On October 2, 2025 Biosceptre International Limited reported the successful completion of its 2025 fundraise, securing £8.1 million through the issue of 40,500,000 new shares (Press release, Biosceptre, OCT 2, 2025, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=biosceptre-secures-8-1-million-to-accelerate-innovative-cancer-therapies [SID1234656397]).

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This achievement underscores the strong confidence of investors in Biosceptre’s pioneering approach to developing novel treatments for hard-to-treat cancers.

Biosceptre CEO Gavin Currie commented:

"This fundraise marks an important milestone for Biosceptre as we accelerate the development of our therapeutic pipeline. With the continued support of our investors, we are advancing towards our vision of bringing transformative treatments to patients worldwide. Our team is deeply committed to tackling some of the most pressing challenges in oncology and to building a future where patients have access to more effective and targeted therapies."

With this new capital in place, Biosceptre will continue to progress its therapeutic pipeline and deliver on key milestones in the months ahead.

The newly issued shares are scheduled to be dispatched by 8th October 2025.

On October 2, 2025 Ataraxis AI, a frontier laboratory developing artificial intelligence (AI)–powered prognostic tools for oncology, and MEDSIR (Medica Scientia Innovation Research), a global leader in oncology research, reported a strategic collaboration to integrate artificial intelligence into multiple major international trials (Press release, MedSIR, OCT 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234656415]). These studies, involving data from more than 1,000 patients across randomized clinical trials, aim to identify biomarkers that can optimize treatment strategies for breast cancer, including therapies with CDK4/6 inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

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MEDSIR has been a key contributor to oncology clinical trials, helping support the advancement of transformative therapies into standard practice. These efforts have expanded access to novel treatment options and improved outcomes for patients worldwide. The introduction of new therapeutics creates an opportunity but also a challenge to select the right drug for every patient. Ataraxis addresses this critical need with Ataraxis Breast, the first AI-native platform in breast cancer developed to predict patient outcomes and treatment effects. By integrating insights from standard digital pathology slides with clinical data, the platform provides a new evidence-based layer to support treatment decisions and personalize care.

Building upon Ataraxis’ previous positive clinical validation results showing efficacy across major breast cancer subtypes, the research collaboration between MEDSIR and Ataraxis AI will focus on leveraging artificial intelligence to predict outcomes across key breast cancer subtypes—including HR+ and HER2+ cohorts—encompassing patients in early-stage and metastatic settings. The goal is to enhance clinical decision-making by integrating AI-driven insights into routine oncology workflows.

"Breast cancer treatment continues to improve, with new therapies becoming available every year. However, this creates a challenge in selecting the right drug at the right time. At Ataraxis, we are developing AI-native tools to accurately predict patient outcomes and treatment response for all cancer patients. We are proud to partner with MEDSIR to validate our breast cancer platform using data from practice-changing clinical trials," said Jan Witowski, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Ataraxis AI.

"At MEDSIR, we are committed to accelerating innovation in oncology through collaborative research that brings real value to patients and clinicians," said Alicia García, Scientific Director at MEDSIR. "Partnering with Ataraxis AI allows us to integrate cutting-edge artificial intelligence into clinical trials, generating evidence that can transform treatment decision-making in breast cancer. This collaboration represents an important step toward a future where precision oncology is not just a concept, but a standard of care."

This announcement demonstrates the commitment to building global collaborative networks for both MEDSIR and Ataraxis AI. With strategic headquarters in Europe and the United States, MEDSIR has built an extensive global network of more than 600 researchers and has conducted 65 clinical trials across more than 200 sites in 14 countries. Ataraxis AI has partnerships with over 40 institutions on the development, validation, and deployment of AI-based tools for treatment selection. Additionally, this collaboration marks a milestone in building clinical evidence for Ataraxis Breast moving beyond retrospective observational studies and into prospective trials investigating new therapies.

On October 2, 2025 Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CU6) ("Clarity" or "Company"), a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company with a mission to develop next-generation products that improve treatment outcomes for patients with cancer, reported that data on Clarity’s pan-cancer theranostic, 64/67Cu-SAR-bisFAP, will be presented at the upcoming World Molecular Imaging Conference (WMIC) 2025 from the 29th September to October 3rd in Anchorage, Alaska by Dr. Michele De Franco, a research fellow at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and Clarity’s collaborator (Press release, Clarity Pharmaceuticals, OCT 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234656399]).

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Clarity is developing 64/67Cu-SAR-bisFAP as potential pan-cancer theranostics targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is expressed on cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a particular cell type found in the tumour microenvironment (cancer ‘infrastructure’ called the tumour stroma). FAP is found to be highly expressed in a broad range of cancers (e.g. breast, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, brain and ovarian cancers), but only minimally in normal tissue, making it a promising pan-cancer target for both imaging and treatment of cancers1. CAFs form part of the environment surrounding the cancer cells, and they can promote cancer growth and the spread of the tumour throughout the body2. Targeting the tumour stroma is an alternative way to treat cancer whereby the architecture of the tumour mass is targeted rather than the tumour cells directly.

As part of the optimisation process, Clarity developed and assessed two versions of the FAP-targeted product, one with a singular targeting molecule, SAR-FAP, and a dimeric version of the same molecule, SAR-bisFAP. Whilst both molecules have shown high tumour-specific uptake and targeting, the dual-targeting SAR-bisFAP has shown superior tumour targeting and retention in FAP-expressing mouse models.

Comparison between the ex vivo biodistribution of 64Cu-SAR-FAP and 64Cu-SAR-bisFAP in FAP-positive U-87 MG (human glioblastoma) xenografts, showing how much product accumulated in each location, expressed as the percentage of the injected activity (%IA/g), at 1, 4, and 24 h post-injection.

Consistent with the enhanced tumour uptake observed using the dual-targeting 64Cu-SAR-bisFAP, 67Cu-SAR-bisFAP also showed improved efficacy in therapeutic mice studies, with a doubling in the median survival time of the mice who received 30 MBq of 67Cu-SAR-bisFAP compared to those who received 30 MBq of the 67Cu-SAR-FAP monomer or an industry benchmark, 177Lu-FAP-2286 (median survival time was 28.5, 14.5, and 11.5 days, respectively).

Based on this data and results from previously completed pre-clinical studies, Clarity is aiming to progress the dual-targeting SAR-bisFAP theranostic products into human clinical studies, with a focus on the diagnostic in the first instance.

Dr Alan Taylor, Executive Chairperson of Clarity Pharmaceuticals, commented: "FAP-targeted products represent an exciting new generation of radiopharmaceuticals with the potential to target a range of cancer indications with high unmet needs. Consistent with our approach to high quality research and science, we continue to explore and optimise the most promising products in the field and going the extra mile to maximise their viability and success in the clinic. Starting from the benchtop, we work with thought leaders in the field to overcome the shortcomings of the existing products in development and generate strong data to support this. As a result of this commitment to excellence, we are now excited for our colleagues at MSK to share the results of the SAR-bisFAP products at one of the leading conferences in the field as they pave the way for clinical research in the near future.

"The diagnostic products using copper-64 and the therapeutics using copper-67 have shown high tumour targeting and retention in FAP-expressing xenograft mice models of cancer, with the dual-targeting 64Cu-SAR-bisFAP showing improved retention compared to the monomer alone, and 67Cu-SAR-bisFAP displaying improved efficacy compared to both 67Cu-SAR-FAP and an industry benchmark, 177Lu-FAP-2286. We believe these benefits are enabled by the optimised "bis" structure of our FAP product as well as the advantages offered by the perfect pairing of copper-64 and copper-67, securely held by our proprietary SAR chelator.

"Based on this data, we are currently conducting product development to enable a Phase I clinical trial in 2026 with 64Cu-SAR-bisFAP, which will be followed by exploring potential treatment opportunities of cancers based on their unmet medical needs using 67Cu-SAR-bisFAP in subsequent clinical trials."

On October 2, 2025 Cartography Biosciences, Inc., an oncology company advancing an innovative pipeline of T-cell engaging bispecific and multi-specific antibody therapeutics that target novel and highly specific tumor antigens, reported the close of a $67 million Series B financing (Press release, Cartography Biosciences, OCT 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234656416]). The funding will help support the advancement of Cartography’s lead program, CBI-1214, into the clinic and the continued acceleration of additional, highly differentiated oncology programs generated from its ATLAS and SUMMIT drug discovery platforms.

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The Series B was led by new investor Pfizer Ventures and was joined by additional new investors LG Corp, Amgen Ventures, Finchley H.V., Global BioAccess Fund, and Lotte Holdings CVC, as well as existing investors Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Bio + Health, 8VC, Wing Venture Capital, Catalio Capital Management, AME Cloud Ventures, ARTIS Ventures, and Gaingels. As part of the financing, Michael Baran, MBA, Ph.D., Partner at Pfizer Ventures, has joined Cartography’s Board of Directors. Additionally, Troy E. Wilson, Ph.D., J.D., who had previously joined as an Independent Director, has been elected as Chairman of the Board.

"Cartography is uniquely positioned to lead the potential next generation of T-cell engagers with a novel late preclinical program for colorectal cancer," said Michael Baran. "With a strong discovery platform and a growing pipeline, Cartography is quickly emerging as a leader in antibody therapeutics, and Pfizer Ventures is excited to support their progress in bringing potential new treatments to patients."

Cartography’s lead program CBI-1214 is a T-cell engager molecule that targets LY6G6D, an emerging and highly specific tumor antigen for treating colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The target, which has minimal expression on healthy cells, is uniquely expressed within the microsatellite stable (MSS) and microsatellite instability-low (MSI-L) subtypes of CRC, which represent the vast majority of CRC patients and remains a major area of unmet medical need. CBI-1214 has protein engineering features that are specifically designed to optimize anti-tumor activity.

Kevin Parker, Ph.D., CEO of Cartography Biosciences said, "Combining insights from thousands of patient tissue samples, our ATLAS and SUMMIT platforms have identified several novel targets and target pairs that we have engineered new T-cell engagers against. CBI-1214, our first announced program, has the potential to be a first- and best-in-class molecule targeting CRC and positions Cartography as an emerging leader in new targeted therapies. We are grateful for the support of Pfizer Ventures and a world-class roster of strategic and financial investors as we move forward with CBI-1214, which is on track for an investigational new drug application later this year and trial enrollment in early 2026."

On October 1, 2025 Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Jechobio") reported it has made another breakthrough in independently developed innovative drugs, offering a tribute to the National Day through scientific achievement (Press release, Jecho Laboratories, OCT 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234656380]).

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Jechobio has received the "Drug Clinical Trial Approval Notice" from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), officially approving the clinical trial of JL19001 injection for the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Looking ahead, Jechobio will continue to uphold its innovation-driven mission, accelerate its drug development efforts, and contribute to advancing human health and well-being worldwide.

About JL19001 Injection

JL19001 injection is a Class I innovative drug jointly developed by Jecho laboratories, Inc. (USA) and Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. It is a fusion protein composed of recombinant human serum albumin (HSA) and an IL-15Rα/IL-15 complex, designed to activate NK cells and CD8⁺ T cells, enhancing both innate and adaptive immune responses.

When used in combination with Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), JL19001 is intended to treat non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) by helping avoid bladder removal surgery, thus improving patient survival rates and quality of life.