On May 30, 2025 OncoHost, a technology company transforming the approach to precision oncology through proteomics and AI, reported the publication of a new study in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC), titled "Decoding Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis of Plasma Proteomics and Therapeutic Implications (Press release, OncoHost, MAY 30, 2025, View Source [SID1234653532])."

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The study provides a critical leap forward in understanding resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)—one of the most pressing challenges in oncology today. Through a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of pretreatment plasma proteomic profiles from 272 NSCLC patients, researchers identified key biological processes associated with resistance and revealed therapeutic targets that could inform future precision treatment strategies.

"This study marks a pivotal step in our mission to equip oncologists with the tools and insights they need to make truly personalized treatment decisions" said Ofer Sharon, MD, CEO of OncoHost. "By leveraging plasma proteomics and AI to decode the biology of resistance, we’re not just uncovering barriers—we’re transforming them into actionable clinical insights. This is the foundation of why PROphet works: it detects resistance mechanisms and tumor-driven processes that impact treatment response. With PROphet, we’re enabling physicians to navigate complexity with confidence and deliver care that is as individualized as their patients."

The analysis focused on 388 resistance-associated proteins (RAPs) previously identified as part of OncoHost’s proprietary PROphet platform—an AI-powered, plasma proteomic-based decision-support tool. Researchers identified five distinct expression patterns when comparing between patients who benefit from ICI-based treatment, patients who do not, and healthy subjects, uncovering both immunologic and tumor-derived drivers of resistance. Notably, the study revealed that 17.5% of the RAPs identified are known drug targets, thereby reassuring that the RAPs are indeed involved in key resistance mechanisms on the one hand, while providing many novel potential targets for intervention on the other hand.

"We have previously reported the PROphet platform as a novel proteomic predictor for immunotherapy efficacy in NSCLC. In this paper we describe the rationale and cancer-related functions of these resistance associated proteins. The therapeutic implications are substantial and should facilitate personalized medicine approaches for our patients" said Dr. David Gandara, Medical Oncologist & clinical-translational researcher in lung cancer, Co-Director-Center for Experimental Therapeutics, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and Clinical Advisor at OncoHost.

The RAPs explored in the study offer potential utility beyond prediction—they may help direct future clinical trial designs and treatment selection based on individual patient biology. This could result in more effective use of existing immunotherapies, reduced exposure to ineffective treatments, and new opportunities for combination approaches tailored to resistance mechanisms. By extending the understanding of the underlying RAP biology, this new research strengthens the clinical rationale for incorporating plasma proteomics into routine treatment planning for NSCLC.

On May 29, 2025 CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, reported that members of its senior management team are scheduled to participate in the following investor conferences in June (Press release, CRISPR Therapeutics, MAY 29, 2025, View Source [SID1234653482]).

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William Blair’s 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Time: 11:20 a.m. CT

Goldman Sachs’ 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference
Date: Monday, June 9, 2025
Time: 3:20 p.m. ET

A live webcast will be available on the "Events & Presentations" page in the Investors section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcasts will be archived on the Company’s website for 14 days following the presentation.

On May 29, 2025 The National Medical Products Administration reported that it has recently granted approval for Trastuzumab rezetecan, China’s first domestically developed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), for treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations who have previously received at least one systemic therapy (Press release, Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, MAY 29, 2025, View Source [SID1234653497]).

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The approval of Trastuzumab rezetecan was based on the pivotal HORIZON-Lung study led by Professor Lu Shun at Shanghai Chest Hospital, which demonstrated groundbreaking efficacy in HER2-mutant locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients who have received prior systemic therapy. The trial achieved a median follow-up of 14.2 months, an IRC-confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 74.5%, and a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 11.5 months—thereby doubling the efficacy of conventional treatments. In addition, Trastuzumab rezetecan significantly reduced the toxicity risks typically associated with conventional ADCs. These results have redefined global benchmarks for ADC research and garnered significant attention from the international scientific community.

Trastuzumab rezetecan has achieved breakthroughs in both efficacy and safety through pioneering molecular design from the ground up, a milestone made possible by Hengrui Pharmaceuticals’ decade-long development of its ADC R&D platform, the Hengrui Rapid Modular ADC Platform (HRMAP). HRMAP enables end-to-end capabilities spanning molecular design, preclinical optimization, and clinical translation. To date, Hengrui has advanced over 10 differentiated ADC candidates into clinical development, including Trastuzumab rezetecan, its flagship HER2-targeted ADC therapy.

Shun Lu, MD, PhD, Director of oncology department (Shanghai Lung Tumor Clinical Medical Center)，China, and principal investigator of Horizon-Lung, said, "the HORIZON-Lung study validates Trastuzumab rezetecan as a transformative therapy for HER2-mutant NSCLC, addressing a critical unmet need for advanced HER2-driven NSCLC patients in China. Grounded in epidemiological data that accurately reflect China’s NSCLC epidemiological landscape, this therapeutic advance not only provides a novel treatment option for patients, but also heralds China’s emergence as a pioneering force in shaping the global ADC landscape for precision oncology.

Beyond its established efficacy in lung cancer, Trastuzumab rezetecan has demonstrated significant clinical advances across multiple tumor types, with eight additional indications—including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, biliary tract cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer—receiving Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

On May 29, 2025 CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTMX), a leader in the field of masked, conditionally activated biologics, reported that Sean McCarthy, D.Phil., chief executive officer and chairman, will participate in a fireside chat at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2:35 p.m. ET (Press release, CytomX Therapeutics, MAY 29, 2025, View Source [SID1234653483]).

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Events and Presentations page of CytomX’s website at www.cytomx.com. In addition, management will be available for one-on-one meetings with investors who are registered to attend the conference.

On May 29, 2025 BioVaxys Technology Corp. (CSE: BIOV) (FRA: 5LB) ("BioVaxys" or the "Company") reported that the Company and Horizon Technology Finance Corporation ("Horizon") have executed a follow-on Amendment ("Amendment") to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated February 11th, 2024 ("APA") for acquiring the entire portfolio of assets and intellectual property based on the DPX immune educating platform technology developed by Canadian biotechnology company, IMV Inc (Press release, BioVaxys Technology, MAY 29, 2025, View Source [SID1234653498]).

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Section 12 of the February 11th, 2024 APA is a performance milestone provision for BioVaxys to demonstrate an aggregate capital raise of USD $10M by December 31, 2024. On December 9th, 2024, Horizon and BioVaxys initially amended the APA by agreeing to delete the reference to "December 31, 2024" found in Section 12 and replacing it with the date of "June 30, 2025."

This new Amendment of May 29th, 2025, supersedes and replaces the Section 12 terms of the APA so that the net performance milestone required to be raised in any form (including, but not limited to equity, grants, licensing fees, or loans) is now significantly lowered to USD $2,028,636. If BioVaxys is successful in meeting this milestone by September 30, 2025, Section 12 of the APA shall end and be of no further force or effect.

As consideration for Horizon amending the APA, BioVaxys agrees to issue to Horizon 2,800,000 share purchase warrants and 1,200,000 share purchase warrants to Powerscourt Investments XXV LP ("Powerscourt"), with each warrant entitling Horizon and Powercourt the purchase of one whole at a purchase price of $0.06 Canadian Dollars per share at any time on or before May 31, 2028. Horizon and Powerscourt are the members/owners of HIMV LLC (70%/30%), the party to the APA. All other terms and conditions of the APA to remain the same.

BioVaxys and Horizon have further agreed that Section 7(c)(i) of the APA "Licensing Earn-Out Payments Term" be amended from the original "Eighth anniversary of the Closing Date" found in the last line of Section 7(c)(i) to August 11, 2033. During the Licensing Non-Sales Earn-Out Term, BioVaxys shares a predetermined percentage of net licensing non-sales revenues with Horizon.

The "Licensing Non-Sales Earn-Out Term" refers to payments received from an existing licensee or preexisting potential licensee, ending upon the expiration of the last valid claim of a former IMV patent that is the subject of the license agreement to which such existing licensee or preexisting potential licensee is party, and any other payment received under a license agreement, ending on August 11, 2033.