On October 22, 2025 Aurigene Oncology Limited, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies in oncology, reported that it will present new data from its proprietary Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) and Proximity Inducer Platform (A-PROX) at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC AACR-NCI-EORTC (Free AACR-NCI-EORTC Whitepaper) International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (EORTC-NCI-AACR) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) being held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA, from October 22–26, 2025.

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Aurigene’s A-PROX platform integrates library screening, direct-to-biology chemistries, proprietary ternary complex assays, modelling algorithms, and structure-based design to accelerate the discovery and optimization of both protein degraders, molecular glues and proximity inducers.

Through this integrated approach, Aurigene has advanced a strong pre-clinical portfolio of next-generation degraders, including a SMARCA2-selective degrader, which recently received Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA); a pan-KRAS degrader; a SMARCA4-selective degrader; and a p300 degrader.

"Our A-PROX platform represents a significant step forward in the rational discovery of targeted protein degraders and molecular glues," said Dr. Murali Ramachandra, CEO of Aurigene Oncology Ltd. "We are excited to share our progress at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC conference and continue advancing differentiated therapies that have the potential to transform cancer treatment."

These programmes underscore Aurigene’s capability to deliver potent, paralogue-selective, and mutant-agnostic degraders, enabling the targeting of previously undruggable oncology pathways. Aurigene’s proprietary long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation has enabled infrequent intravenous dosing, just once every three weeks for most molecules, while maintaining excellent efficacy.

Poster Presentations

Title: Identification of an orally bio-available SMARCA2 selective degrader for treatment of SMARCA4 mutant cancers
Presenting Author: Susanta Samajdar
Presentation Date/Time: Oct 25 12:30-4PM ET
Abstract Number: C025

This presentation describes the identification and characterization of an orally bioavailable SMARCA2 degrader with good potency and selectivity over SMARCA4. SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 regulate chromatin architecture by mobilizing and repositioning nucleosomes on DNA, which is critical for various genomic functions, including transcriptional regulation, DNA recombination and repair, and mitotic chromosome segregation. Loss-of-function mutations or silencing of SMARCA4 are frequently observed in multiple cancer types, where tumorigenesis becomes dependent on the residual SMARCA2 degrader with good potency and selectivity over SMARCA4. In this study, the lead SMARCA2 degrader demonstrated potent antitumor activity, driven by efficient SMARCA2 degradation, in multiple SMARCA4-deficient cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) models at well-tolerated dose levels. Additionally, with the use of Aurigene’s proprietary long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation, AUR110, a candidate with US-FDA clearance for first-in-human studies, has shown potent and comparable anti-tumor activity following once every three week intravenous dosing.

Aurigene will also be showcasing other pipeline programmes in poster presentations at the conference, including:

Title: Discovery and development of a highly differentiated, efficacious, first-in-class anti-SIRPα/β dual antibody with single agent phagocytosis activity
Presenting Author: Subhra Chakrabarty
Presentation Date/Time: Oct 24 12:30-4PM ET
Abstract Number: B077

Title: Discovery and preclinical characterization of novel macrocyclic KIF18A inhibitors for treatment of chromosomally instable tumors
Presenting Author: Susanta Samajdar
Presentation Date/Time: Oct 23 12:30-4PM ET
Abstract Number: A030

Title: Development of a Differentiated, Best-in-Class oral Cbl-b inhibitor with Robust Immune Activation and Favourable Safety for Cancer Immunotherapy
Presenting Author: Susanta Samajdar
Presentation Date/Time: Oct 25 12:30-4PM ET
Abstract Number: C059

(Press release, Aurigene Discovery Technologies, OCT 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234656910])

On October 22, 2025 Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY), a global specialty-care biopharmaceutical company, reported its sales for the year to date and the third quarter of 2025 (Press release, Ipsen, OCT 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234661389]).

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On October 22, 2025 Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI) ("Calidi" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of systemically delivered, targeted genetic medicines, reported the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of leading industry and academic researchers in with deep expertise in drug development.

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The SAB will work with Calidi to further develop its RedTail platform and advance CLD-401 into the clinic. RedTail is Calidi’s groundbreaking approach to genetic medicines that utilizes an enveloped form of vaccinia virus genetically engineered to overexpress CD55 and avoid immune clearance, allowing for systemic delivery and targeting of genetic medicine payload(s) to sites of disease.

CLD-401, the first lead from the RedTail platform, is designed to home to metastatic sites after systemic administration, replicate only in tumors cells, induce an immune priming event at the tumor site, and express high levels of IL-15 superagonist in the tumor microenvironment, a potent cytokine that induces NK and T-cell responses to the tumor.

"We are excited to have such an internationally esteemed group of advisors working with the company," said Eric Poma, Ph.D., CEO of Calidi. "We believe their insight and experience will help guide the efficient development of CLD-401 into the clinic and advance what the utility of the RedTail platform in oncology and beyond."

Founding members of Calidi’s new Scientific Advisory Board are:

Mace L. Rothenberg, MD, FACP, is a physician-executive with more than 30 years of experience in drug development, translational research, and risk-benefit assessment.

Mace Rothenberg, MD is President and Executive Director of the Museum of Medicine and Biomedical Discovery. His nearly 40-year career has spanned government, academia, industry, and the not-for-profit sector. Prior to his current role, Dr. Rothenberg was Chief Medical Officer of Pfizer from 2019 to 2021, during which time the company developed and received Emergency Use Authorization for Comirnity, its Covid-19 vaccine. Prior to that role, Mace was Chief Development Officer/Head of Clinical Development & Medical Affairs for Pfizer Oncology. Over the course of 10 years in that role, his organization developed and obtained regulatory approval for 11 new cancer medicines. Prior to joining Pfizer, Dr. Rothenberg was Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (1991-1998) and Vanderbilt University (1998-2008). Dr. Rothenberg began his career as Special Assistant to the Director, Division of Cancer Treatment at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland (1988-1991).

Dr. Rothenberg received his BA magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, his MD from New York University, his post-graduate training in Internal Medicine at Vanderbilt, and his medical oncology training at the National Cancer Institute. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), and the New York Academy of Medicine.

Mace serves as a director of Tango Therapeutics, Surrozen, and Aulos Biosciences. He is chairman of the board of Chiara Biosciences. He also serves on the board of several non-profit organizations including the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), NashBio, and the Councils of Advisors for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences.

Dmitriy Zamarin MD, PhD, is a medical oncologist and Section Head of Gynecologic Medical Oncology and Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for Gynecologic Cancer and a world leader in virotherapy for cancer.

Dr. Dmitriy Zamarin is a member of the Icahn Genomics Institute and the Precision Immunology Institute at The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Prior to Mount Sinai, Dmitriy spent a decade as a faculty and Translational Research Director in Gynecologic Medical Oncology at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center before transitioning to his current role in September of 2023.

Dr. Zamarin has served as a principal investigator and a translational chair on multiple institutional and cooperative group clinical trials exploring novel immunotherapy combinations in gynecologic cancers and other solid tumors and serves as the translational research co-chair on the NRG Oncology Cervical Cancer committee. In the laboratory, his research uses mouse models to explore the mechanisms of tumor-immune system interactions and to develop novel therapeutics, with particular focus on oncolytic viruses, vaccines, and targeted therapies. For his work Dr. Zamarin has received awards and funding from multiple organizations including Damon Runyon Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, Department of Defense, and R01 grants from the National Cancer Institute.

John Wrangle, MD, MPH, is a thoracic oncologist and scientist and an expert in translation immunotherapy with extensive experience around IL-15-based treatment in metastatic cancer

Dr. John M. Wrangle is Associate Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and holds the SmartState Burtschy Family Distinguished Endowed Chair in Lung Cancer Research.  He is a thoracic medical oncologist focused on developing novel immunotherapy and gene-based strategies for non–small cell lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies.

Dr. Wrangle completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Emory University, followed by fellowship training in Hematology and Medical Oncology at Johns Hopkins University.  He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.

In his clinical-translational work, Dr. Wrangle led the Phase 2 trial combining PD-1 checkpoint blockade with the IL-15 superagonist ALT-803 (now known as N-803), demonstrating tumor responses in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (Lancet Oncology, Wrangle et al. 2018).

Dr. Wrangle also leads efforts to translate lab discoveries into clinical trials, with recent support from the Department of Defense Lung Cancer Research Program to pursue gene-therapy–inspired cancer strategies.  He is deeply committed to reducing disparities in lung cancer care in underserved populations in South Carolina, aiming to bring cutting-edge therapies to patients outside major academic centers.

David T. Curiel, MD, PhD is a world leader in cancer immunotherapy and cancer virotherapy.

Dr. David T. Curiel is a tenured Professor in the Cancer Biology Division of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.  Dr. Curiel earned his MD from Emory University in 1982 and subsequently completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Emory.

Dr. Curiel’s research has centered on engineering viral vectors for gene therapy, virotherapy, and vaccine development, with an emphasis on improving tumor targeting, immune evasion, and durable therapeutic effects.  His oncolytic virus efforts include translation toward clinical trials in glioblastoma, among other cancers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Curiel collaborated in developing a nasal vaccine delivered via adenovirus that elicits mucosal and systemic immunity; this vaccine has been licensed for development and has achieved regulatory authorizations in India.  He has been recognized with innovation awards for this work.

In recognition of his contributions to viral vector–based therapeutics and translation, Dr. Curiel was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.  He is also a co-founder of biotech companies (e.g. DNAtrix, Precision Virologics) focused on translating gene- and virus-based therapies to the clinic.

(Press release, Calidi Biotherapeutics, OCT 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234656895])

On October 22, 2025 Forlong Biotechnology, a clinical-stage biotech company focusing on developing transformative cytokine therapies for patients with severe unmet needs, reported that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc., (2696.HK) ("Henlius") to develop innovative cancer immunotherapy with an engineered cytokine.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Forlong will fuse a monoclonal antibody against a specific target selected by Henlius in a site-specific manner, with an engineered cytokine. In exchange, Forlong will receive an undisclosed upfront sponsor fee and research milestone payments, and upon reaching a predetermined development milestone, further licensing fee payments.

Forlong has developed a portfolio of engineered cytokines aiming to activate specific subpopulations of the immune system. FL115 is an interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist to stimulate natural killer (NK) cells and memory T cells, showing favorable safety profile and preliminary clinical responses in multiple Phase I studies in China and US, and is currently being advanced to combo therapy with PD-(L)1 antibodies in Phase I for patients with advanced solid tumors and combo therapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in Phase II for patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). FL116 is a human anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody site-specifically fused to an interleukin-18 (IL-18) variant with minimal binding affinity to the IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), to preferentially activate T cells expressing both PD-1 and IL-18 receptors, and is in Preclinical Development Candidate Stage. Early research programs include cytokine-fusion proteins to activate naïve T cells and others being developed with proprietary Syntokine Synthetic Cytokine Platform and AI-driven Intelligent Biomolecular Discovery Platform.

"Recent progress in cancer immunotherapy has shown tremendous advancement in harnessing power of engineered cytokines through fusion with target proteins to activate desired segments of the immune system with precision," said Dong Wei, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Forlong Biotechnology, "we are very excited by this collaboration, and will continue to further develop cytokine fusion proteins for target-specific immunostimulatory activity to significantly improve therapeutic outcome, through our internal programs such as FL115 and FL116 as well as additional partnership in the future".

"We are pleased to collaborate with Forlong Biotech to explore new frontiers in cancer immunotherapy," said Jijun Yuan, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Henlius. "By leveraging Forlong’s synthetic cytokine platform for engineered cytokines and Henlius’ profound expertise in the ​full-cycle​development of biologics, we will join forces to accelerate the development of novel therapies that can bring clinical benefits to cancer patients."

(Press release, Forlong Biotechnology, OCT 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234656911])

On October 22, 2025 Ipsen reported third quarter 2025 results (Presentation, Ipsen, OCT 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234661390]).

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