On March 2, 2026 Compugen Ltd. (Nasdaq: CGEN) (TASE: CGEN) a clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company and a pioneer in computational target discovery powered by AI/ML, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025 and provided a corporate update.

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"We delivered important progress in 2025, highlighted by the extension of our cash runway into 2029 through a non-dilutive monetization agreement with AstraZeneca for rilvegostomig," said Eran Ophir, Ph.D., President and CEO of Compugen. "This strategic transaction strengthens our cash position while preserving the potential for significant long-term value of a multi-billion-dollar asset being advanced by AstraZeneca across 10 Phase 3 clinical trials in lung, gastrointestinal and endometrial cancers with further clinical data anticipated from Phase 1/2 clinical trials in 2026."

Dr. Ophir continued, "Across our pipeline, we continue to execute with discipline. In 2025, we initiated dosing in new clinical trials of COM701 MAIA-ovarian and of GS-0321 Phase 1 and expanded our clinical footprint across the U.S., Israel and France in the MAIA-ovarian clinical trial. At ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2025, we presented pooled COM701 data from 3 platinum resistant ovarian cancer trials that we believe support the rationale for our MAIA-ovarian trial, evaluating COM701 as maintenance therapy in platinum sensitive ovarian cancer in a setting of significant unmet medical need with no current standard of care. We are on track to have interim analysis in Q1 2027. In parallel, we are advancing our Phase 1 trial of GS-0321, an anti-IL18BP antibody licensed to Gilead which utilizes a differentiated cytokine-based approach. Additionally, we continue to invest in multiple early-stage discovery programs, advancing potential breakthrough drug candidates against undisclosed drug targets."

Dr. Ophir concluded, "We enter 2026 uniquely positioned with a strengthened balance sheet, a validated computational AI/ML discovery engine, a clinical pipeline built on differentiated innovative biology, enhanced leadership and two validating partnerships with AstraZeneca and Gilead representing up to $1 billion in potential milestone payments in addition to future royalties. I am incredibly proud of what our team has delivered and excited for what lies ahead."

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Highlights
Cash: As of December 31, 2025, Compugen had approximately $145.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits and investment in marketable securities. The cash balance at the end of 2025 includes the receipt of the upfront payment of $65 million from AstraZeneca for the monetization of a small portion of rilvegostomig royalties.

Key Highlights from Royalty Monetization Deal with AstraZeneca:

•
$65 million upfront payment and $25 million added to the next potential milestone payment upon BLA acceptance, for a small portion of Compugen’s existing royalty interest in rilvegostomig
•
Compugen retains the majority of its future royalties and remains eligible for tiered royalties of up to mid-single digits on future sales and potential future regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $195 million (amount includes the $25 million stated above)

Compugen currently expects that its current cash balances will be sufficient to fund its operating plans into 2029. The Company has no debt.

Revenues: Compugen reported approximately $67.3 million in revenues for the fourth quarter of 2025 and approximately $72.8 million in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to approximately $1.5 million in revenues for the fourth quarter of 2024 and approximately $27.9 million in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024. The revenues for 2025 include the upfront payment of $65 million from AstraZeneca and the portion of the upfront payment and the IND milestone payment from the license agreement with Gilead, while the revenues for 2024 reflect the portion of the upfront payment and the IND milestone payment from the license agreement with Gilead and the $5 million clinical milestone payment from AstraZeneca.

Cost of Revenues for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025, were approximately $3.5 million and $9.3 million, respectively, compared with approximately $0.7 million and $7.9 million for the respective comparable periods in 2024. Cost of revenues for 2025 represents the cost of Phase 1 activities related to the license agreement with Gilead and royalties to the Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA) in connection with Compugen’s revenues from AstraZeneca, while cost of revenues for 2024 represents the cost of IND and Phase 1 activities related to the license agreement with Gilead and royalties to the IIA in connection with Compugen’s revenues from AstraZeneca, offset by royalty reversal in 2024 due to exemption received from the Israeli Innovation Authority from the requirement to pay royalties on income derived from potential sales associated with products related to IL-18BP.

R&D expenses for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025, decreased to approximately $5.5 million and $22.8 million, respectively, compared with approximately $5.9 million and $24.8 million for the comparable periods in 2024, respectively. The decrease in 2025 was mainly due to lower clinical expenses resulting from winding down prior clinical trials, partially offset by an increase in clinical expenses related to MAIA-ovarian trial initiated in 2025.

G&A expenses for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2025, were approximately $2.1 million compared with approximately $2.2 million for the comparable period in 2024, and the G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025, were approximately $8.9 million compared with approximately $9.4 million for the comparable period in 2024.

Net Income / Loss: During the fourth quarter of 2025, Compugen reported a net profit of approximately $56.8 million, or approximately 60 cents per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of approximately $6.1 million, or approximately 7 cents per basic and diluted share in the comparable period of 2024. Net profit for the year ended December 31, 2025, was approximately $35.3 million, or approximately 38 cents per basic and diluted share, compared with a net loss of approximately $14.2 million, or approximately 16 cents per basic and diluted share in the comparable period in 2024.

Full financial tables are included below.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
The Company will hold a conference call today, March 2, 2026, at 8:30 AM ET to review its fourth quarter and full year 2025 results. To access the conference call by telephone, please dial 1-866-744-5399 from the United States, or +972-3-918-0644 internationally. The call will also be available via live webcast through Compugen’s website, located at the following link. Following the live audio webcast, a replay will be available on the Company’s website.

(Press release, Compugen, MAR 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234663172])

On March 2, 2026 Ascendis Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ASND) reported that company executives will participate in a virtual fireside chat at the TD Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 11:10 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:10 a.m. Pacific Time in Boston, Massachusetts.

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available via the Investors & News section of the Ascendis Pharma website at investors.ascendispharma.com. A webcast replay will also be available on this website shortly after conclusion of the event for 30 days.

(Press release, Ascendis Pharma, MAR 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234663188])

On March 2, 2026 Royalty Pharma plc (Nasdaq: RPRX) and Zymeworks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYME) reported an agreement for $250 million in funding from Royalty Pharma in the form of a non-recourse royalty-backed note with repayments due from 30% of worldwide tiered royalties on Ziihera (zanidatamab-hrii) owed to Zymeworks from Jazz Pharmaceuticals (Jazz) and BeOne Medicines (BeOne).

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"We are delighted to enter into this royalty funding agreement with Zymeworks on royalties from Ziihera, a therapy with the potential to meaningfully change the treatment landscape for patients with HER2‑positive gastric and biliary tract cancers," said Pablo Legorreta, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Royalty Pharma. "The recent clinical results from HERIZON-GEA-01 for Ziihera in first-line metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (mGEA) underscore its potential to prolong survival in a disease with poor prognosis and urgent need of new treatment options. This transaction enables us to participate in the long-term value of this important therapy while providing Zymeworks capital to achieve their strategic and financial goals."

"This strategic funding provides non-dilutive capital that enhances our flexibility to continue repurchasing shares at current prices, which we believe represents a compelling discount to our estimate of intrinsic value," said Kenneth Galbraith, Chair, Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer. "It also gives us additional capacity to pursue strategic acquisitions that meet our rigorous risk-adjusted return criteria and fund our cash runway beyond 2028. We believe this disciplined capital allocation strategy will increase the underlying value of the business, while thoughtfully reducing our share count over time, setting us up for higher long-term shareholder value."

Transaction Terms

Under the terms of the agreement, Zymeworks will receive $250 million from Royalty Pharma through the issuance of a non-recourse royalty-backed note. Repayment of the note will be secured by 30% of future royalties from the global sales of Ziihera, generated under collaboration agreements with partners Jazz and BeOne, equating to an approximately low to mid-single digit upward tiering royalty up to a pre-specified repayment limit. Royalty Pharma will cease receiving any such royalties when it receives cumulative payments of either 1.65x the note amount by December 31, 2033, or 1.925x the note amount at any time thereafter, at which time no further repayments will be owed with respect to the note.

Under the collaboration agreement with Jazz, Zymeworks is eligible to receive tiered royalties of 10% to high teens on global (outside of Asia (other than Japan), Australia and New Zealand) annual sales of Ziihera up to $2.0 billion and 20% on annual net sales above $2.0 billion.

Under the collaboration agreement with BeOne, Zymeworks is eligible to receive tiered royalties of mid-single to mid-double digits on annual net sales of Ziihera up to $1.0 billion and 19.5% on annual net sales above $1.0 billion. BeOne holds marketing rights to Ziihera in Asia (excluding Japan), Australia and New Zealand.

Zymeworks will retain 70% of royalties on Ziihera sales during the note repayment period, with full royalty rights reverting to Zymeworks once the royalty payments to Royalty Pharma have ceased. All earned regulatory and commercial milestone payments under its agreements with Jazz and BeOne will be retained by Zymeworks, including up to $440.0 million in near-term milestone payments tied to future regulatory approvals of Ziihera in mGEA, $89.0 million regulatory milestones for third indications, beyond biliary tract cancer and mGEA, and up to $977.5 million in potential commercial milestone payments, for total potential remaining payments of up to $1.5 billion.

Advisors

TD Cowen served as the financial advisor to Zymeworks on the transaction and Gibson Dunn served as its legal advisor. Covington & Burling, Choate and Maiwald acted as legal advisors to Royalty Pharma.

About Ziihera (zanidatamab-hrii)

Ziihera (zanidatamab-hrii) is a bispecific HER2-directed antibody that binds to two extracellular sites on HER2. Binding of zanidatamab with HER2 results in internalization leading to a reduction in HER2 expression of the receptor on the tumor cell surface. Zanidatamab induces complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). These mechanisms result in tumor growth inhibition and cell death in vitro and in vivo.1 In the United States, Ziihera is indicated for the treatment of adults with previously treated, unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+) biliary tract cancer (BTC), as detected by an FDA-approved test. The U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval for this indication based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).

Zanidatamab is being developed in multiple clinical trials as a targeted treatment option for patients with solid tumors that express HER2. Zanidatamab is being developed by Jazz and BeOne under license agreements from Zymeworks, which first developed the molecule.

The FDA granted two Breakthrough Therapy designations for zanidatamab’s development: one for patients with previously treated HER2 gene-amplified BTC, and one for patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA), and two Fast Track designations for zanidatamab: one as a single agent for refractory BTC and one in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy for first-line GEA. Additionally, zanidatamab has received Orphan Drug designations from the FDA for the treatment of BTC and GEA, as well as Orphan Drug designation from the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of BTC and gastric cancer.

The full U.S. Prescribing Information for Ziihera, including BOXED Warning, is available at: View Source

(Press release, Zymeworks, MAR 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234663204])

On March 1, 2026 Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncologic, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmologic, and other major diseases, reported the non-covalent (reversible) Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib), has received approval by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China for a new indication for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) after at least one line of systemic therapy including a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor.

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Pirtobrutinib is a highly selective kinase inhibitor that utilizes a novel non-covalent binding mechanism to extend the benefit of targeting the BTK pathway in CLL/SLL patients previously treated with a covalent BTK inhibitor (ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, or zanubrutinib).[1],[2] Pirtobrutinib received approval from the U.S. FDA in January 2023 as a non‑covalent (reversible) BTK inhibitor. In October 2024, pirtobrutinib was approved in China as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have previously received at least two prior systemic therapies, including a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor.

The approval of this new indication is based on results from the international, multicenter, randomized, Phase 3 BRUIN CLL‑321 study. BRUIN CLL‑321 is the world’s first randomized Phase 3 trial conducted in patients with CLL/SLL who had previously been treated with a covalent BTK inhibitor (cBTKi). The study enrolled a total of 238 patients and evaluated the efficacy and safety of pirtobrutinib monotherapy versus investigator’s choice of IdelaR (idelalisib plus rituximab) or BR (bendamustine plus rituximab). The results demonstrated that pirtobrutinib significantly prolonged median progression‑free survival (PFS) compared with the investigator’s choice regimen (14.0 months vs 8.7 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.54). In addition, the discontinuation rate due to treatment‑related adverse events was lower with pirtobrutinib (5.2% vs 21.1%), further supporting its efficacy and tolerability advantages in patients previously treated with a covalent BTK inhibitor.[3]

Professor Lu-Gui Qiu, Principal Investigator of the BRUIN CLL‑321 study in China, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, stated, "BTK inhibitors have become the preferred first‑ or second‑line treatment for patients with CLL/SLL, yet some patients still experience disease progression and have a poor prognosis. Studies have shown that the median overall survival for patients after discontinuing a covalent BTK inhibitor is only about 22.7 months.[4] Therefore, there is an urgent clinical need for new treatment. As a next‑generation, non‑covalent and reversible BTK inhibitor, pirtobrutinib represents an important advancement for patients with relapsed or refractory CLL. The BRUIN CLL‑321 study demonstrated its therapeutic potential in CLL/SLL. We believe it will offer an important treatment option for patients with CLL/SLL in China and help meet the needs of long‑term disease management in the future."

Dr. Li Wang, Lilly Corporate Senior Vice President, Head of Lilly China Drug Development & Medical Affairs Center, states, "The approval of pirtobrutinib for the CLL/SLL indication in China marks an important milestone in the treatment journey for Chinese CLL/SLL patients. It means that patients who continue to experience disease progression after covalent BTK inhibitor therapy can now gain timely access to this globally innovative treatment option. Supported by the efficacy and safety demonstrated in the BRUIN CLL‑321 study, we are pleased to offer a new therapeutic choice for CLL/SLL patient population with significant unmet medical needs in China. Looking ahead, Lilly will remain committed to accelerating the introduction of cutting‑edge therapies to help patients with hematologic malignancies in China achieve longer and better quality of survival. This is our enduring commitment to patients in China."

Dr. Hui Zhou, Chief R&D Officer of Oncology in Innovent, stated, "Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib) is a next-generation, non-covalent (reversible) BTK inhibitor. It offers a novel treatment option for patients who have previously received covalent BTK inhibitor therapy. The approval in China for CLL/SLL represents a significant breakthrough in this field, which ensures that CLL/SLL patients in China have timely access to this global therapeutic innovation. We will fully leverage Innovent’s leading brand presence and commercialization capabilities in oncology, to accelerate the accessibility of this innovative therapy, thereby benefiting more cancer patients in need."

About BRUIN CLL-321
BRUIN CLL-321 is a Phase 3, randomized, open-label study of Jaypirca versus investigator’s choice of idelalisib plus rituximab (IdelaR) or bendamustine plus rituximab (BR) in covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor pre-treated patients with relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). The trial enrolled 238 patients, who were randomized 1:1 to receive Jaypirca (200 mg orally, once daily) or investigator’s choice of either IdelaR or BR per labeled doses. This trial’s primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) per 2018 International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) criteria, as assessed by blinded independent review committee (IRC). Secondary endpoints include PFS, as assessed by investigator; overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DoR); event-free survival; overall survival (OS) and time to next treatment (TTNT); safety and tolerability; and patient-reported outcomes (PRO).

About Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib)
Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib, formerly known as LOXO-305) (pronounced jay-pihr-kaa) is a highly selective (300 times more selective for BTK versus 98% of other kinases tested in preclinical studies), non-covalent (reversible) inhibitor of the enzyme BTK.[2] BTK is a validated molecular target found across numerous B-cell leukemias and lymphomas including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).[5],[6]

In China, pirtobrutinib was developed by Eli Lilly and Company and is commercialized in mainland China by Innovent Biologics.

About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are forms of slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develop from white blood cells known as lymphocytes.[7] In China, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) represents approximately 6%–7% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases.[8] SLL is identical to CLL from a pathologic and immunophenotypic standpoint, with the main difference between them being the location of the cancer cells. In CLL, the cancer cells are present in the blood, and in SLL, the cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes.

(Press release, Innovent Biologics, MAR 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234663146])

On March 1, 2026 Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK) , a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biotech company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class medicines for autoimmune disease, solid tumors and hematological malignancies indications, reported that South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) has approved the reimbursement of XPOVIO (selinexor) in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma (MM) after one prior therapy. The reimbursement has taken effect on March 1, 2026. This marks the second XPOVIO indication to be approved for reimbursement in South Korea.

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As Antengene continues to expand its footprint across the Asia Pacific region, the Company remains committed to improving patient access to its innovative therapies. To date, XPOVIO has been approved in South Korea for three indications in MM and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), both major hematological malignancies. Two of these indications have been approved for reimbursement, including XPOVIO in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory MM (R/R MM) who have received at least four prior therapies, as well as the newly reimbursed indication. With expanded reimbursement coverage, XPOVIO is expected to benefit a broader patient population and further contribute to the management of hematological malignancies in South Korea.

With a novel mechanism of action, XPOVIO is the world’s first approved orally-available, selective XPO1 inhibitor. XPOVIO has already been approved in ten countries and regions in APAC, and has been included in the national insurance schemes in five of these markets (the mainland of China, Taiwan market, Australia, Singapore and South Korea). Moving forward, Antengene will continue to pursue broader access for XPOVIO across APAC markets.

(Press release, Antengene, MAR 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234663147])