On April 16, 2026 Acerand Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies in oncology, metabolic diseases, and immunology, reported updated results from its first-in-human Phase I/II study ACE-106-001 (NCT06380660) evaluating ACE-106 (ACE-86225106) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

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As of February 5, 2026, 57 heavily pretreated patients, with a median three prior lines of therapies, had received ACE-106. No dose-limiting toxicities or Grade 4–5 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred. Grade 3 TRAEs occurred in 17.5% of patients, with no apparent evidence of dose-dependent toxicity. ACE-106 has also shown a safety profile that compares favorably with currently approved PARP inhibitors, including lower rates of hematologic toxicity.

ACE-106 showed encouraging and durable antitumor activity across tumor types. Among evaluable homologous recombination repair-mutated (HRRm) patients, the objective response rate (ORR) was 32%, with a disease control rate (DCR) of 58%. Responses remain ongoing, and the median duration of response has not yet reached.

In patients with HRRm metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), ACE-106 achieved an ORR of 50% and a PSA50 response rate of 37%, and a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 7.4 months. In PARPi–naïve HRRm ovarian cancer, ACE-106 demonstrated an ORR of 67% and a DCR of 100%.

Pharmacokinetic data supports once-daily dosing, with dose-proportional exposure and a favorable half-life.

Based on these results, Acerand plans to initiate a randomized Phase II study evaluating ACE-106 in combination with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) versus ARPI alone in prostate cancer. "These data reinforce ACE-106’s differentiated profile and support its potential as a best-in-class PARP1 inhibitor," said Acerand. "We believe ACE-106 is well positioned for combination strategies and broader clinical development."

Detailed results will be presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026 (Abstract CT064).

About ACE-106 (ACE-86225106)

ACE-106 is a next-generation, highly selective PARP1 inhibitor designed to improve the therapeutic index relative to approved PARP inhibitors.

(Press release, Acerand Therapeutics, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664450])

On April 16, 2026 Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l. ("NMS"), a global oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported its participation in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026, taking place in San Diego, USA from April 17 to 22, 2026. At the meeting, NMS will present two scientific posters highlighting its latest research and advancements in oncology. In addition, research from NMS scientists will be featured in a poster to be presented by Italfarmaco S.p.A., a private pharmaceutical company with a strong research focus.

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At this year’s AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual meeting, NMS will present the following posters:

-NMS Poster 1

Title: "Atamparib: first-in-class PARP7 inhibitor for treatment of NSCLC adenocarcinoma in monotherapy and in combination with standards of care" (Poster #3049)

Presenter: Genny Degani, Biology Lead Scientist at NMS

Location: Poster Section 15; Poster Board Number: 10

Date & Time: April 20, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT

This study presents a novel mechanism of action linking PARP7 to MAP-kinase pathway through the oncogene FRA1, which supports atamparib activity in MAPK-dependent cancers, demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo data generated in monotherapy or in combination with multiple KRAS inhibitors.

Link to full poster abstract View Source!/21436/presentation/8884

-NMS Poster 2

Title: "Itareparib: a potent, selective and non-trapper PARP1 inhibitor for combination therapy with DNA damaging agents in solid tumors" (Poster #2933)

Presenter: Alessia Montagnoli, CSO at NMS

Location: Poster Section 11; Poster Board Number: 10

Date & Time: April 20, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT

Itareparib is a third-generation PARP1 selective inhibitor with a unique non-trapping mechanism designed to expand the application of PARP1i through chemotherapy or ADC combinations, addressing the unmet need of patients with both HR-deficient and HR-proficient tumors. In this presentation we will show itareparib is highly synergic with chemotherapy agents such as temozolomide, topoisomerase I inhibitors and with Topo1-ADC in multiple tumor types with low hematological effects compared to trapper PARP1 inhibitors, irrespectively from PARP1 selectivity. These data strongly support the ongoing Phase I/II clinical trials of itareparib in combination with DNA-damaging agents in brain (NCT04910022), lung (NCT06931626) and ovarian cancer (NCT06930755)

Link to full poster abstract View Source!/21436/presentation/3439

-Italfarmaco (ITF) – Poster featuring NMS out-licensed duocarmycin payload

Title: "Targeted DNA damage through SSTR2: Preclinical development of a novel peptide-drug conjugate for neuroendocrine tumors" (Poster #1758)

Presenter: Gianluca Fossati, Head of Biochemistry at Italfarmaco

Location: Poster Section 15; Poster Board Number: 1758

Date & Time: April 20, 2026, 9:00 AM -12:00 PM PDT

NMS and ITF announce the presentation of new preclinical data for ITF3912, a novel peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) developed under their licensing agreement, leveraging NMS’s proprietary linker-payload technology. ITF3912 targets somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2), which is expressed in neuroendocrine tumors and a subset of small cell lung cancers, and combines a modified octreotide analog with NMS’s duocarmycin payload via a cathepsin-B cleavable linker.

As detailed in the abstract, ITF3912 demonstrates high affinity and selectivity for SSTR2, efficient receptor-mediated internalization, and targeted intracellular release of its payload, resulting in DNA damage and tumor cell death. Antitumor activity, observed in vitro and in vivo, and correlated with SSTR2 expression levels, including in SCLC xenograft models. These findings support the continued development of ITF3912 as a potential therapeutic option for patients with SSTR2-positive tumors. The compound is currently advancing through IND-enabling studies.

Link to full poster abstract View Source!/21436/presentation/4315

We look forward to engaging with the scientific community at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026 and sharing insights from our work.

(Press release, Nerviano Medical Sciences, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664435])

On April 16, 2026 Promega Corporation, a Madison, Wisconsin-based life science tools company, reported it will present new technologies for cell health, target engagement and oncology diagnostics at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego, April 17-22. Researchers attending the conference can explore tools spanning oncology research, drug discovery and diagnostics workflows at Booth #2229 in the San Diego Convention Center.

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Topics to be discussed at the conference include:

Lumit hKi-67 Immunoassay for Cell Proliferation: A plate-based assay for tracking a well-known marker of cell proliferation
TarSeer BRETSA Target Engagement System: A cellular, tracer-free, bioluminescence-resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based system that detects compound-protein interactions
Microsatellite Instability (MSI) Companion Diagnostics: Promega OncoMate MSI Dx Analysis System recently received regulatory approvals from the U.S. FDA and the NMPA in China.
Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction on KingFisher Instruments: Promega has released preconfigured protocols for implementing Maxwell HT purification chemistry on KingFisher Flex and Apex
Promega scientists will also be presenting thirteen research posters during the event, including the first reveal of the company’s red-shifted NanoPrism luciferase. Highlights include:

Two-color bioluminescence analyses pairing NanoLuc and red-shifted NanoPrism luciferases: Sunday April 19, 2:00 – 5:00 pm | Section 13, Board 6, Abstract #288
BRETSA: A BRET-based assay for ultra-sensitive measurement of target engagement through protein denaturation in live cells: Tuesday, April 21, 2:00 – 5:00 pm | Section 39, Board 27, Abstract #6427
Lumit-based profiling of degrader dynamics reveals signaling-dependent, cell context-specific sensitivity to degraders: Tuesday, April 21, 2:00 – 5:00 pm | Section 15, Board 26, Abstract #5799

(Press release, Promega, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664451])

On April 16, 2026 PharmaMar (MSE: PHM), a global leader in the research, development, and commercialization of marine-derived cancer therapies, reported it will once again be participating in the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), which is taking place in San Diego, United States, from April 17th to 22nd, 2026.

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Carmen Cuevas, VP of R&D at PharmaMar, comments that "we are making progress in the research of marine-derived drugs for the development of new therapies. Our participation in a leading international oncology conference reinforces our commitment to innovation and improving treatments for patients."

On this occasion, the Company is presenting four new studies with the results of its research.

PM54 suppresses WNT/β-Catenin signaling and synergizes with chemotherapy in gastric cancer models

Compound Author Poster
PM54 Marcelo Lima Ribeiro, PhD Session Title: Multi-Axis Antineoplastic Agents
Session Start Time: 4/21/2026 2:00PM – 5:00PM
PM54, an innovative transcription inhibitor, is emerging as a promising anticancer candidate for gastric cancer by inhibiting the WNT/β-catenin pathway and inducing molecular reprogramming linked to cell cycle arrest and DNA repair. In addition, PM54 exhibits clear in vitro synergy with 5-FU and cisplatin. In mouse

models, PM54 significantly reduced tumor growth, and combination with 5-FU or cisplatin induces greater tumor growth inhibition than that achieved with either 5-FU or cisplatin alone. These results support its development in rational combinations to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

PM54 reshapes the tumor microenvironment to potentiate checkpoint blockade

Compound Author Poster
PM54 Eugenio Bustos-Morán, PhD Session Title: Immune Mechanisms Invoked by Other Therapies and Exposures
Session Start Time: 4/20/2026 2:00 PM – 5:00PM
Our studies show that PM54, an innovative drug, not only directly fights cancer but also significantly boosts the immune system’s response; this dual action is key to treating hard-to-treat tumors. The research reveals that PM54 reprograms the tumor microenvironment, making it more vulnerable. Combining PM54 with immunotherapies such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors leads to a reduction in tumor size and robust activation of cancer-fighting immune cells. These results indicate that PM54 has the potential to transform previously resistant tumors into ones that are sensitive to immunotherapy, opening up new opportunities to develop more effective combination treatments.

PM54 targets oncogenic transcriptional networks across multiple cancer types

Compound Author Poster
PM54 Ismael Fernández-Miranda, PhD Session Title: Molecular Targets 1 Session Start Time: 4/20/2026 2:00 PM – 5:00PM
The study demonstrates that PM54 acts by rapidly suppressing the expression of key genes involved in tumor proliferation, leading to the arrest of growth and the death of tumor cells. It has been observed that tumors with a high growth rate and functional p53 protein respond better to treatment with PM54. These results may enable more appropriate patient selection to optimize clinical benefit.

PM534, a new tubulin inhibitor, exhibits antitumor activity in experimental models of soft tissue sarcoma

Compound Author Poster
PM534 Patrick Schöffski, MD PhD Agnieszka Wozniak, PhD Agathe Bouju Session Title: Multi-Axis Antineoplastic Agents Session Star Time: 4/21/2026 2:00 PM – 5:00PM
PM534 is a novel tubulin-binding agent that exhibits a very high affinity for the colchicine-binding domain and overcomes the common resistance mechanisms that limit the efficacy of other tubulin-binding agents. In this study, PM534 has demonstrated potent antitumor activity in leiomyosarcoma tumors derived from patients and implanted in animal models. Furthermore, consistent with its mechanism of action, it induced a marked increase in apoptosis in the treated tumors.

(Press release, PharmaMar, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664436])

On April 16, 2026 Janux Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: JANX) (Janux), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad pipeline of novel immunotherapies, reported that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial of JANX014 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). JANX014 is a double-masked, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) directed T cell engager (TCE) designed to leverage Janux’s tumor-activated technology platform to selectively activate T cells in the tumor microenvironment.

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Janux is building a portfolio of tumor-activated PSMA therapies designed to address multiple treatment settings and mechanisms of immune engagement. Early clinical data from JANX007 have demonstrated what Janux believes is potentially a best-in-class clinical profile in mCRPC, including a favorable safety profile with no Grade 3 cytokine release syndrome observed at clinically relevant dose levels using the current CRS mitigation strategy. These data continue to guide Janux’s development strategy in prostate cancer. JANX014 represents an exploratory extension of the strategy, emerging from platform work initiated in early 2024 evaluating multiple PSMA-directed approaches. JANX014 will also explore potential future use cases where enhanced safety margins and ease of administration may be particularly important.

"We are pleased to have initiated clinical evaluation of JANX014," said David Campbell, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Janux Therapeutics. "JANX007 remains our lead prostate program, and we believe it has established a strong clinical foundation for PSMA-directed TRACTr therapy. Insights from programs such as JANX007 and JANX008 have informed our continued platform development. We are building a prostate cancer portfolio designed to address patients across multiple stages of disease, including both single and combination approaches. Advancing programs such as JANX014 reflects our strategy of expanding on that foundation while maintaining disciplined execution on our lead program."

William Go, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Janux Therapeutics, added, "Janux’s tumor-activated technology allows us to evaluate multiple molecular designs against the same validated target. As we advance JANX007, we are also developing complementary approaches within our platforms, including JANX013, our CD28 co-stimulatory PSMA-TRACIr program, along with exploratory approaches like JANX014. This innovative work is intended to help us understand how different mechanisms and masking strategies may translate into clinical benefit across patient populations in prostate cancer."

The Phase 1 study is a first-in-human, open-label, multicenter study to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of JANX014 in adults with mCRPC.

Additional information about the study will be available at clinicaltrials.gov.

(Press release, Janux Therapeutics, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664452])