our ongoing collaboration with Alpha-9 and reaffirms our mission to supply Actinium-225 to companies pioneering novel radiopharmaceuticals for high unmet need cancer indications," said Dr. Andrew Cavey, CEO of ITM. "We deeply value Alpha-9’s continued trust in our capabilities to produce industrial-scale radioisotopes, supporting the development of breakthrough treatments that can potentially improve the lives of patients with cancer worldwide."

Ac-225 is a rare medical radioisotope used in radiopharmaceuticals to treat various cancer indications. It emits high-energy alpha particles with a short penetration range in tissue, enabling precise targeting of tumor cells. Studies with Ac-225 have shown it to cause double-stranded DNA breaks in cancer cells, leading to their destruction[i]. Its unique qualities along with its natural scarcity and manufacturing complexities make Ac-225 a highly sought after resource. With a comparatively short half-life of approximately ten days[ii], Ac-225 requires a highly sophisticated manufacturing and distribution network worldwide.

"With its global strength in providing high-quality radioisotopes including. Lutetium-177 and their growing capabilities for the production of Actinium-225, ITM is a valued partner as we progress our pipeline of clinical and discovery programs to meet the needs of cancer patients," said Alison Fleming Ph.D., COO of Alpha-9 Oncology.