Tempus and Predicta Biosciences Announce Collaboration to Expand Life Sciences Access to Ultrasensitive Whole-Genome Sequencing Assay for Hematologic Malignancies and MRD Monitoring

On April 15, 2026 Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a technology company leading the adoption of AI to advance precision medicine, and Predicta Biosciences, a precision oncology company developing novel diagnostic solutions for deep molecular characterization of hematologic malignancies with a focus on circulating tumor cells, reported the commercial expansion of a co-branded whole-genome sequencing (WGS) assay, currently known as GenoPredicta, intended for the comprehensive genomic characterization of hematologic malignancies and measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring.

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GenoPredicta is an ultrasensitive assay that extracts deep genetic insights from peripheral blood or bone marrow. By integrating flow cytometry for precise tumor cell detection and enumeration with WGS, the assay delivers a comprehensive analysis of a cancer genome. It identifies genetic alterations (SNVs/indels, CNVs, SVs)—from as few as 50 tumor cells, corresponding to a sensitivity as low as one in a million cells—to aid in diagnosis, risk classification, and the identification of therapy resistance mechanisms. This sensitivity expands testing eligibility to cases with low tumor burden.

The assay is currently available to Tempus’ Life Sciences partners to support exploratory research and clinical development programs. The assay has been clinically validated in Multiple Myeloma and other plasma cell dyscrasias and is available for research use only across other indications. The technology powering the assay stems from the foundational work of Predicta scientific co-founder Dr. Irene Ghobrial, whose research redefined early detection and intervention in blood cancers.

"By joining forces with Tempus, we are delivering unprecedented sensitivity and clarity to researchers – enabling the potential for earlier detection, smarter treatment decisions, and a deeper understanding of disease biology from a single assay," said Brian McKernan, CEO of Predicta Biosciences. "This partnership with Tempus will help accelerate market adoption and the utility of our tests in order to optimize clinical trials."

"GenoPredicta offers a novel, unified solution for our life science partners and a comprehensive replacement for traditional, siloed testing," said Kate Sasser, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Tempus. "By consolidating flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and WGS into one ultrasensitive workflow, we can identify high-risk biomarkers and track clonal evolution from as few as 50 tumor cells. Crucially, because the assay delivers 100% concordance between peripheral blood and bone marrow, it can provide these deep insights while sparing patients from biopsies."

(Press release, Tempus, APR 15, 2026, View Source [SID1234664417])

Immutep Receives FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Eftilagimod Alfa in Soft Tissue Sarcoma

On April 15, 2026 Immutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) ("Immutep" or "the Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for eftilagimod alfa ("efti") for the treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS), a rare cancer with significant unmet medical need.

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The FDA’s Orphan Drug Designation program is designed to encourage development of therapies for rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Benefits of ODD may include regulatory support, potential tax credits, fee exemptions, and seven years of market exclusivity upon approval.

This designation recognises the potential therapeutic relevance of efti in STS, supported by encouraging clinical data from the investigator-initiated Phase II EFTISARC-NEO trial which has been evaluating efti in combination with radiotherapy and KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in the neoadjuvant setting in patients with resectable soft tissue sarcoma. In 38 evaluable patients, the study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a median tumour hyalinization/fibrosis of 51.5%, significantly exceeding the pre-specified target of 35% and historical benchmarks of ~15% with radiotherapy alone.1

These results were observed across multiple sarcoma subtypes and were supported by translational data showing immune activation consistent with efti’s mechanism of action, with a favourable safety profile and no delays to planned surgery.2

CEO of Immutep, Marc Voigt said: "We are pleased that the FDA has recognised the potential of efti for patients with soft tissue sarcoma, a rare and difficult to treat cancer. As previously communicated, the Company is currently undertaking a comprehensive review and analysis following the discontinuation of its Phase III TACTI-004 trial and the outcome will influence the decision regarding any potential future clinical trial with efti. The FDA’s designation, based on very encouraging data from the EFTISARC-NEO trial, provides us with a potential direct step forward into a late-stage study in the neoadjuvant setting for STS."

(Press release, Immutep, APR 15, 2026, View Source [SID1234664365])

Agilent Showcases Cancer Research Solutions at AACR 2026

On April 15, 2026 Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) reported it will present new technologies, scientific collaborations, and integrated workflows supporting cancer research and diagnostics at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting on April 17–22, 2026, in San Diego, California. At the meeting, Agilent will highlight advances designed to connect discovery research, translational science, and companion diagnostics development, reflecting the growing demand for more integrated approaches across the cancer research continuum.

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Among the technologies featured is the BioTek Cytation 9 cell imaging multimode reader, the newest addition to the Cytation series of cell imaging and multimode microplate readers. Cytation 9 is designed to support advanced live‑cell and endpoint assays by combining automated microscopy with conventional microplate reading in a single system, supporting a range of cell‑based research applications.

In addition, Agilent will provide an early preview of the upcoming AI‑enabled software enhancement for the xCELLigence RTCA eSight, designed to bring the same straightforward, objective data analysis long valued in impedance measurements to label‑free live‑cell imaging, while supporting more consistent, reproducible results.

AACR attendees are invited to join Agilent at the Exhibitor Spotlight Theater for a session titled "Direct Targeted Methylation Sequencing (dTMS) with SureSelect: Targeted Long‑Read Sequencing for Native Variant and Methylation Profiling in Oncology." The session will be presented by Andrew Jenkins, biotechnology research associate at Wasatch Biolabs, and will examine the use of targeted long‑read sequencing approaches in oncology research.

Agilent will also highlight its collaboration with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, demonstrating the compatibility of Agilent SureSelect target enrichment chemistry with ONT’s long-read sequencing platforms. By integrating SureSelect libraries into ONT sequencing workflows, researchers can pair hybrid-capture target enrichment with real-time, long-read sequencing to support applications such as target genomics, structural variant analysis, and methylation profiling.

Immediately preceding AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026, Agilent’s xCELLigence User Group Meeting will bring together the real-time cell analysis community to share best practices, applications, and real-world insights from functional cell-based research.

Agilent is continuing its collaboration with the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Foundation following a virtual 5K fundraiser held in October 2025 that raised $15,000 and funded 14 Scholars-in-Training awards. Agilent representatives will meet scholars supported through this initiative at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Scholar‑in‑Training Award Reception and will promote the 5k fundraiser at the Agilent booth as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting early-career cancer researchers.

"At Agilent, our mission is to support advances in cancer research by providing integrated technologies and collaborative solutions," said Rita Shaknovich, chief medical officer at Agilent Technologies. "By delivering trusted answers, we aim to help researchers and clinicians make more informed decisions across the cancer research and care continuum."

Agilent will exhibit at booth No. 4527 and host additional scientific and networking events throughout the meeting.

(Press release, Agilent, APR 15, 2026, View Source [SID1234664418])

Annual Report 2025

On April 15, 2026 Circio reported annual report 2025.

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(Presentation, Circio, APR 15, 2026, View Source [SID1234669251])

PDS Biotech Announces Publication of Positive PDS01ADC Interim Phase 2 Clinical Trial Data from Stage 1 of NCI-led Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) Trial

On April 15, 2026 PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB) ("PDS Biotech" or the "Company"), a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers, reported the publication of clinical and immunological biomarker data from Stage 1 of a Phase 2 trial evaluating its tumor-targeted IL-12 immunocytokine, PDS01ADC, in the March 10, 2026 issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) Oncology Advances.

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The clinical trial, led by Dr. Jonathan Hernandez, MD, Investigator in the Surgical Oncology Program at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), combined subcutaneous injection of PDS01ADC with floxuridine (FUDR), delivered via hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP), in patients with MSS or pMMR metastatic colorectal cancer with liver metastases who had failed at least one round of prior treatment (NCT05286814). Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been ineffective to date in about 95% of mCRC patients with MSS or pMMR disease1. Patients interested in enrolling in this study may contact NCI’s toll-free number 1-800-4-Cancer (1-800-422-6237) (TTY: 1-800-332-8615) and/or visit the web site: View Source and/or email NCIMO [email protected].

The open-label, single-center, non-randomized Phase 2 trial utilizes a Simon two-stage design and includes three disease cohorts: metastatic colorectal cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and adrenocortical cancer. The publication reports data from the metastatic colorectal cancer cohort of the trial.

Key findings from Stage 1 (N=9) of the 22-patient study*

In colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases previously treated with at least one line of chemotherapy, who had failed prior treatment, the addition of PDS01ADC to HAIP therapy appears to enhance the immune response and clinical responses.:


Objective response rate by RECIST v1.1: 77.8% (7/9) at six months; in the parallel trial without PDS01ADC, the ORR was 35% (7/20)


24-month survival rate: Approximately 85%; in the parallel study without PDS01ADC, the 2-year survival rate was approximately 40%


Extrahepatic progression-free survival (PFS): median not reached at minimum follow-up of 13.1 months; in the parallel trial without PDS01ADC, the PFS was 8.1 months

*No head-to-head trials have been performed.

"HAIP was approved by the FDA in 2024 and is gaining prominence at leading oncology centers. Despite many meaningful advances in oncology, metastatic colorectal cancer remains an area of significant unmet need. These early results showing strong tumor response rates and promising patient survival are encouraging and support our approach of subcutaneously administering PDS01ADC to activate the immune system against the cancer," said Frank Bedu-Addo, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of PDS Biotech. "We believe these findings represent a meaningful step toward more precise immune-based treatments without the significant side effects that have historically limited traditional recombinant cytokine therapies."

The data were published in an article titled Tumor-Targeted IL-12 (PDS01ADC) With Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Therapy for Colorectal Liver Metastases: Interim Analysis of a Nonrandomized Phase II Trial in the March 10, 2026 issue of JCO Oncology Advances (JCO Oncol Adv 3, e2500173(2026).

About PDS01ADC
PDS01ADC is a tumor-targeted immunocytokine designed to deliver Interleukin-12 (IL-12), a potent immune-activating agent, directly to the tumor while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body. The therapy uses the NHS76 antibody, which binds to DNA exposed in areas of tumor cell death, concentrating the drug where it is needed most. This targeted approach prevents the presence of free IL-12 in the body, and is designed to improve tolerability while enhancing anti-tumor potency. In clinical studies, PDS01ADC has been shown to:


Promote the development of stem-like T cells, including memory T cells with self-renewing properties, which may support durable anti-tumor responses2


Activate a subtype of natural killer cells associated with potent tumor-killing capability3


Inhibit immune-suppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, that can otherwise protect tumors from immune attack4

About Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 150,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Approximately 20% of patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, and an additional 25% of those with initially localized disease will eventually progress to metastatic cancer (Biller LH, 2021;325;(7):669-685). Globally, colorectal cancer causes nearly 2 million deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization.

(Press release, PDS Biotechnology, APR 15, 2026, View Source [SID1234664403])