On April 16, 2026 Foundation Medicine, Inc., a global, patient-focused precision medicine company and an independent affiliate of Roche, reported it is set to expand its monitoring portfolio with SAGA Diagnostics’ tumor-informed molecular residual disease (MRD) platform as a result of Roche entering into a definitive merger agreement to acquire SAGA. Roche will pay a total of up to $595 million, inclusive of commercial and regulatory milestone payments. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in Q3 2026, at the latest. Following the closing of the transaction, the platform will be fully integrated into Foundation Medicine.

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Pathlight’s MRD platform will strengthen Foundation Medicine’s portfolio of high-quality diagnostic tests and solutions that support treatment selection, and the monitoring of both treatment response and disease recurrence. Foundation Medicine also plans to leverage Roche’s AXELIOS sequencing platform1 and the Digital LightCycler PCR platform to develop a decentralized MRD solution which will enable patient access in healthcare settings worldwide.

Pathlight uses a proprietary combination of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and digital PCR to identify and track large-scale genomic changes known as structural variants (SVs). By optimizing for SVs, Pathlight enables ultra-sensitive MRD detection. Pathlight is covered by Medicare for cancer recurrence monitoring in early-stage breast cancer across all subtypes. It is currently available for patients within the United States,2 with plans for international launch.

"Pathlight strengthens our comprehensive portfolio of diagnostic solutions and reinforces our commitment to transforming cancer care throughout a patient’s experience," said Dan Malarek, CEO of Foundation Medicine. "MRD is one of the fastest-growing areas within diagnostics and this technology provides us with a clinically available ultra-sensitive offering. Pathlight has demonstrated strong clinical performance in breast and colorectal cancer, and we look forward to expanding its applicability across other tumor types and indications to improve the lives of even more patients."

"Our mission at SAGA is to intercept cancer early when patients are most treatable and curable," said Roopom Banerjee, Executive Chairman of SAGA. "Foundation Medicine’s commercial scale and innovation accelerates our ability to bring this unique MRD platform to more patients worldwide. We are proud of our team for advancing innovation in the MRD field and commercially launching Pathlight to improve patient outcomes."

Pathlight will expand Foundation Medicine’s monitoring portfolio, which includes FoundationOneMonitor3 and Foundation Medicine’s tissue-informed whole genome sequencing molecular residual disease test (Tissue-Informed WGS MRD) available for research use.4 FoundationOne Monitor is a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) monitoring test which uses a blood sample to support healthcare providers with clarity on their patient’s response to treatment and inform next steps in care. The Tissue-Informed WGS MRD test monitors hundreds to thousands of tumor-specific short variants, enabling accurate quantification of ctDNA in patients with cancer for a more complete picture after treatment. ​​​

Foundation Medicine and FoundationOne are registered trademarks of Foundation Medicine, Inc.

SAGA Diagnostics is a registered trademark and Pathlight is a trademark of SAGA Diagnostics.

(Press release, Foundation Medicine, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664454])

On April 16, 2026 StarkAge Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering first-in-class senolytic antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) for age-related diseases with an initial focus on oncology, reported that it will present two posters at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026. These data strengthen the company’s leadership in senescence-targeted oncology and support the development of STX-1, its first-in-class DPP4-targeting ADC, as a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with solid tumors who have limited treatment options.

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"These AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) presentations underscore the growing recognition that therapy-induced senescence is a key driver of tumor progression and resistance," said Eric Angevin, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer. "By selectively eliminating DPP4-expressing cells in both tumor and stroma, particularly in the context of senescence, STX-1 has the potential to establish a new therapeutic approach for patients with limited treatment options. Our strategy is grounded in a strong translational foundation and aims to address a significant unmet need in solid tumors."

In the translational poster, StarkAge and Gustave Roussy Institute characterize the impact of treatment-induced senescence in metastatic colorectal cancer and highlight DPP4 (CD26) as a senescence-associated biomarker expressed in both stromal and tumor compartments. The study integrates immunohistochemistry, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses across large patient datasets and characterize senescence-related biology and its potential implications for disease progression and treatment resistance.

In the preclinical poster, StarkAge will present data showing that STX-1 demonstrated strong affinity for DPP4, high internalization, target-dependent cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity, with enhanced activity in senescent cell-enriched tumors. The abstract also reports that senescence induction through chemo- or radiotherapy increased DPP4 expression, while senescent cancer cells remained sensitive to STX-1 treatment. In vivo, enhanced activity was observed in senescence-enriched tumors, and STX-1 was reported to be well tolerated in toxicology studies in mice expressing human DPP4.

AACR 2026 Poster Details

Preclinical poster
Title: STX-1, a first-in-class ADC targeting DPP4 protein, acts as an anticancer and senolytic treatment
Session / Abstract #: PO.ET02.01 – Antibody-Drug Conjugates and Linker Engineering 1
Presenter: Benjamin Le Calvé, StarkAge Therapeutics
Date / Time: April 20, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Section 12

Translational poster
Title: Treatment-induced senescence in metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas: implications for single-cell biology and therapeutic intervention
Session / Abstract #: PO.MCB04.02 – Senescence and Cell Stress
Presenter: Antoine Hollebecque, Drug Development Department (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
Date / Time: April 21, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Section 24

(Press release, StarkAge Therapeutics, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664455])

On April 16, 2026, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Rigel") reported to have received written notice from Eli Lilly and Company ("Lilly") of Lilly’s election to terminate that certain License and Collaboration Agreement, dated February 18, 2021 (the "Agreement"), between Rigel and Lilly.

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Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Lilly has elected to terminate the Agreement in its entirety. The termination will become effective June 15, 2026.

The Agreement granted Lilly an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize ocadusertib (previously R552), an investigational, potent and selective receptor interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1 ("RIPK1") inhibitor, for the treatment of non-central nervous system ("non-CNS") diseases, and additional RIPK1 inhibitors for the treatment of central nervous system ("CNS") diseases. The Agreement also provided for collaboration between the parties on development activities, as well as potential milestone payments and royalties to Rigel.

Following the effective date of termination, the Agreement will terminate in accordance with its terms, including the cessation of Lilly’s rights to the licensed compounds, subject to any applicable transition provisions. Rigel expects to regain full rights to the licensed compounds and related programs upon termination.

Rigel is currently evaluating the impact of the termination. Following termination of the Agreement, including the prior termination of the CNS disease program under the Agreement, effective in November 2025, the Company does not expect to receive future milestones or royalties under the Agreement.

(Filing, Rigel, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664622])

On April 16, 2026 Sona Nanotech Inc. (CSE: SONA) (OTCQB: SNANF) (the "Company", "Sona") reported the appointment of two renowned oncologists to its scientific advisory board: Dr. Michael Smylie and Dr. Jonathan Trites.

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Dr. Michael Smylie is a leading medical oncologist at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton and a clinical professor at the University of Alberta, renowned for his transformative work in melanoma research. He played a key role as a contributing investigator and co-author in the landmark CheckMate clinical trials–specifically CheckMate 067. This study is hailed as a turning point in oncology, as it proved that combining immunotherapy drugs could lead to long-term survival for patients with advanced melanoma, a condition once considered a terminal diagnosis.

His work on the long-term outcomes and quality-of-life data from these trials has helped establish the current international standard of care, moving the needle from short-term treatment to the possibility of decade-long remission for many.

Dr. Jonathan Trites is a head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgeon based at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. As an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University, he has been a key figure in research advancing surgical techniques and outcomes for complex head and neck cancers.

Dr. Trites’s work primarily focuses on improving the precision and functional outcomes of cancer surgeries. He is a leader in using minimally invasive techniques for tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. His research has demonstrated that Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) is a viable option for advanced-stage glottic cancer, achieving high rates of laryngeal preservation and excellent functional outcomes. He has also published significant data on various squamous cell carcinomas, including early-stage laryngeal cancer and oropharyngeal cancer.

Sona’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, commented, "I am excited to have Dr. Smylie and Dr. Trites join our scientific advisory board. I have had the privilege of working closely with both gentlemen over the past many years and have a tremendous amount of respect for the experience and wisdom they bring to our table. The clinical course we are embarking upon is truly pioneering. Both Dr. Trites and Dr. Smylie have been pioneers throughout their careers in their respective fields, giving me and my team a tremendous amount confidence as we plan and begin to execute our clinical course going forward."

(Press release, Sona Nanotech, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664440])

On April 16, 2026 MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. (NYSE American: MAIA) ("MAIA", the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, reported that it has activated the first U.S. clinical site in its Phase 2 THIO-101 expansion trial of its lead investigational therapy as a third-line (3L) treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

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"We are thrilled to activate the expansion of our Phase 2 THIO-101 trial in the U.S., bringing our novel treatment to our country’s broad underserved NSCLC patient population. Every year, we estimate approximately 50,000 patients resistant to chemo and CPIs alone advance to third-line NSCLC in the U.S. The medical need is extensive," said Vlad Vitoc, M.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MAIA.

The trial’s expansion into the U.S. marks a key milestone for MAIA, which is expected to open a significantly larger patient pool for evaluation of ateganosine, a novel dual mechanism of action drug candidate incorporating telomere targeting and immunogenicity. In addition to the first location, Summit Medical Group in New Jersey, MAIA intends to open four additional sites in U.S. in 2026. The trial is ongoing in Europe and Asia with 44 active sites in 6 countries.

MAIA’s THIO-101 expansion study evaluates ateganosine in heavily pre-treated patients in 3L NSCLC who have previously failed treatment with checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) and chemotherapy. Two treatment arms are being studied: ateganosine sequenced with cemiplimab (Libtayo) and ateganosine monotherapy. Third-line treatment evaluation in the U.S. is funded by a prestigious $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"The activation of Summit Medical Group as our first U.S. clinical site is a landmark moment for the THIO-101 study. This is expected to further advance ateganosine as a potential best-in-class therapy for third-line NSCLC," said Matthew Failor, MAIA’s Director of Clinical Operations. "Partnering with a premier institution like Summit should allow us to bring this highly innovative telomere-targeting approach to U.S. patients who have limited options."

"We are proud to be the first U.S. site to offer patients access to MAIA’s innovative THIO-101 expansion trial and contribute to advancing a promising new treatment strategy in lung cancer," added Charles J. Kim, M.D., Summit Health oncologist and principal investigator for the THIO-101 trial in New Jersey.

MAIA holds FDA Fast Track designation for its lead drug targeting advanced NSCLC. The Fast Track process is designed to facilitate development and expedite the review of drugs for serious conditions with no treatment options or limited low-efficacy therapies. If relevant criteria are met during the Fast Track process, a drug is eligible for FDA Accelerated Approval and Priority Review (FDA decision within six months).

In 2025, THIO-101 delivered exceptional efficacy data for MAIA’s lead investigational drug sequenced with a checkpoint inhibitor including disease control, response rates, and survival data well above standard of care benchmarks. MAIA recently reported overall survival (OS) beyond two years for eight patients treated with ateganosine sequenced with cemiplimab in Parts A and B of the trial. The eight patients include one with survival of 33 months and four with survival over 30 months. The measures of 3L OS beyond 24 months exceed all known benchmarks for advanced NSCLC treatment. The THIO-101 treatment regimen has shown an acceptable safety profile to date in a heavily pre-treated population.

About Ateganosine

Ateganosine (THIO, 6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine) is a first-in-class investigational telomere-targeting agent currently in clinical development to evaluate its activity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Telomeres, along with the enzyme telomerase, play a fundamental role in the survival of cancer cells and their resistance to current therapies. The modified nucleotide 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine induces telomerase-dependent telomeric DNA modification, DNA damage responses, and selective cancer cell death. Ateganosine-damaged telomeric fragments accumulate in cytosolic micronuclei and activates both innate (cGAS/STING) and adaptive (T-cell) immune responses. The sequential treatment of ateganosine followed by PD-(L)1 inhibitors resulted in profound and persistent tumor regression in advanced, in vivo cancer models by induction of cancer type–specific immune memory. Ateganosine is presently developed as a second or later line of treatment for NSCLC for patients that have progressed beyond the standard-of-care regimen of existing checkpoint inhibitors.

About THIO-101 Phase 2 Clinical Trial

THIO-101 is a multicenter, open-label, dose finding Phase 2 clinical trial. It is the first trial designed to evaluate ateganosine’s anti-tumor activity when followed by PD-(L)1 inhibition. The trial is testing the hypothesis that low doses of ateganosine administered prior to cemiplimab (Libtayo) will enhance and prolong immune response in patients with advanced NSCLC who previously did not respond or developed resistance and progressed after first-line treatment regimen containing another checkpoint inhibitor. The trial design has two primary objectives: (1) to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ateganosine administered as an anticancer compound and a priming immune activator (2) to assess the clinical efficacy of ateganosine using Overall Response Rate (ORR) as the primary clinical endpoint. The expansion of the study will assess overall response rates (ORR) in advanced NSCLC patients receiving third line (3L) therapy who were resistant to previous checkpoint inhibitor treatments (CPI) and chemotherapy. Treatment with ateganosine followed by cemiplimab (Libtayo) has shown an acceptable safety profile to date in a heavily pre-treated population. For more information on this Phase II trial, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov using the identifier NCT05208944.

(Press release, MAIA Biotechnology, APR 16, 2026, View Source [SID1234664456])