On February 10, 2026 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519, hereafter "Chugai") and Araris Biotech AG (hereafter "Araris") reported that Chugai has exercised its option under the Research Collaboration and Option to License Agreement ("RCO") previously announced by Araris in 2025. The exercised option grants Chugai a license to Araris’ proprietary AraLinQ linker-payload platform for the generation of novel ADCs against one target selected by Chugai.

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"Araris’ innovative AraLinQ technology is expected to deliver therapeutic effects in a tumor-selective manner by efficiently conjugating multiple anticancer payloads to a single antibody. By combining this technology with our core strength in antibody engineering, we aim to create innovative cancer therapeutics with enhanced efficacy and safety," said Dr. Osamu Okuda, President and CEO of Chugai.

"We are very pleased that Chugai has elected to exercise its option to license our AraLinQ technology for the development of next-generation ADCs with enhanced efficacy and tolerability. We are proud of the scientific progress achieved through this collaboration to date and look forward to seeing this program advance toward the clinic" said Dr. Dragan Grabulovski, CEO of Araris.

Dr. Filippo Mulinacci, CBO of Araris, stated: "Chugai’s decision to license AraLinQ technology represents a significant milestone for Araris. It further validates the scientific progress achieved by our team and reinforces Araris’ positioning as a partner of choice for the development of highly differentiated, multi-payload ADCs with antibody-like pharmacokinetics and exceptional linker stability."

With the exercise of the option, Araris will receive an immediate upfront payment and may receive additional milestone payments and royalties on potential commercial sales. The overall RCO provides for a total potential consideration of approximately up to USD 780 million, subject to the exercise of all options and achievement of certain milestones.

(Press release, Chugai, FEB 10, 2026, View Source [SID1234662560])

On February 10, 2026 Sutro Biopharma presented its corporate presentation.

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(Presentation, Sutro Biopharma, FEB 10, 2026, View Source [SID1234662605])

On February 10, 2026 Ferronova reported it has completed enrolment of patients for its two-year trial to progress commercialisation of FerroTrace, a novel nanoparticle image-guided surgery solution for hard-to-treat cancers.

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The technology is intended to assist surgeons in identifying lymph nodes involved in metastatic spread, thereby enabling targeted removal and reducing the risk of post-surgical recurrence. The study is the first of its kind in which tracer injection to map lymphatic drainage pathways is performed prior to any chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Key highlights

Patient enrolment has been completed in adults with gastric and oesophageal cancers across five hospital sites in Australia, with a total of 62 patients enrolled, exceeding initial projections.
Evaluations and results from the trial are expected to be available in July 2026.
The trial follows several smaller first-in-human studies conducted between 2020-2024.
FerroTrace addresses an unmet need in surgical guidance for hard-to-treat cancers, with oesophageal and stomach cancers in the world’s top five deadliest cancer types.
Stomach and oesophageal cancers affect more than 1.8 million people worldwide each year, with recurrence after surgery occuring in up to 60% of patients. In Australia, three-year survival for oseophageal cancer remains at just 27%.
FerroTrace uses super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles that bind to cells within lymph nodes. The technology is designed to support more precise surgery, helping surgeons to identify and remove cancer-affected lymph nodes that are frequently missed during standard procedures.

Stewart Bartlett Chief Executive Officer of Ferronova said he was delighted that the trial had completed recruitment.

"The investigators at the Royal Adelaide, Queen Elizabeth, Flinders, Austin Hospital, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have done an amazing job recruiting patients in a relatively short time. We are looking forward to working with them to complete the final follow-up visits and analyse the data."

"We hope to give surgeons the opportunity to work with greater diagnostic accuracy and precision, enabling less invasive surgery in some patients, and more precise surgery overall, ensuring all cancer-affected lymph nodes are identified and removed. This trial is an important step in validating our technology as we move towards commercial availability."

Appointment of new advisory board member
Ferronova has also appointed a new scientific advisory board member with Ms Aki Smith, a patient advocate, taking up the role this month. Ms Smith founded the US-based charity ‘Hope for Stomach Cancer’ following her father’s diagnosis. The charity provides resources and support to those living with stomach cancer and their families.

Mr Bartlett welcomed Ms Smith to the advisory board, saying her lived experience will help to inform future trial design and innovations.

"The role of Ms Smith and other members for the scientific advisory board is very important to our company. Ferronova is deeply committed to finding new solutions for those affected by these aggressive and difficult to treat cancers.

"We are very supportive of patients having a greater voice in the development and evaluation of new treatments, including those involving our technology."

(Press release, Ferronova, FEB 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234662578])

On February 10, 2026 Defence Therapeutics Inc. ("Defence" or the "Company"), a publicly traded biotechnology and precision intracellular drug-delivery company, reported on its Scientific Advisory Board ("SAB") meeting held on January 30, 2026, focused on advancing the strategic positioning of Accum for antibody–drug conjugate ("ADC") applications.

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The discussion brought together complementary expertise spanning ADC chemistry and development, experimental design and translational science, and value creation and partnering strategy, enabling an in-depth and highly constructive exchange on Accum’s role in improving intracellular delivery of ADC payloads. The conversation focused on identifying the most critical scientific questions to address, refining development priorities, and aligning data generation with the expectations of future clinical and pharmaceutical partners.

"This was an exceptionally valuable discussion that helped us sharpen both our scientific focus and our strategic direction," said Maxime Parisotto, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Defence Therapeutics. "The insights shared by our advisors are directly informing how we design our next studies, ensuring that we generate the data that matter most to advance Accum toward the clinic and position the platform for meaningful partnerships."

The discussion benefited from the complementary expertise of Rob Leanna, PhD, whose experience in ADC development, drug–linker chemistry, and clinical advancement was shaped through his long tenure at AbbVie; Danny Chui, PhD, who brought deep insight into ADC design and translational science informed by his significant work at Zymeworks, Abdera Therapeutics, and Kairos Therapeutics; and Brendan Hussey, PhD, who contributed a value-creation and partnering perspective grounded in clinical development, strategy, and capital formation. Together, their input is guiding the next phase of Accum development as the platform advances toward clinical translation and strategic partnerships.

As a result of this multidisciplinary dialogue, Defence Therapeutics is refining its Accum ADC development roadmap to better align platform capabilities with clinical development requirements and partnering considerations, with the goal of enabling more effective and better-tolerated ADC therapies. This approach reinforces Accum’s potential as a next-generation intracellular delivery solution for complex biologics. To explore partnering opportunities or schedule a meeting, please contact [email protected].

(Press release, Defence Therapeutics, FEB 10, 2026, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=defence-therapeutics-aligns-accum-adc-strategy-through-multidisciplinary-scientific-advisory-board [SID1234662562])

On February 10, 2026 Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative medicines in the field of immunotherapy, reported that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of $300,000,000 of its shares of its common stock and, in lieu of common stock to certain investors, pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of its common stock. All of the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants to be sold in this offering are being offered by Nektar. In addition, Nektar intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $45,000,000 of shares of its common stock at the public offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The proposed offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.

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Nektar intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include research and development, clinical development (including Phase 3 trials for rezpegaldesleukin) and manufacturing costs to support the advancement of its drug candidates, as well as other general corporate purposes.

Jefferies, TD Cowen, and Piper Sandler are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the offering.

The securities described above are being offered pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR (No. 333-291466) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 12, 2025 and automatically became effective upon filing. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus that form a part of the registration statement.

A preliminary prospectus supplement related to and describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus related to the offering may also be obtained, when available, from Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (877) 821-7388, or by email at [email protected]; TD Securities (USA) LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or by email at [email protected]; or Piper Sandler & Co., 350 North 5th Street, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55401, Attention: Prospectus Department, by telephone at (800) 747-3924, or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that state or jurisdiction.

(Press release, Nektar Therapeutics, FEB 10, 2026, View Source [SID1234662579])