On March 2, 2026 Defence Therapeutics Inc. ("Defence" or the "Company"), a publicly traded biotechnology company advancing next-generation therapeutics using its proprietary Accum platform, reported its participation in a series of major international industry events taking place in March 2026.

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These high-profile meetings will provide Defence with multiple opportunities to advance strategic partnerships, strengthen its global network, and further position Accum as a differentiated intracellular delivery technology for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), radiopharmaceutical conjugates (RDCs), and other complex biologics.

BIO-Europe Spring: Primary Focus on Strategic Partnerships

Defence will participate in BIO-Europe Spring (March 23–26, Lisbon, Portugal), the premier global partnering event for the life sciences industry. At BIO-Europe, the Company will prioritize discussions with biopharmaceutical partners seeking to collaborate on enhancing the intracellular delivery and efficacy of their ADC programs using Accum.

DCAT Week: Advancing Biomanufacturing Capabilities

Defence will also attend DCAT Week (March 23–26, New York), where the Company will focus on strengthening its manufacturing strategy. During DCAT, Defence plans to meet with contract research and manufacturing partners to advance the robust and high-quality biomanufacturing of Accum, a key operational objective for the Company. Defence has recently become a member of the Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association ("DCAT"), reinforcing its commitment to ensuring the well-characterized, quality-controlled, and commercially ready production of Accum.

Expanding U.S. Presence and Investor Engagement

In parallel, Defence will participate in the South Florida Life Sciences Showcase (March 24, Miami) and FII PRIORITY Miami (March 25–27), supporting the Company’s ongoing investor outreach and business development efforts in the United States. Defence has also recently joined BioFlorida, further strengthening its footprint within the Florida life sciences ecosystem.

"As we engage with partners and industry stakeholders across these key events, our priority is to build meaningful collaborations that support the continued growth and adoption of Accum," said Sébastien Plouffe, CEO of Defence Therapeutics. "By enabling more efficient intracellular delivery of complex biologics, Accum has the potential to significantly enhance therapeutic performance and tolerability, positioning the platform as a game-changing solution in the ADC field.". To explore partnering opportunities or schedule a meeting, please contact Defence Therapeutics at [email protected].

(Press release, Defence Therapeutics, MAR 2, 2026, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=defence-therapeutics-to-showcase-accum-platform-at-key-international-industry-events-in-march [SID1234663176])

On March 2, 2026 Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE: NUVB), a global oncology company focused on tackling some of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, and provided a business update.

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"We ended our transformational 2025 with a strong fourth quarter that underscored IBTROZI’s rapid adoption, and we believe our medicine is becoming the new standard of care for people living with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC across treatment lines. In 2026, we look forward to further building upon our successful U.S. launch, and partnering closely with Eisai to bring IBTROZI to more patients around the globe," said David Hung, M.D., Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvation Bio. "We are also excited and eager to progress our promising pipeline, with safusidenib now being studied in the pivotal Phase 3 SIGMA trial across those living with high-risk and high-grade IDH1-mutant glioma where significant needs exist for these patients. Lastly, we continue to evaluate additional internal preclinical candidates and external business development opportunities in hopes of furthering our mission to tackle some of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment."

Fourth Quarter 2025 and Recent Corporate Highlights:

IBTROZI (taletrectinib), ROS1 inhibitor: Advanced ROS1+ NSCLC

In the fourth quarter of 2025, 216 new patients started treatment on IBTROZI for advanced ROS1-positive (ROS1+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), reflecting the high rate of adoption and confidence in IBTROZI among healthcare professionals and patients.
With 432 new patients started since launch in the second half of June 2025, the treatment adoption rate is approximately six times greater than that of prior recent ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) launches based on IQVIA data.
On January 11, 2026, the Company entered an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd. to develop, register and commercialize taletrectinib for the treatment of ROS1+ NSCLC in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Turkey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company received a $25 million milestone payment from Nippon Kayaku as a result of establishing the reimbursement price in Japan.
In October 2025, the Company presented clinical data from the pivotal TRUST-II study evaluating IBTROZI in patients previously treated with entrectinib, a brain-penetrant ROS1 therapy at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2025.
IBTROZI demonstrated a confirmed overall response rate of 80% in 10 patients whose tumors progressed following treatment with entrectinib.
Safusidenib, mIDH1 inhibitor: IDH1-mutant glioma

In December 2025, the Company announced the publication of positive results from a Phase 2 study of safusidenib in patients with chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-naïve grade 2 IDH1-mutant gliomas. The findings were first published online on November 8, 2025, in Neuro-Oncology.
Safusidenib demonstrated durable responses, with an ORR of 44% and 88% of patients were progression-free at 24 months.
The findings supported favorable interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the now finalized protocol amendment making the SIGMA study (G203) a Phase 3, pivotal trial evaluating safusidenib maintenance treatment in high-risk and high-grade IDH1-mutant gliomas. The study now also includes an additional exploratory cohort in grade 3 oligodendroglioma.
In October 2025, the Company enrolled the first patient in the global SIGMA study (G203).
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
As of December 31, 2025, Nuvation Bio had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $529.2 million.

Product Revenue, Net
To date, our only source of product revenue has been from the U.S. sales of IBTROZI. We began distributing IBTROZI to our U.S. customers in June 2025. Net product revenue from U.S. sales of IBTROZI was approximately $15.7 million and $24.7 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2025, respectively.

Collaboration and License Agreements Revenue
For the three months ended December 31, 2025, collaboration and license agreements revenue was $26.2 million, compared to $5.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. The increase is primarily due to a $25 million milestone payment from Nippon Kayaku as a result of establishment of the reimbursement price for IBTROZI in Japan in Q4, offset by a $4.5 million decrease in research and development service revenue under the collaboration agreement with Innovent. Taletrectinib was included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List effective January 1, 2026.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, collaboration and license agreements revenue was $38.2 million, compared to $7.9 million for 2024. The increase is primarily due to a $19.1 million increase in license revenue and a $6.3 million increase in research and development service revenue as a result of milestone payment from Nippon Kayaku for the establishment of the reimbursement price in Japan in December 2025, a $3.6 million increase in product supply revenue, and a $1.3 million increase in royalty revenue.

Research and Development Expenses
For the three months ended December 31, 2025, research and development expenses were $34.3 million, compared to $29.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. The increase was due to an $11.4 million increase in third-party costs related to clinical studies, offset by a $2.4 million decrease in personnel-related costs because employee compensation and benefit costs directly related to commercial drug production were capitalized into inventory, as well as a $4.0 million decrease in regulatory milestone payments to Daiichi.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, research and development expenses were $115.1 million, compared to $99.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to a $7.8 million increase in salaries and other benefits driven by the increase in headcount and stock-based compensation primarily related to one-time charge for the vesting of performance-based awards upon receiving U.S. FDA approval of IBTROZI, a $12.1 million increase in third-party costs related to clinical studies, and a $0.1 million increase in amortization of assembled workforce, offset by a $4.0 million decrease in regulatory milestone payments to Daiichi.

Acquired In-process Research and Development Expenses
On April 9, 2024, as a result of the acquisition of AnHeart Therapeutics Ltd., we recorded a $425.1 million charge representing an acquired in-process research and development asset with no alternative future use in acquired in-process research and development expenses.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
For the three months ended December 31, 2025, selling, general, and administrative expenses were $40.3 million, compared to $26.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. The increase was due to a $7.3 million increase in personnel-related costs as a result of the increase in headcount, a $5.9 million increase in sales and marketing expenses, a $2.1 million increase in legal fees, offset by a $0.4 million decrease in professional fees, and a $0.7 million decrease in foreign currency impact.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, selling, general, and administrative expenses were $151.6 million, compared to $69.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. The increase was due to a $39.4 million increase in personnel-related costs as a result of the increase in headcount and stock-based compensation primarily related to one-time charge for the vesting of performance-based awards upon receiving U.S. FDA approval of IBTROZI, a $41.0 million increase in sales and marketing expenses, a $3.1 million increase in legal fees, a $0.1 million increase in professional fees and a $0.3 million increase in other expenses, offset by a $1.5 million decrease in foreign currency impact.

Net loss
For the three months ended December 31, 2025, Nuvation Bio reported a net loss of $36.6 million, or $(0.11) per share. The net loss for the comparable period in 2024 was $49.4 million, or $(0.15) per share.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, Nuvation Bio reported a net loss of $204.6 million, or $(0.60) per share. The net loss for the comparable period in 2024 was $567.9 million, or $(2.11) per share.

Conference Call and Webcast
Nuvation Bio will host a conference call and webcast today, March 2, 2026, at 4:30 pm ET to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025 and provide business updates.

Investors and the general public are invited to listen to the live webcast and may register on the Investor Relations section of the Nuvation Bio website. To access the live conference call, participants can dial +1 833-470-1428 (U.S. toll-free) and enter access code 833155. An archived recording will be available on Nuvation Bio’s website for 90 days following the event.

About ROS1+ NSCLC
Each year, more than one million people globally are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer. It is estimated that approximately 2% of patients with NSCLC have ROS1+ disease. About 35% of patients newly diagnosed with metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC have tumors that have spread to their brain. The brain is also the most common site of disease progression, with about 50% of previously treated patients developing central nervous system (CNS) metastases.

About IBTROZI
IBTROZI is an oral, potent, CNS-active, selective, next-generation ROS1 inhibitor therapy. On June 11, 2025, following Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designations for both TKI-naive and TKI-pretreated disease, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved IBTROZI for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC. Learn more at IBTROZI.com.

About the TRUST Clinical Program
The TRUST clinical program comprises three registrational studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of IBTROZI. TRUST-I (NCT04395677) and TRUST-II (NCT04919811) are Phase 2 single-arm studies evaluating IBTROZI for the treatment of adults with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC in China (N=173) and globally (N=189), respectively. The primary endpoint of both studies is confirmed objective response rate (cORR) as assessed by an independent review committee. TRUST-IV (NCT07154706) is a Phase 3 placebo-controlled study evaluating IBTROZI for the adjuvant treatment of adults with resected early-stage ROS1+ NSCLC. The study will enroll approximately 180 patients in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and China. The primary endpoint is disease-free survival as determined by investigator, and the primary completion date is estimated to be in 2030. Nuvation Bio is also sponsoring TRUST-III (NCT06564324), a confirmatory randomized Phase 3 study evaluating IBTROZI versus crizotinib in 138 patients in China with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC who have not previously received ROS1 TKIs.

Indication
IBTROZI is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR IBTROZI (taletrectinib)

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hepatotoxicity: Hepatotoxicity, including drug-induced liver injury and fatal adverse reactions, can occur. 88% of patients experienced increased AST, including 10% Grade 3/4. 85% of patients experienced increased ALT, including 13% Grade 3/4. Fatal liver events occurred in 0.6% of patients. Median time to first onset of AST or ALT elevation was 15 days (range: 3 days to 20.8 months).

Increased AST or ALT each led to dose interruption in 7% of patients and dose reduction in 5% and 9% of patients, respectively. Permanent discontinuation was caused by increased AST, ALT, or bilirubin each in 0.3% and by hepatotoxicity in 0.6% of patients.

Concurrent elevations in AST or ALT ≥3 times the ULN and total bilirubin ≥2 times the ULN, with normal alkaline phosphatase, occurred in 0.6% of patients.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Severe, life-threatening, or fatal ILD or pneumonitis can occur. ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 2.3% of patients, including 1.1% Grade 3/4. One fatal ILD case occurred at the 400 mg daily dose. Median time to first onset of ILD/pneumonitis was 3.8 months (range: 12 days to 11.8 months).

ILD/pneumonitis led to dose interruption in 1.1% of patients, dose reduction in 0.6% of patients, and permanent discontinuation in 0.6% of patients.

QTc Interval Prolongation: QTc interval prolongation can occur, which can increase the risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes) or sudden death. IBTROZI prolongs the QTc interval in a concentration-dependent manner.

In patients who received IBTROZI and underwent at least one post baseline ECG, QTcF increase of >60 msec compared to baseline and QTcF >500 msec occurred in 13% and 2.6% of patients, respectively. 3.4% of patients experienced Grade ≥3. Median time from first dose of IBTROZI to onset of ECG QT prolongation was 22 days (range: 1 day to 38.7 months). Dose interruption and dose reduction each occurred in 2.8% of patients.

Significant QTc interval prolongation may occur when IBTROZI is taken with food, strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors, and/or drugs with a known potential to prolong QTc. Administer IBTROZI on an empty stomach. Avoid concomitant use with strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors and/or drugs with a known potential to prolong QTc.

Hyperuricemia: Hyperuricemia can occur and was reported in 14% of patients, with 16% of these requiring urate-lowering medication without pre-existing gout or hyperuricemia. 0.3% of patients experienced Grade ≥3. Median time to first onset was 2.1 months (range: 7 days to 35.8 months). Dose interruption occurred in 0.3% of patients.

Myalgia with Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation: Myalgia with or without CPK elevation can occur. Myalgia occurred in 10% of patients. Median time to first onset was 11 days (range: 2 days to 10 months).

Concurrent myalgia with increased CPK within a 7-day time period occurred in 0.9% of patients. Dose interruption occurred in 0.3% of patients with myalgia and concurrent CPK elevation.

Skeletal Fractures: IBTROZI can increase the risk of fractures. ROS1 inhibitors as a class have been associated with skeletal fractures. 3.4% of patients experienced fractures, including 1.4% Grade 3. Some fractures occurred in the setting of a fall or other predisposing factors. Median time to first onset of fracture was 10.7 months (range: 26 days to 29.1 months). Dose interruption occurred in 0.3% of patients.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on literature, animal studies, and its mechanism of action, IBTROZI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Among patients who received IBTROZI, the most frequently reported adverse reactions (≥20%) were diarrhea (64%), nausea (47%), vomiting (43%), dizziness (22%), rash (22%), constipation (21%), and fatigue (20%).

The most frequently reported Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities (≥5%) were increased ALT (13%), increased AST (10%), decreased neutrophils (5%), and increased creatine phosphokinase (5%).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors/CYP3A Inducers and Drugs that Prolong the QTc Interval: Avoid concomitant use.
Gastric Acid Reducing Agents: Avoid concomitant use with PPIs and H2 receptor antagonists. If an acid-reducing agent cannot be avoided, administer locally acting antacids at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking IBTROZI.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Pregnancy: Please see important information in Warnings and Precautions under Embryo-Fetal Toxicity.
Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose.
Effect on Fertility: Based on findings in animals, IBTROZI may impair fertility in males and females. The effects on animal fertility were reversible.
Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of IBTROZI in pediatric patients has not been established.
Photosensitivity: IBTROZI can cause photosensitivity. Advise patients to minimize sun exposure and to use sun protection, including broad-spectrum sunscreen, during treatment and for at least 5 days after discontinuation.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information.

About IDH1-Mutant Glioma
Gliomas are the most common type of brain cancer in adults worldwide. In the U.S., nearly 2,400 people are diagnosed with IDH1-mutant gliomas each year. Most patients are diagnosed in their 30s and 40s. While patients with IDH1 mutations generally have longer survival times than those with wild-type IDH1, gliomas are not currently curable and prognosis worsens for those with high grade tumors.

About Safusidenib
Safusidenib is a novel, oral, potent, brain-penetrant, targeted inhibitor of mutant IDH1. In Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies, safusidenib was well-tolerated and demonstrated anti-tumor activity and high blood-brain barrier penetration.

(Press release, Nuvation Bio, MAR 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234663192])

On March 2, 2026 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) and Eisai (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito) reported the first presentation of results from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-011 trial evaluating the dual oral regimen of WELIREG (belzutifan), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s first-in-class oral hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, plus LENVIMA (lenvatinib), an orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discovered by Eisai, for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) whose disease progressed on or after treatment with anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)/ programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy. These data are being presented as a late-breaking oral abstract at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary (GU) Cancers Symposium (abstract #LBA417) and are included in the official ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU Press Program.

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At a pre-specified interim analysis with a median follow-up of 29.0 months (range, 19.3-49.2), WELIREG plus LENVIMA demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 30% (HR=0.70 [95% CI, 0.59-0.84]; p=0.00007) compared to cabozantinib. For WELIREG plus LENVIMA, the median PFS was 14.8 months (95% CI, 11.2-16.6) versus 10.7 months (95% CI, 9.2-11.1) for cabozantinib. A trend toward improvement in overall survival (OS), the trial’s other primary endpoint, was also observed for WELIREG plus LENVIMA (HR=0.85 [95% CI, 0.68-1.05]; p=0.06075). The median OS was 34.9 months (95% CI, 27.5-NR) for WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 27.6 months (95% CI, 24.0-31.4) for cabozantinib. The trial is continuing, and OS will be evaluated at a subsequent analysis per the clinical trial protocol.

Based on data from the LITESPARK-011 trial, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted two supplemental New Drug Applications (sNDA) for review seeking approval for WELIREG plus LENVIMA for the treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC with a clear cell component following a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor. The FDA set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action date, of October 4, 2026, for both the WELIREG and LENVIMA sNDAs. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and Eisai will also discuss these data with regulatory authorities worldwide to support potential submissions outside the United States.

"Choosing the right treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma after immunotherapy has been an ongoing challenge, and treatment options in this setting had not previously been evaluated against a current standard of care tyrosine kinase inhibitor in a Phase 3 trial," said Dr. Robert Motzer, Principal Investigator and Genitourinary Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "The LITESPARK-011 study demonstrated a 30% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death with belzutifan plus lenvatinib compared to cabozantinib, and 52.6% of patients experienced a response to treatment. These findings mark a critical step forward for these patients."

"The LITESPARK-011 trial highlights the potential of this first-of-its-kind combination regimen to deliver a meaningful benefit for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma whose disease progresses after PD-1/L1 therapy," said Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza, Vice President, Global Clinical Development, MSD Research Laboratories. "These WELIREG plus LENVIMA data demonstrate important progress for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and reinforce our commitment to improving the lives of patients through innovative treatment strategies."

"The LITESPARK-011 results reinforce LENVIMA’s established role in renal cell carcinoma and highlight the potential of this novel combination to address an area of significant unmet need," said Dr. Corina Dutcus, Senior Vice President, Oncology Global Clinical Development Lead at Eisai. "The acceptance of this regulatory filing is an important milestone, and we remain committed to working toward approval to bring this option to patients as soon as possible. We are grateful to the patients, their families, and the investigators, whose dedication made this research possible."

Additional findings

Data for objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR), two key secondary endpoints, were also reported. At the first interim analysis with a median follow-up of 19.6 months (range, 9.9-39.8), WELIREG plus LENVIMA met ORR, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement compared to cabozantinib. A confirmed ORR of 52.6% (95% CI, 47.3-57.7) was observed for WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 39.6% (95% CI, 34.6-44.8) for cabozantinib. At the second interim analysis with a median follow-up of 29.0 months, the median DOR was 23.0 months (95% CI, 2.0-44.3+) for WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 12.3 months (95% CI, 1.8+-35.9+) for cabozantinib.

WELIREG plus LENVIMA was administered to 370 patients and cabozantinib was administered to 371 patients. Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 71.6% of patients receiving WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 65.8% of patients receiving cabozantinib. Adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 11.1% of patients receiving WELIREG plus LENVIMA and in 11.3% of patients receiving cabozantinib, respectively. Serious adverse events were observed in 51.6% of patients receiving WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 43.9% of patients receiving cabozantinib, and AEs led to death in 5.4% of patients (two were treatment-related: thrombotic microangiopathy [n=1] and pneumonitis [n=1]) versus 3.2% (one was treatment-related: hemoptysis [n=1]) of patients, respectively.

LITESPARK-011 is part of a comprehensive late-stage clinical development program for WELIREG comprised of several Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated neoplasms and RCC. The Phase 3 LITESPARK-012 trial is evaluating the addition of WELIREG to KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus LENVIMA in the first-line advanced RCC disease setting.

WELIREG is approved(New Window) in the U.S., European Union (EU), Japan and other countries for the treatment of adult patients with advanced clear cell RCC following a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and 1-2 VEGF-TKIs based on results from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-005 trial.

KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA is approved in the U.S., the EU, Japan and other countries for the treatment of advanced RCC. Lenvatinib is approved as KISPLYX for advanced RCC in the EU.

LENVIMA in combination with everolimus is approved in the U.S., EU and other regions for the treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy.

Dr. Motzer has provided consulting and advisory services for Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and Eisai.

About LITESPARK-011

LITESPARK-011 is a randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04586231(New Window)) evaluating WELIREG in combination with LENVIMA compared to cabozantinib for the treatment of patients with advanced clear cell RCC that has progressed on or after anti-PD-1/L1 therapy. The dual primary endpoints are PFS per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) and OS. Key secondary endpoints include ORR per RECIST v1.1 as assessed by BICR, DOR per RECIST v1.1 as assessed by BICR, and safety. The trial enrolled 747 patients who were randomized to receive WELIREG (120 mg orally once daily) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally once daily) or cabozantinib (60 mg orally once daily).

About renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, with about nine out of 10 kidney cancer diagnoses being RCC.1 In 2022, there were about 435,000 new cases of kidney cancer and approximately 156,000 deaths from the disease worldwide.2 RCC is about twice as common in men as in women.1 Most cases of RCC are discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other abdominal diseases. Approximately 30% of patients with kidney cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage.

(Press release, Eisai, MAR 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234663177])

On March 2, 2026 Precision Biologics, Inc. CEO Philip M. Arlen, MD, reported it will discuss discovery and development of tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in "Discovery and Development of Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Tumor Specific Neoepitopes" at the Festival of Biologics USA, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, March 4-5, 2026.

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"What is unique about our monoclonal antibodies (mAb) is that their targets are found on a broad variety of human solid tumors but not on most healthy tissue. Most anticancer drugs target proteins overexpressed on tumor tissue but also expressed in lower levels on normal tissue. Creating anticancer drugs that are not only sensitive, but specific to the tumor provides an opportunity to develop effective therapy with fewer side effects."

"We’re expanding awareness in the scientific community of these cancer-specific targets that Precision Biologics drugs can recognize that are found on various human cancers," said Dr. Arlen.

Here are details of the presentation:

Title:

"Discovery and Development of Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Tumor Specific Neoepitopes"

Date/Time:

March 5, 2026 – Day 2, 12:20pm – Armed Antibodies Session

Place:

Festival of Biologics USA, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA

Speaker:

Philip M. Arlen, M.D., President & CEO, Precision Biologics, Inc.

(Press release, Precision Biologics, MAR 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234663193])

On March 2, 2026 Kairos Pharma, Ltd. (NYSE American: KAPA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative cancer therapeutics, reported that it has entered into binding terms to acquire CL-273 from Celyn Therapeutics, Inc., a company backed by OrbiMed and Torrey Pines Investment.

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John Yu, M.D., Kairos Pharma Chief Executive Officer, commented: "The signing of binding terms to acquire CL-273 represents a pivotal step in building Kairos Pharma’s next generation of targeted therapies for EGFR-mutant lung cancer. This transaction is expected to be value-accretive. CL-273’s AI-designed, wild-type-sparing pan-EGFR profile positions it as a potentially best-in-class asset in a large, fast-growing $16.2 billion lung cancer market with significant unmet needs due to the development of resistance. Given its prestigious backing, we believe partnering with Celyn Therapeutics offers additional high-quality science to our existing pipeline. We believe in the rigor of the data package supporting CL-273. We further believe that together with an OrbiMed-backed innovator, Kairos Pharma is strongly positioned to deliver a highly differentiated, potentially best-in-class, EGFR inhibitor to patients worldwide."

CL-273 is an investigational, reversible, wild-type-sparing pan-EGFR small-molecule inhibitor discovered using a proprietary AI-driven drug discovery platform backed by OrbiMed and other leading healthcare investors. This unique drug targets the resistant mutations that develop when using EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, thereby reversing resistance. Specifically engineered for EGFR-mutant type of lung cancer (NSCLC), the EGFR-mutated lung cancer treatment market is estimated at $16.2 billion in 2026 (Future Market Insights). EGFR mutations are present in approximately 10–15% of NSCLC cases in Western populations and up to 50% in Asian populations (CoherentMI), creating a substantial addressable patient population worldwide.

Celyn Therapeutics brings deep domain expertise in small-molecule oncology drug development. Kairos Phama believes that OrbiMed’s support of Celyn underscores the quality of CL-273’s discovery and this transaction is expected to align the Company with OrbiMed’s longstanding track record in building category-defining oncology companies. By acquiring CL-273, Kairos aims to accelerate the development of a next-generation, AI-designed EGFR inhibitor for patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC worldwide.

D. Boral Capital, LLC acted as the sole financial advisor.

(Press release, Kairos Pharma, MAR 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234663178])