On April 17, 2026 Biolojic Design, a biotechnology company that uses AI to transform antibodies into multifunctional, programmable medicines, reported new preclinical data demonstrating the strong anti-tumor properties of its multibody-drug conjugate BD200. The data are being presented at the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, being held April 17-22, 2026 in San Diego.

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"We’re excited to share data from the first ever multibody-drug conjugate, which has the potential to transform ADC technology and, as our data suggest, lead to more efficacious and safer treatment," said Yanay Ofran, PhD, CEO and founder of Biolojic Design. "The unique ability of a multibody to adapt to the heterogeneity of tumor antigen expression makes it an ideal base for an ADC, potentially enhancing anti-tumor activity while reducing the amount of drug needed to dose. Combined with the linker/payload we designed, BD200 has a dramatically improved therapeutic index compared to other ADCs. We look forward to initiating our first clinical trial of BD200 later this year."

BD200 is a multibody-drug conjugate, an ADC that is based on a multibody, a new kind of AI-designed antibody that can conditionally bind to multiple targets while maintaining the natural format of a human IgG antibody. Unlike conventional bi-specific antibodies, which have fixed binding profiles, each arm of BD200 can bind to either Trop-2 or Nectin-4. While both may be expressed by a cancer cell, the unique ability of each arm of BD200 to bind to either target helps it overcome target expression heterogeneity while maintaining full avidity on cells. This enables BD200 to deliver more of its cytotoxic payload to the tumor and reduce off tumor and systemic toxicity.

The data being presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) show:

BD200 demonstrated strong anti-tumor responses across patient derived xenografts of triple negative breast cancer, bladder, cervical and esophageal cancer, as well as gastric cancer in cell line-derived xenograft models
BD200 showed strong activity in tumor models derived from patients that were resistant to other ADCs
In mice bearing human tumors that developed resistance to other ADCs, BD200 led to deep regressions, even in larger tumors (tumor volume >2000mm3)
BD200 demonstrated superior uptake in a Trop-2/Nectin-4 dual-expressing breast cancer cell line when compared to currently marketed antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates that bind to either Trop-2 or Nectin-4 alone
In cell lines resistant to ADCs that bind only to Nectin-4, switching to BD200 restored potent anti-tumor activity

About BD200

BD200 is a potent, first-in-class multibody-drug conjugate that targets two proteins,Trop-2 and Nectin-4, that are co-expressed in various solid tumors, including bladder, breast, lung and head and neck cancers. These proteins drive tumor progression, adhesion, and metastasis. Their expression can be heterogeneous, meaning that patients’ tumors may express these proteins at varying levels. By flexibly targeting both Trop-2 and Nectin-4, BD200 has the potential for enhanced activity, despite the heterogenous expression of the individual targets. BD200 has shown significant anti-tumor activity across multiple human tumor models.

(Press release, Biolojic Design, APR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234664513])

On April 17, 2026 Adagene Inc. ("Adagene") (Nasdaq: ADAG), a company transforming the discovery and development of novel antibody-based therapies, reported new data from two ongoing Phase 1b/2 studies of muzastotug in triple combination regimens at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting 2026, held April 17-22 in San Diego. Results support muzastotug’s mechanistic advantages over traditional anti-CTLA-4 therapies, and its continued development as a potential backbone therapy in combination regimens for difficult-to-treat cancers. FDA has previously designated muzastotug in combination with Merck’s (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), as a Fast Track product for adult patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer (MSS mCRC) without current or active liver metastases.

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"At AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper), Adagene shared new data from two triplet regimens supporting muzastotug’s potential as a combination backbone for multiple tumor types, said Peter Luo, Ph.D., CEO and President of R&D at Adagene. In HCC, adding muzastotug to the atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combo resulted in higher efficacy, with a safety profile consistent with historical studies of the doublet alone. In MSS CRC, adding muzastotug to pembrolizumab plus fruquintinib showed dose-dependent response rates, with no DLTs or Grade 4 or 5 treatment related adverse events. As muzastotug continues to generate more data in additional settings, we are increasingly convinced that its intentionally designed wider therapeutic index has potential to improve the efficacy of current immunotherapies without worsening the toxicity for patients with difficult to treat solid tumors."

Final copies of the two posters from AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) can be found on the Pipeline Publications section of the company’s website.

AACR Poster Presentations

Abstract CT054

The MORPHEUS-Liver study (NCT04524871) is a Phase 1b/2 open-label randomized umbrella study designed to evaluate immunotherapy-based combinations as first line therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As of July 11, 2025, six patients had been randomized to the triple combination of muzastotug (6 mg/kg Q6W), atezolizumab and bevacizumab and 40 patients had received atezolizumab and bevacizumab in the active control arm. Interim results from patients in the muzastotug arm (18.8 months median duration of follow-up) demonstrated a 66.7% overall response rate (ORR; 4/6) using HCC-specified modified RECIST v1.1 criteria1. ORR was 50.0% (3/6) using RECIST v1.1 criteria. The median progression free survival (mPFS) was 8.2 months (same for both RECIST criteria) and the median overall survival (mOS) was not yet reached at the data cut but was greater than 22 months.

These results compared favorably to the 40 patients in the active control arm (17.2 months median duration of follow-up) that demonstrated an ORR of 32.5% (13/40) using HCC-specified modified RECIST v1.1 criteria, mPFS of 5.5 months, and mOS of 17.5 months. Using RECIST v1.1 criteria, the ORR was 17.5% (7/40) and the mPFS was 4.3 months. The mOS in the doublet control arm was largely overlapping with that reported in the IMbrave150 Phase 3 study2,3 (19.2 months), which served as the basis for approval of atezolizumab (Tecentriq) for HCC in 20204.

The triplet regimen of muzastotug, atezolizumab and bevacizumab was well-tolerated with safety data comparable to the doublet active control arm of atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Grade 3 or greater TRAEs were 50% (3/6) in the muzastotug arm and 45% (18/40) in the active control arm, which supports the potential for continuous dosing with muzastotug. Muzastotug was safely administered continuously at 6 mg/kg Q6W in a triplet setting, which is twice the dose of ipilimumab in the currently approved HCC doublet regimen, (capped at 3 mg/kg Q3W for only 4 cycles)5. In addition, encouraging durability was observed with responses maintained beyond 84 weeks in some patients. Ongoing muzastotug plus atezolizumab treatment after bevacizumab discontinuation suggests potential flexibility to modify individual agents during safety-related interruptions while preserving durable clinical benefit.

Abstract CT083

A Phase 1b/2 single arm study (NCT05405595) is evaluating the triple combination of muzastotug, pembrolizumab and fruquintinib in patients with advanced and metastatic microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer (CRC). As of February 21, 2026, nine patients have been treated with the triple combination — four (4) patients at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 6 weeks (Q6W) of muzastotug and five (5) patients at a dose of 15 mg/kg Q6W of muzastotug. All patients were without liver metastases (NLM). Interim results demonstrated a 25% ORR (1/4) among patients in the 10 mg/kg arm (6.7 months median follow-up), and a 40% ORR (2/5) among patients in the 15 mg/kg arm (5.9 months median follow-up).

The triplet regimen was well-tolerated with no new safety signals relative to known CTLA-4, PD-1, and fruquintinib monotherapy and combination safety data. There were no dose-limiting toxicities, 25 – 60% Grade 3 TRAEs, and no Grade 4 or Grade 5 TRAEs. Given that fruquintinib is known to be active in MSS CRC patients with liver metastases, the triple combination may have therapeutic benefit beyond the NLM population being evaluated in this study.

(Press release, Adagene, APR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234664466])

On April 17, 2026 Lunit (KRX:328130), a leading provider of AI for cancer diagnostics and precision oncology, reported six studies at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026, taking place from April 17 to 22 in San Diego, California.

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The presentations highlighted Lunit’s continued advancements in AI-driven biomarker development, tumor microenvironment (TME) analysis, and real-world clinical applicability. Several studies were conducted in collaboration with global partners, including Agilent Technologies.

In a study conducted with Agilent Technologies and Ajou University Medical Center, researchers used Lunit SCOPE IO and uIHC to analyze over 25,000 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples. The results showed that tumors with high c-MET expression exhibited a significant reduction in immune cell density within 30 μm of tumor cells (p<0.001), revealing a spatial immune exclusion pattern not captured by conventional analysis. These findings suggest a potential link between c-MET overexpression and immune evasion, supporting combination strategies involving MET-targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Researchers also present findings from an exploratory analysis of the phase II MOUNTAINEER trial, demonstrating that AI- quantified HER2 expression is strongly associated with treatment response in patients with HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer treated with tucatinib plus trastuzumab. The overall objective response rate (ORR) was 43.4%, increasing to as high as 80% in patients with higher HER2 expression, indicating a clearer dose-dependent relationship. Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) density independently predicted progression-free survival. Notably, patients with low stromal TIL levels showed no response (ORR 0%) and a significantly higher risk of disease progression.

These findings highlight the increasing complexity of biomarker assessment, where both tumor characteristics and immune context need to be considered, underscoring the potential role of AI in supporting treatment decision-making.

In addition to these representative studies, Lunit presented additional research abstracts at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026, further demonstrating the breadth of its AI-powered oncology research. These include studies on

AI-based analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte in NSCLC in collaboration with Dr. David Rimm’s lab at Yale University School of Medicine
AI-based target discovery for bi-specific antibodies
Biomarker research in CD47-targeted therapies
"Our AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) presentations reflect how AI is increasingly translating into real-world clinical impact" said Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit. "Across these studies, we demonstrate how AI-driven biomarkers can enhance precision, deepen our understanding of tumor biology and increasingly support treatment decision-making in clinical practice."

Visit Lunit at Booth #2248 during AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026 to learn more about its latest research and AI-powered solutions in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Lunit’s featured presentations at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026 include:

[Poster #0011/11] Artificial intelligence-based spatial analysis of the local tumor microenvironment in relation to c-MET expression in non-small cell lung cancer
April 19, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Section 1

[Poster #7735/26] HER2 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes predict response to tucatinib plus trastuzumab in HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer (MOUNTAINEER): Exploratory analysis of a multicenter, Phase II trial
April 22, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Section 41

[Poster #4415/23] AI-powered analysis of millions of IHC images identifies 19 spatially highly co-expressed protein pairs to enable bispecific antibody development
April 21, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Section 11

[Poster #0080/11] Quantitative assessment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes using AI in non-small cell lung cancer and association with immunotherapy response
April 19, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Section 4

[Poster #4355/26] Cryo EM-based structural characterization of IMC-002, a next-generation anti-CD47 antibody with a unique binding site and biomarker candidates, supporting evidence of enhanced safety and efficacy
April 21, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Section 9

(Press release, Lunit, APR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234664482])

On April 17, 2026 NEOK Bio, Inc., an oncology therapeutics company focused on the development of novel antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for improving outcomes for cancer patients, reported that two poster presentations highlighting its ADC pipeline will be delivered at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026 taking place April 17-22, 2026, in San Diego, California.

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The AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026 presentations will showcase NEOK’s emerging pipeline of next-generation ADCs engineered to target proteins broadly expressed across tumor types with high unmet need. The company will present new findings for its two lead bispecific candidates: NEOK001, a first-in-class "2+2" bispecific ADC designed to target B7-H3 and ROR1-expressing tumors, and NEOK002, a "1+1" bispecific ADC targeting EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and MUC1 (Mucin 1)-expressing solid tumors. Both therapies utilize Synaffix’s proprietary, validated linker-payload technology with a DAR 4 Topoisomerase-1 (Topo-1) inhibitor, exatecan (SYNtecan E ).

Both programs have received Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and NEOK plans to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials in 2Q 2026, with initial clinical data readouts anticipated in 2027. Both of NEOK’s bispecific ADC candidates will enter the clinic on a foundation of promising preclinical studies, where they have demonstrated superior in vivo efficacy in solid tumors compared to traditional monovalent ADCs.

Preclinical data will be shared in two separate poster presentations on April 20 during the session titled "Antibody Drug Conjugates and Linker Engineering 2" at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026. Highlights of the presentations include:

Poster 1724: NEOK001: A first-in-class B7-H3xROR1 bispecific ADC demonstrated enhanced efficacy and promising tolerability

Potent dual‑target cytotoxicity and strong bystander killing, supporting activity in heterogeneous solid tumors
Broad efficacy across 38 PDX models, achieving 84% tumor growth inhibition and 53% deep tumor regression across nine major cancer types
Outperformed clinical benchmark ADCs, including I‑Dxd and zilovertamab vedotin, and successfully regressed I‑Dxd-treated regrowing tumors
Observed favorable safety profile in GLP toxicology studies (HNSTD: 60 mg/kg) with stable DAR and predictable pharmacokinetics
Poster 1726: NEOK002: Designing an EGFRxMUC1 Bispecific TOP1i ADC with Promising Anti-Tumor Activity and Enhanced Therapeutic Window

Dual-targeting design enhances binding and internalization in dual-positive tumor cells while reducing off‑tumor EGFR engagement
Robust antitumor activity across 36 PDX models, achieving tumor regressions in 78%, including KRAS‑mutant and heavily pretreated tumors
Favorable safety profile with minimal impact on keratinocyte proliferation and reduced inhibition of EGFR signaling versus cetuximab-based ADCs
Strong combination potential sotorasib, enabling extended tumor regression for 58 days in KRAS G12C-mutant models
"These preclinical findings underscore the potential of our next-generation ADC pipeline to overcome the limitations of conventional monovalent designs," said Mayank Gandhi, MD, CEO of NEOK Bio. "As we prepare to accelerate both candidates into clinical development, we look forward to sharing their differentiated mechanisms and compelling pre-clinical activity at ACCR 2026."

(Press release, Neok Bio, APR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234664498])

On April 17, 2026 Theriva Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), ("Theriva" or the "Company"), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, reported an upcoming poster presentation of new data and subgroup analyses from the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating VCN-01 (zabilugene almadenorepvec) plus gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in newly-diagnosed metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. Tumor reponse, biomarker data, and subgroup analyses are to be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting to be held in San Diego, CA from 17-22 April 2026.

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Details of the poster presentation are below:

Presenting author: Dr. Manuel Hidalgo, NYU Langone Health Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, NY
Title: Analysis of tumor and biomarker responses in the VIRAGE Trial, a randomized Phase IIb, open-label, study of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine with/without intravenous VCN-01 in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPDAC)
Poster #: CT162
Date and time: Monday April 20, 2026, 2:00-5:00 PM US PDT
Session: PO.CT01.05 – Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trials
Location: San Diego Convention Center, Hall B, Section 52, Board 26.
"The new data and analyses to be presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) meeting further reinforce our confidence in the clinical potential of VCN-01 plus gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy to help metastatic PDAC patients," said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics. "Taken together, the tumor response and biomarker data support an immune-mediated mode of action for VCN-01, which is consistent with the previously reported clinical observations, showing that patients treated with VCN-01 plus gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel experienced a significantly protracted duration of response concomitant with a later-stage prolongation of survival compared to patients treated with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel alone. We have achieved alignment with both the FDA and the EMA on a proposed pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate multiple doses of VCN-01 plus gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in first-line metastatic PDAC patients, and we are planning a small study to assess whether more frequent and extended VCN-01 dosing could further improve outcomes."

About Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Cancer of the pancreas consists of two main histological types: cancer that arises from the ductal (exocrine) cells of the pancreas or, much less often, cancers may arise from the endocrine compartment of the pancreas. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ("PDAC") accounts for more than 90% of all pancreatic tumors. It can be located either in the head of the pancreas or in the body/tail. Pancreatic cancer usually metastasizes to the liver and peritoneum. Other less common metastatic sites are the lungs, brain, kidney, and bone. In its early stages, pancreatic cancer does not typically result in any characteristic symptoms. In many instances, progressive abdominal pain is the first symptom. Therefore, in most cases, pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in its late stages (locally advanced non-metastatic or metastatic stage of the disease) when surgical resection and possibly curative treatment is not possible. It is generally assumed that only 10% of cases are resectable at presentation, whereas 30-40% of patients are diagnosed at local advanced/unresectable stage and 50-60% present with distant metastases.

About VCN-01

VCN-01 (zabilugene almadenorepvec) is a systemically administered oncolytic adenovirus designed to selectively and aggressively replicate within tumor cells and degrade the tumor stroma that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment. This unique mode-of-action enables VCN-01 to exert multiple antitumor effects by (i) selectively infecting and lysing tumor cells; (ii) enhancing the access and perfusion of co-administered chemotherapy products; and (iii) increasing tumor immunogenicity and exposing the tumor to the patient’s immune system and co-administered immunotherapy products. Systemic administration enables VCN-01 to exert its actions on both the primary tumor and metastases. VCN-01 has been administered to 142 patients to date in clinical trials of different cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (in combination with chemotherapy), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (with an immune checkpoint inhibitor), ovarian cancer (with CAR-T cell therapy), colorectal cancer, and retinoblastoma (by intravitreal injection). More information on these clinical trials is available at Clinicaltrials.gov.

(Press release, Theriva Biologics, APR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234664514])