On July 2, 2026 Nona Biosciences ("Nona"), a global biotechnology company advancing biotherapeutic discovery through innovative technology platforms, reported the appointment of Dr. Peng Wang as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Dr. Wang will be based in Suzhou and report directly to Dr. Di Hong, Chief Executive Officer of Nona Biosciences.

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In this role, Dr. Wang will be responsible for establishing an efficient and integrated scientific research platform, rapidly building core technical capabilities, and upgrading the Company’s comprehensive and standardized scientific research service system. He will lead efforts to realize lean and efficient resource management, with a focus on elevating overall project management efficiency to support Nona’s growing portfolio of partner programs.

Dr. Wang brings over 15 years of extensive experience in biomedical research and drug development. Prior to joining Nona, he served as Head of Biologics and in vitro APAC at Crown Bioscience. Before that, he held the position of Head of Antibody Group at WuXi AppTec and served as a Senior Scientist at Roche. Dr. Wang began his career with several years of postdoctoral research experience at the University of Pennsylvania.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Peng Wang to Nona Biosciences at a pivotal time as we continue to strengthen our platform capabilities and enhance our operational infrastructure," said Dr. Di Hong, Chief Executive Officer of Nona Biosciences. "Peng’s deep expertise across biologics development, antibody discovery, and research operations will be instrumental in formulating our long-term platform strategy and ensuring the efficient execution of our project portfolio. I am confident that he will fulfill his role to the best of his ability and maintain Nona’s high standard of performance and delivery."

"Nona Biosciences has established itself as a leader in antibody discovery and engineering, with its proprietary technology platforms and integrated I to I framework from idea to IND," said Dr. Peng Wang, Chief Operating Officer of Nona Biosciences. "I am excited to join the team and look forward to further enhancing our scientific capabilities, streamlining operations, and delivering greater value to our partners."

Dr. Wang holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Delaware.

(Press release, Nona Biosciences, JUL 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234669062])

On July 1, 2026 Valerio Therapeutics (FR0010095596 – ALVIO), a biotechnology company pioneering next-generation precision-guided RNA therapeutics ("Valerio" or the "Company"), reported that it has signed a binding offer for the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of etherna immunotherapies NV ("etherna") (the "Acquisition").

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etherna is a leading technology platform company pioneering the development of mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies, including manufacturing up to GMP. With over a decade of expertise, etherna has built an integrated suite of proprietary technologies, including customizable lipid nanoparticles (cLNPs) and advanced mRNA chemistry, enabling the development and delivery of differentiated RNA therapeutics.

The Creation of a Global Leader in Targeted RNA Medicines
The Acquisition marks a major milestone in Valerio’s strategy to become a global leader in targeted nucleic acid medicines. By uniting three complementary technology platforms – nucleic acid chemistry, LNP delivery and targeted moiety engineering – within a fully integrated biotech supported by in-house manufacturing capabilities, the Acquisition positions Valerio to accelerate the development of next-generation RNA medicines targeting cells beyond the liver.

The Acquisition combines Valerio’s proprietary sdAb-targeting and conjugation technologies with Etherna’s mRNA and LNP capabilities. Together, these technologies enable targeted delivery of nucleic acid payloads to specific cell types and tissues, while in-house GMP manufacturing and CMC capabilities address a key bottleneck many nucleic acid companies face when scaling programs into the clinic.

The Acquisition would create a fully integrated RNA medicines company with a proprietary pipeline and the capabilities to discover, develop and manufacture its own product candidates, with the ambition to advance at least two programs in immunological indications through IND-enabling studies and into the clinic within 18 to 24 months. The lead program demonstrates the potential of the combined platform, focused on the development of an in vivo CAR-T approach to target and modulate pathological B- and T cells in immunological diseases. Furthermore, the company aims to unlock substantial partnership, co-development, and licensing opportunities with major pharmaceutical companies seeking to extend nucleic acid medicines beyond the liver and into a broader spectrum of tissues and indications, while continuing to support existing collaborations and partnerships through its manufacturing capabilities.

Today’s announcement follows the appointment of Gilles Besin as Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Besin brings more than 20 years of experience in drug discovery, immunology, and RNA-based medicine, and has played a key role in building and scaling several biotechnology companies. Most recently, he served as Chief Scientific Officer at Orbital Therapeutics, an in vivo CAR‑T company that leveraged targeted LNP technology and was acquired by BMS in 2025. Following the acquisition, he led BMS’s RNA and in vivo CAR‑T programs. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at Affinivax, playing a key role in the acquisition by GSK, and Moderna.

"The acquisition of Etherna is a transformative moment for Valerio, propelling us toward our vision of building a fully integrated RNA therapeutics company. By bringing together Etherna’s cutting-edge science with our proprietary targeted delivery technologies, we are creating a powerful engine for innovation. Together, these capabilities position us to efficiently and confidently advance the next generation of RNA medicines beyond the liver, opening new therapeutic frontiers and expanding what is possible for patients worldwide." said Gilles Besin, Ph.D., CEO of Valerio.

"This transaction represents a natural next step in Etherna’s mission to unlock the full potential of nucleic acid-based medicines. Together with Valerio, we will have the scientific capabilities, leadership and ambition to translate these technologies into a growing pipeline of targeted medicines, building long-term value while advancing novel therapies for patients – while continuing to support our partners in discovery, development and manufacturing." said Bernard Sagaert, CEO of etherna.

Terms and Conditions of the Acquisition
The acquisition of 100% of the share capital and voting rights of etherna is contemplated for a total enterprise value of €30 million, subject to customary adjustments.
The Acquisition would be settled through a mix of:
(i) a cash consideration, fully backed by committed financing from Valerio’s existing shareholders; and
(ii) a share consideration consisting of contribution in kind of etherna shares (the "Contributions") to the Company.

The Acquisition is supported by leading life sciences investors, with key etherna shareholders becoming Valerio shareholders as part of the transaction, reflecting confidence in the strategic vision and value creation.
Completion of the Acquisition remains subject to (i) applicable regulatory approvals in the relevant jurisdictions, including foreign direct investment control, (ii) finalizing of the transaction documentation (iii) completion of a financing pursuant to outstanding shareholders’ resolutions, fully secured by subscription undertakings from Valerio’s existing shareholders up to the cash consideration, and (iv) the approval by Valerio’s shareholders of the Contributions at an extraordinary general meeting to be convened for that purpose, secured by voting undertakings from shareholders representing more than 70% of the voting rights, whose decision shall be based in particular on a report by a contributions auditor assessing the fairness of the contribution transaction.
The parties have entered a 6-week exclusivity period to finalize the definitive transaction documentation required in the context of the contemplated Acquisition, in accordance with the provisions of the binding offer.

The binding offer has received the unanimous approval of etherna’s board of directors.

Advisors
Van Lanschot Kempen NV is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Valerio Therapeutics with Goodwin Procter LLP serving as legal counsel.
Moelis & Company is serving as financial advisor to etherna with Deloitte serving as legal counsel.

(Press release, eTheRNA, JUL 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234669034])

On July 1, 2026 Imugene Limited (ASX: IMU), a clinical-stage immunooncology company, reported additional patient data from the concurrent BTK inhibitor (BTKi) cohort of its ongoing Phase 1b basket study of azer-cel (azercabtagene zapreleucel).

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This Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) patient, the first MCL patient treated in the azer-cel Phase 1b study, had previously failed BTKi therapy and achieved a complete response at the Day 28 assessment.

MCL is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that typically presents at an advanced stage and remains incurable with standard therapies. BTK inhibitors have become an established treatment across relapsed or refractory MCL, but a significant proportion of patients develop resistance or intolerance over time, leaving them with limited remaining options.

All patients enrolled in the concurrent BTKi cohort have relapsed on or are refractory to BTKi therapy, a standard treatment across multiple B-cell malignancies. Despite the established efficacy of BTK inhibitors, a significant proportion of patients develop resistance over time and are left with limited remaining options. This cohort evaluates whether concurrent dosing of azer-cel with a BTKi may restore or enhance therapeutic activity in this setting. The global BTKi market reached approximately US$12.0 billion in 2025.

Leslie Chong, Managing Director and CEO of Imugene, said, "Achieving a second complete response in the concurrent BTKi cohort, including in the first Mantle Cell Lymphoma patient treated in the study, further reinforces our belief in azer-cel’s potential for patients who have progressed on BTKi therapy. Given the broad use of BTK inhibitors across B-cell malignancies and the limited treatment options available following progression, we believe this concurrent dosing approach represents a highly promising clinical and commercial opportunity for azer-cel."

To date, four patients have been dosed in the azer-cel Phase 1b concurrent BTKi cohort, two of which are evaluable, both achieving a complete response. Further updates will be provided as additional data becomes available, and the dataset matures.

Azer-cel is an off-the-shelf, allogeneic CAR T cell therapy which targets CD19 to treat blood cancers. Azer-cel is derived from healthy donor T cells and ready for administration within days, without the three-to-six-week manufacturing lead time required for autologous CAR T products.

About the Phase 1b azer-cel trial

The azer-cel allogeneic CAR T trial is an ongoing, open-label, multi-centre Phase 1b clinical trial in the U.S. and Australia, for CAR T relapsed patients and CAR T naïve patients diagnosed with a broad range of Non-Hodgkins lymphomas including follicular lymphoma (FL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The trial has most recently expanded into a concurrent BTKi cohort, for patients with a range of B-cell malignancies who have previously failed BTKi therapy. Treatment with azer-cel, lymphodepletion and IL-2 has produced meaningful clinical responses across multiple indications, including multiple complete responses in the concurrent BTKi cohort. Additionally, the safety profile is manageable and generally well tolerated.

(Press release, Imugene, JUL 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234669019])

On July 1, 2026 Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) and Memo Therapeutics AG reported they have entered into a definitive share purchase agreement under which Ipsen has agreed to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Memo Therapeutics AG. The anticipated acquisition is focused on potravitug, which is a Phase II clinical-stage antibody against the BK polyomavirus (BKPyV). BK polyomavirus associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) is a serious and frequent clinical complication in renal transplanted patients that can lead to graft loss and transplant failure. Potravitug was granted fast-track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2023 and orphan drug designation in the European Union in December 2025.

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"This acquisition reinforces our commitment to delivering transformative solutions for patients with significant unmet needs," said Christelle Huguet, PhD, EVP, Head of R&D, Ipsen. "With potravitug, we have the opportunity to add a promising first-in-class asset to our rare disease pipeline and address the significant clinical consequences of BK virus–associated nephropathy in kidney transplant recipients, where current standards of care can compromise transplant success and graft outcomes."

Potravitug is a monoclonal antibody directed against the BK virus VP1 capsid protein. It acts by blocking viral attachment and cellular entry, thereby preventing infection of host cells and subsequent viral replication. The Phase II SAFE Kidney II triali is the largest placebo-controlled clinical trial for the treatment of BKPyVAN in kidney transplanted patients with 95 patients across 22 sites in the U.S. Topline results demonstrated efficacy with potravitug, including higher rates of ≥1-log10 viral load reduction or undetectable levels compared to placebo at week 20 alongside histological improvement in BKPyVAN. The totality of data showed strong clinical value with potravitug demonstrating a sustained and significant antiviral effect and reduced the incidence of BKPyVAN. 24.4% of treated patients achieved undetectable BKPyV-DNAemia by week 38 versus 13.0% in the placebo group, with >2-log10 viral load reductions occurring in 40.3% versus 24.7% of patients, respectively. By week 20, biopsy-proven BKPyVAN had declined from 51.2% to 31.6% in the potravitug group, with no change observed in the placebo group. Potravitug was well tolerated, with no treatment-related serious adverse events reported. Following the update at the European Renal Association Congress last month, the full SAFE KIDNEY II dataset presented at ATC 2026 further strengthen the clinical rationale for potravitug ahead of the planned SAFE KIDNEY III trial initiation later this year.

Erik van den Berg, CEO of Memo Therapeutics AG commented, "Today marks a pivotal moment in the Memo Therapeutics AG journey and validates years of scientific innovation. We are thrilled to have attracted Ipsen to take this important medicine forward. With its deep expertise in developing and commercializing medicines for rare diseases, Ipsen can ensure that this breakthrough asset reaches its full potential to deliver a life changing difference for thousands of kidney transplant patients with BKPyV infection."

"BK polyomavirus associated nephropathy is a significant clinical challenge in kidney transplant recipients," said Darshana Dadhania, MD, MS, FAST, medical director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program, assistant director of the Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility Lab and an associate professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. "With no approved targeted treatment, clinicians are forced to reduce immunosuppressive therapy which increases the risk of graft rejection and graft loss. Given the frequency and serious consequences of BK virus reactivation, there remains an urgent need for effective therapy that avoids this trade-off."

Transaction details
Under the terms of the agreements, shareholders of Memo Therapeutics AG will receive a 200 million EUR payment on a cash-free and debt-free basis at closing of the transaction, and deferred payments contingent upon the achievement of specified development, regulatory approval and sales-based milestones, for a total potential consideration in excess of 700 million EUR. As a condition precedent to closing the transaction, Memo Therapeutics AG’s assets and employees not related to potravitug, will be transferred to a newly incorporated company, Memorises Bio, retained by Memo Therapeutics AG’s shareholders.

The transaction is expected to close during Q3 2026, subject to fulfilment of customary closing conditions. The impact of this proposed mid-stage acquisition is factored into Ipsen’s current full-year guidance.

Advisors
Kate Romain, Anne Robert and Juliette Grouzet of Bredin Prat (Paris) and Andreas Rötheli, Floran Ponce and Federico Trabaldo Togna of Lenz & Staehelin (Switzerland) were acting as legal counsel to Ipsen. Centerview Partners is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Memo Therapeutics AG with Goodwin (London) and Baker McKenzie (Switzerland) acting as legal counsel.

About potravitug
Potravitug is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) reactivation in kidney transplant recipients. It has shown promising results in clinical trials, demonstrating a significant viral response and resolution of BKPyV associated nephropathy. These findings are based on the Phase II SAFE KIDNEY II trial, the largest placebo-controlled study conducted in this patient population, with additional analyses presented at leading international renal and transplant congresses further supporting its clinical profile and the next stages of clinical development.

About BK polyomavirus
BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a common virus that most people are exposed to in childhood and usually remains inactive in the body.ii However, in people with a weakened immune system, including kidney transplant recipients taking anti-rejection medication, the virus can reactivate and multiply. Around 90% of kidney transplant recipients are positive for BKPyV serotype,iii and high levels of BKPyV in the blood affect approximately 30% of patients within the first year after transplant indicating reactivation of the virus.iv BK polyomavirus reactivation and associated nephropathy (BKVAN) can have serious consequences, including an increased risk of graft loss and the need for dialysis or re-transplantation. There are currently no approved targeted therapies for BKPyV and clinical management is focused on balancing graft protection with BKPyV control through reducing the immunosuppression.v,vi Over 100,000 kidney transplants are performed each year worldwide, and in the U.S. >28,000 are performed each year, with a further >90,000 patients on the waiting list for a transplant.

(Press release, Ipsen, JUL 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234669035])

On July 1, 2026 Nona Biosciences ("Nona"), a global biotechnology company advancing biologics discovery and development through innovativetechnology platforms, reported a strategic collaboration with Lonza to develop best-in-class single-domain antibody–based blood-brain barrier (BBB)-crossing technology for central nervous system (CNS) diseases.

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This collaboration will leverage Nona Biosciences’ proprietary Harbour Mice fully human HCAb platform to discover and develop next-generation single-domain antibody-based blood-brain barrier (BBB)-crossing technologies. Leveraging the platform’s proven ability to generate fully human HCAbs and VHH binders with exceptional affinity and developability, the partnership aims to establish a best-in-class BBB-crossing technology capable of enabling the delivery of a diverse range of therapeutic modalities into the central nervous system (CNS) and unlocking new opportunities in CNS drug development and technology licensing. As part of the collaboration, Lonza’s protein development expertise, world-leading GS Gene Expression System and GlycoConnect bioconjugation technology will complement Nona’s platform by supporting the optimization and broader application of selected BBB-crossing candidates.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nona is entitled to receive upfront and option payments from Lonza. The parties will also share revenues generated from future licensing agreements pursuant to the collaboration.

Dr. Jingsong Wang, Chairman of Nona Biosciences, commented: "This partnership reflects validates Nona’s platform and strategic focus in next-generation delivery technologies. Lonza’s global reach, regulatory expertise, and commercial manufacturing capabilities will help accelerate the advancement of our BBB-crossing-technology. Beyond technology development, the collaboration creates opportunities for licensing, commercialization and long-term value creation, while strengthening our position in the CNS delivery space and supporting better outcomes for patients."

Dr. Di Hong, Chief Executive Officer of Nona Biosciences, added: "We are excited to partner with Lonza to develop and commercialize best-in-class BBB-crossing technologies for CNS diseases. This collaboration underscores the power and versatility of our HCAb Harbour Mice platform and its ability to generate differentiated, fully human single-domain binders that can tackle the most challenging delivery barriers in drug development. By combining our platform with Lonza’s services and development and manufacturing expertise, we are confident to offer next-generation BBB-crossing solutions that can unlock new treatment paradigms for patients suffering from devastating CNS disorders."

Peter Droc, Head of Licensing, Lonza, commented: "With the acquisition of IP rights to Nona’s BBB-crossing technology and through our continued collaboration, we are immediately enabling our customers to translate promising CNS assets into viable therapeutics. By combining this with flexible CDMO services, we allow partners to engage with us at any stage of their journey – from technology licensing to fully integrated development and commercial manufacturing – reducing complexity and helping accelerate the path to patients."

(Press release, Nona Biosciences, JUL 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234669036])