On February 17, 2026 Flashpoint Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of structural nanomedicines, reported a major, peer-reviewed publication demonstrating the power of its Spherical Nucleic Acid (SNA) platform in immuno-oncology. The study, led by Flashpoint’s scientific co-founder Professor Chad A. Mirkin at the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University, describes a novel therapeutic vaccine that generates a potent and targeted immune response against established human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven cancers in a preclinical animal model.

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The research, published in the journal Science Advances, details a structurally novel vaccine design where an HPV antigen and a powerful immune-stimulating adjuvant are co-engineered onto a single SNA scaffold. This architecture is the key to the vaccine’s success, ensuring both components are delivered to the same immune cells in the lymph nodes, resulting in a highly coordinated and robust anti-tumor response. In humanized mouse models of HPV-positive cancer, the therapeutic vaccine significantly slowed tumor growth and extended survival.

Key findings from the study highlight the unique advantages of Flashpoint’s structural nanomedicine approach:

Potent Immune Activation: The SNA vaccine elicited a strong T-cell response specifically directed at cancer cells expressing the HPV E7 antigen.
Superior Efficacy Through Co-delivery: The SNA structure, which guarantees co-delivery of the antigen and adjuvant, was critical for generating a powerful therapeutic effect.
Therapeutic, Not Just Prophylactic: Unlike existing HPV vaccines to prevent infection, this SNA-based approach is designed to treat active, established cancers caused by the virus.
A key insight from the publication is the mechanism behind the SNA vaccine’s enhanced potency. The research demonstrates that the specific placement and orientation of the antigen within the SNA is critical for its therapeutic effect. Unlike simple mixtures where the tumor antigen and the adjuvant can be taken up by different cells, the SNA platform ensures that both components are delivered as a single unit to the same antigen-presenting cells. This simultaneous co-delivery within the lymph nodes generates a more powerful and coordinated T-cell response, effectively training the immune system to seek out and destroy cancer cells.

"This publication highlights the fundamental advantage of structural nanomedicine," said Venkat Krishnamurthy, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Flashpoint Therapeutics. "By precisely engineering how therapeutic components are arranged and presented at the nanoscale, we can generate biological responses that exceed what is achieved when the same components are delivered conventionally. In this study, that architectural control translated into coordinated immune activation, tumor growth suppression, and improved survival. It is an important validation of our SNA platform and supports our strategy to advance therapeutic cancer vaccines and other immuno-oncology applications."

Barry Labinger, Chief Executive Officer of Flashpoint Therapeutics, added, "These results strengthen our conviction that structural design is a powerful lever in medicine. We are focused on translating this platform into clinically meaningful therapies and building a pipeline that leverages this differentiated approach."

HPV is the leading cause of cervical, anal, and head and neck cancers. While prophylactic vaccines against HPV are effective, there remains a significant unmet need for better treatments for patients who are unvaccinated and develop advanced HPV-related malignancies.

(Press release, Flashpoint Therapeutics, FEB 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234662737])

On February 17, 2026 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) reported that the company plans to present at the T.D. Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference in Boston on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 9:10 a.m. ET.

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The link to the live audio webcast and replay of the presentation may be accessed in the Investors & Media section of BioCryst’s website at www.biocryst.com.

(Press release, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, FEB 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234662704])

On February 17, 2026 Oncoinvent (OSE: ONCIN), a biotech developing a receptor-independent alpha radiopharmaceutical to eradicate cancer cells in the abdominal cavity after surgery with a single, targeted dose, reported that it will present final 24‑month results from its RAD-18-001 Phase 1 study of Radspherin after cytoreductive surgery in patients with platinum‑sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer and peritoneal recurrence at the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) 2026 Congress, taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 26-28 February 2026.

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Radspherin is an intraperitoneal alpha-emitting therapy (224Ra-labeled microparticles), targeting remaining cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue within the peritoneal cavity to address microscopic residual disease following cytoreductive surgery, to prevent recurrence and enhance long-term patient outcomes.

The poster presentation, titled ‘Safety and efficacy results from a phase 1 study of intraperitoneal alpha-emitting radium-224 labelled microparticles after cytoreductive surgery in patients with peritoneal recurrence of platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer,’ will share final 24-month data from the Phase 1 study detailing:

21 patients enrolled across dose levels with a favourable safety profile and no dose‑limiting toxicities observed
No grade ≥3 adverse events considered related to Radspherin
Recommended dose selected at 7 MBq following dose escalation
Durable local disease control signal at 24 months: only 1 of 10 patients treated at the recommended dose experienced peritoneal recurrence
"We are pleased to present our Phase 1 data at the ESGO 27th Annual Meeting, an important forum for sharing findings with the international gynecologic oncology community. These encouraging data reflect the collaborative efforts of the study team and the potential of Radspherin to address a patient population with high risk of peritoneal recurrence and poor prognosis," said Yun Wang, MD, PhD, Department for Cancer Surgery, Section for Gynecological Oncology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, principal investigator in the RAD-18-001 trial.

Chief Medical Offer Kari Myren at Oncoinvent added, "We remain committed to advancing Radspherin in the Phase 2 trial and to further evaluating its potential to benefit patients with ovarian cancer."

Details of the presentation are as follows:

Poster title: Safety and efficacy results from a phase 1 study of intraperitoneal alpha-emitting radium-224 labelled microparticles after cytoreductive surgery in patients with peritoneal recurrence of platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer
Presenter: Yun Wang, Department of Surgical Oncology Section of Gynaecological Cancer, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital
Authors: Y. Wang1, E. Van Nieuwenhuysen2, L. Chiva3, E. Chacon4, M-E. Revheim1,5, CM. Deroose2, L. Sancho3, JJ. Rosales Castillo4, A-K. Aksnes6, K. Myren6, I. Vergote2, ØS. Bruland1,5
Session title: Poster walk
Session date and time: 27 February 2026, 17:20-18:20 CET
Location: Exhibition
Abstract ID: 938

(Press release, Oncoinvent, FEB 17, 2026, https://www.oncoinvent.com/press-release/oncoinvent-to-present-positive-24-month-follow-up-data-from-phase-1-ovarian-cancer-study-of-radspherin-at-esgo-2026/ [SID1234662722])

On February 17, 2026 Personalis, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSNL), a leader in advanced genomics for precision oncology, reported that its management team will be attending the TD Cowen 46th Annual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, MA.

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(Press release, Personalis, FEB 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234662738])

On February 17, 2026 Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted a New Drug Application (NDA) for iberdomide combined with standard treatment (daratumumab + dexamethasone – IberDd) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Iberdomide is part of an investigational, new class of medicines called cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agents. The FDA has granted a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of August 17, 2026 for this indication.

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"The FDA’s acceptance of this application is a testament to the potential of iberdomide, in combination with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, as a novel, potent, oral treatment option, with a manageable safety profile, for patients with multiple myeloma," said Cristian Massacesi, executive vice president and chief medical officer, Bristol Myers Squibb. "Furthermore, our filing for iberdomide based on the MRD endpoint, underscores our commitment to pioneering new ways of advancing life-saving therapies for patients living with cancer."

The filing was based on results from a planned analysis of MRD negativity rates in the Phase 3 EXCALIBER-RRMM study evaluating iberdomide as a treatment for RRMM patients. The EXCALIBER-RRMM trial is ongoing and patients continue to be evaluated for progression-free survival (PFS).

The FDA also granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for iberdomide based on these data.

This review is being conducted under the FDA’s Project Orbis initiative, which enables concurrent review by the health authorities in several other countries.

Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved with the Phase 3 EXCALIBER study.

About EXCALIBER-RRMM

EXCALIBER-RRMM (NCT04975997) is a Phase 3, multicenter, two-stage, randomized, open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of iberdomide in combination with daratumumab and dexamethasone (IberDd) versus daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (DVd) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The study is designed to assess dual-primary endpoints of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity and progression-free survival (PFS), with additional secondary endpoints including overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), time to progression (TTP), time to next treatment (TTNT), and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Stage 1 of the study identified 1.0 mg iberdomide as the optimal dose based on safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy data. In Stage 2, approximately 664 patients were randomized to receive either IberDd or DVd.

About Minimal Residual Disease (MRD)

Minimal residual disease (MRD) refers to the small number of cancer cells that may remain in a patient’s body after treatment and are undetectable using conventional diagnostic methods. In multiple myeloma, MRD assessment has emerged as a highly sensitive and clinically meaningful tool for evaluating treatment response. MRD negativity does not necessarily mean all cancer cells are gone, but it may predict improved clinical outcomes, including longer remission and survival.

Modern MRD detection methods, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and next-generation flow cytometry (NGF), can identify one malignant cell among 100,000 (threshold for MRD) to 1,000,000 normal cells, offering unprecedented precision in measuring disease burden. MRD is increasingly being used in clinical trials as a surrogate endpoint for progression-free survival (PFS) and is gaining recognition from regulatory authorities for its role in accelerating therapeutic development.

About Targeted Protein Degradation and Novel CELMoD Agents

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is a differentiated research platform at Bristol Myers Squibb built on more than two decades of scientific expertise, providing new avenues to degrade therapeutically relevant proteins that were previously considered "undruggable." BMS is the only company that has successfully developed and commercialized protein degrader agents for the treatment of multiple myeloma. These agents, known as immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), helped establish the current standard of care in the treatment of this disease, which remains without a cure. BMS is building on this foundation with several investigational protein degraders in clinical trials, leveraging three different modalities including CELMoD agents, ligand-directed degraders (LDDs), and degrader antibody conjugates (DACs). This three-pronged approach enables matching the right therapeutic modality to a molecular mechanism of action to modulate targets most effectively and ultimately provide more opportunities for potential breakthroughs that may offer meaningful new options for patients across a broad range of diseases, in and beyond hematology and oncology. Learn more about the science behind TPD at Bristol Myers Squibb here.