On April 27, 2026 HCW Biologics Inc. (the "Company" or "HCW Biologics"), (NASDAQ: HCWB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing transformative fusion immunotherapeutics to support or treat diseases promoted by chronic inflammation reported major development regarding its tetra-valent, second-generation T-Cell Engager Program (the "Big BiTE") based on its TRBC platform technology, was presented at the poster session at the American Association of Cancer Research ("AACR") Annual Meeting 2026, which took place from April 17 – 22, 2026 in San Diego, California.

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HCW11-018b, the lead candidate of the "Big BiTE" program, is a tetra-valent T-cell engager designed to enhance anti-tumor activities and tolerability to treat a wide spectrum of solid tumors. The Company’s preclinical data showed HCW11-018b could significantly shrink well-established tumors and prevent cancer metastasis in xenograft animal models with broad coverage for human solid tumor indications.

The new data in the poster has revealed the mechanism of action that drives these results. HCW11-018b utilizes Cis-binding (or cis-interaction) to regulate immune cell reactivity that masks the receptors which prevent trans-binding and inhibit membrane flexibility. The data showed that HCW11-018b is only activated within the tumor microenvironment, which is expected to increase the efficacy and tolerability of this tetra-valent T Cell Engager against human tumor cells.

Dr. Hing C. Wong, the Company’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "HCW11-018b exhibits remarkable anti-tumor activities with high tolerability in animal models. With its streamlined GMP manufacturing process, the Company is vigorously -pursuing the clinical development path for solid tumors with particular focus on pancreatic and ovarian cancer. The IND application is projected to be filed in the first half of 2027."

The poster, entitled, "An innovative approach to improve bispecific T-cell engagers for solid tumor therapy," was presented by Dr. Wong at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026. The poster is available on the Company’s investors’ website in the following link: View Source

(Press release, HCW Biologics, APR 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234664834])

On April 27, 2026 Akari Therapeutics, Plc (Nasdaq: AKTX), an oncology biotechnology company developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with novel RNA splicing modulator payloads, reported the acceptance of an Australian patent covering its core payload technology, and further expanding protection of its proprietary ADC platform.

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The accepted patent (Application No. 2024201765), titled "Thailanstatin Analogs," includes composition-of-matter claims covering proprietary analogs of Thailanstatin designed for use as cytotoxic ADC therapeutics. This patent contains broad claims covering the use of these proprietary splicing payloads with state-of-the-art ADC linkers and may be used to target different proteins on the cancer cell.

Akari’s growing pipeline of novel ADCs including AKTX-101 (targeting TROP2 directed) and AKTX-102 (targeting CEACAM5) all use the PH1 payload that is built around this novel IP. Targeting RNA splicing biology has the potential to be a highly effective and differentiated strategy to attack cancer tumors in multiple ways by eliminating vital proteins needed for cancer cell survival, as well as uniquely activating the immune system to drive durable efficacy.

"This patent acceptance strengthens the foundation of our proprietary payload platform and reinforces our ability to build a differentiated ADC pipeline," said Abizer Gaslightwala, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akari Therapeutics. "Our RNA splicing payload enable us to build a novel class of ADC therapeutics that have the potential to disrupt the current ADC category, and we believe expanding broad composition-of-matter protection globally is critical to unlocking multiple ADCs across tumor types and major markets around the world. This patent grant continues to increase the total value of
Akari’s novel ADC technology, while enabling us to advance the development of cancer therapies for patients across the world while protecting our intellectual property."

This Australian patent approval builds on Akari’s expanding global intellectual property portfolio, which includes issued patents in the United States, China, India, Japan, Israel, and Mexico, further strengthening protection of its proprietary PH1 payload platform and reinforcing the Company’s strategy to establish broad, global composition-of-matter coverage.

Akari’s lead program, AKTX-101, a TROP2-targeting ADC powered by its proprietary PH1 payload, is currently in IND-enabling studies with a targeted Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial expected in late 2026/ early 2027. This enables Akari to continue to advance its novel ADC into a rapidly evolving TROP2 ADC class expected to reach ~$12B by 20331.

This patent approval further strengthens Akari’s intellectual property across payload chemistry, ADC architecture, and therapeutic applications, supporting the Company’s strategy to advance a durable and differentiated platform for next-generation ADC development.

(Press release, Akari Therapeutics, APR 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234664787])

On April 27, 2026 Replimune Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REPL), a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of novel oncolytic immunotherapies, reported multiple presentations at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting being held in Chicago from May 29-June 2, 2026.

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The Company has two abstracts selected for oral presentation, including a 3-year landmark overall survival analysis from the IGNYTE clinical trial of RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) plus nivolumab in anti-PD-1 failed melanoma, and an oral presentation on the final safety, efficacy, and biomarker results from the Phase 1 first-in-human study of RP2 alone and combined with nivolumab in advanced solid tumors. Four additional posters for RP1 and RP2 will be presented.

Details for the presentations are as follows:

Oral data presentations

Abstract Title: A 3-year landmark overall survival analysis of RP1 plus nivolumab in patients with anti-PD-1-failed melanoma from the IGNYTE clinical trial.

Session Title: Rapid Oral Abstract Session – Melanoma/Skin Cancers
Presenter: Michael Wong, MD, PhD
Date: May 30, 2026, 5:30-5:36 pm CDT
Location: E451
Abstract #: 9518

Abstract Title: RP2 oncolytic immunotherapy alone and in combination with nivolumab (nivo) in patients with advanced solid tumors: Final safety, efficacy, and biomarker results from the phase 1 first-in-human (FIH) study.

Session Title: Oral Abstract Session – Developmental Therapeutics-Immunotherapy
Presenter: Joseph Sacco, PhD, MBChB
Date: May 31, 2026, 9:12-9:24 AM CDT
Location: Arie Crown Theater
Abstract #: 2504

Poster presentations

Abstract Title: Safety and feasibility of intratumoral injection of RP1 or RP2 oncolytic immunotherapies in visceral metastases.

Poster Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics-Immunotherapy
Presenter: Caroline Robert, MD, PhD
Date: May 30, 2026, 1:30-4:30 PM CDT
Location: Hall A, Poster 387
Abstract #: 2597

Abstract Title: A randomized, phase 2/3 clinical trial investigating RP2 plus nivolumab vs ipilimumab plus nivolumab in immune checkpoint inhibitor-naïve patients with metastatic uveal melanoma.

Poster Session Title: Melanoma/Skin Cancers
Presenter: Marlana Orloff, MD
Date: May 31, 2025, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT
Location: Hall A, Poster 481a
Abstract #: TPS9598

Abstract Title: A randomized, controlled, multicenter, phase 3 study of RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) combined with nivolumab vs physician’s choice of therapy in patients with advanced melanoma that has progressed on anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy (IGNYTE-3).

Poster Session Title: Melanoma/Skin Cancers
Presenter: Yana Najjar, MD
Date: May 31, 2026, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT
Location: Hall A, Poster 480b
Abstract #: TPS9597

Abstract Title: A multicenter, open-label study of RP2 oncolytic immunotherapy expressing anti-CTLA-4 combined with second-line atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or with first-line durvalumab in advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC).

Poster Session Title: Gastrointestinal Cancer-Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary
Presenter: Richard Kim, MD
Date: May 30, 2026, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT
Location: Hall A, Poster 230a
Abstract #: TPS4255

About RP1
RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) is Replimune’s lead product candidate and is based on a proprietary strain of herpes simplex virus engineered and genetically armed with a fusogenic protein (GALV-GP R-) and GM-CSF intended to maximize tumor killing potency, the immunogenicity of tumor cell death, and the activation of a systemic anti-tumor immune response.

About RP2
RP2 is based on a proprietary strain of herpes simplex virus engineered and genetically armed with a fusogenic protein (GALV-GP R-) and GM-CSF intended to maximize tumor killing potency, the immunogenicity of tumor cell death and the activation of a systemic anti-tumor immune response. RP2 additionally expresses an anti-CTLA-4 antibody-like molecule, as well as GALV-GP R- and GM-CSF. RP2 is intended to provide targeted and potent delivery of these proteins to the sites of immune response initiation in the tumor and draining lymph nodes, with the goal of focusing systemic-immune-based efficacy on tumors and limiting off-target toxicity.

(Press release, Replimune, APR 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234664803])

On April 27, 2026 Janux Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: JANX) ("Janux"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad pipeline of novel immunotherapies, reported that it will discontinue further clinical development of JANX008, its EGFR-targeted Tumor Activated T Cell Engager (TRACTr) program.

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Following completion of the Phase 1a portion of the study, which included dose escalation and expansion cohorts across multiple solid tumor indications, and an internal review of the data, the Company has determined to prioritize development resources toward other pipeline opportunities. The decision to discontinue JANX008 is program-specific and does not impact the Company’s broader TRACTr platform strategy. As part of its disciplined portfolio prioritization process, the Company evaluated the JANX008 dataset against predefined development criteria. While durable responses were observed in select patients through extended follow-up, the overall magnitude and consistency of activity were not sufficient to support continued development relative to other pipeline programs.

The study also generated insights relevant to the broader TRACTr platform. The occurrence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was infrequent and primarily limited to Grade 1, enabling Safety Review Committee approval for outpatient dosing. In addition, JANX008 demonstrated a differentiated tolerability profile relative to conventional EGFR-targeted therapies, with minimal gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and subcutaneous adverse events typically associated with EGFR antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. These findings, together with the ability to dose beyond the limitations of conventional T cell engagers, support the potential of the TRACTr platform to improve safety. While musculoskeletal adverse events were dose-limiting, reflecting constraints associated with the EGFR target, the TRACTr format enabled a sufficient therapeutic window to assess clinical activity across a range of doses.

"Our decision to discontinue JANX008 reflects the disciplined approach we take to advancing our pipeline," said David Campbell, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Janux. "We evaluate each program against a high bar for safety, activity, and differentiated profile. We prioritize resources toward programs that meet these criteria and offer opportunities to deliver best-in-class outcomes."

"The JANX008 study enabled a rigorous evaluation of activity for this EGFR-targeted TRACTr construct," said William Go, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Janux. "We observed objective responses and disease control across treated patients. These findings provide important insight into how target biology and masking strategy define the therapeutic window and inform the continued advancement of our pipeline."

(Press release, Janux Therapeutics, APR 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234664820])

On April 27, 2026 BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXL) (TSX: BCT) ("BriaCell" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, reported three clinical data poster presentations and three publication-only abstracts at the 2026 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, taking place May 29-June 2, 2026 at McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois. The details of the poster presentation sessions and publish-only abstracts are listed below.

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Abstract Title: Survival with Bria-IMT + CPI in advanced metastatic breast cancer at 12 and 24 months.
Session Type/Title: Poster Session – Breast Cancer—Metastatic
Poster Board: 222
Date and Time: June 1, 2026, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM CDT

Abstract Title: Quality of life and treatment tolerability of Bria-IMT + CPI in metastatic breast cancer.
Session Type/Title: Poster Session – Breast Cancer—Metastatic
Poster Board: 221
Date and Time: June 1, 2026, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM CDT

Abstract Title: Monitoring blood-based biomarkers as early predictors of progression-free survival in a randomized Bria-ABC phase 3 trial for advanced metastatic breast cancer: An ongoing analysis.
Session Type/Title: Poster Session – Developmental Therapeutics—Immunotherapy
Poster Board: 442
Date and Time: May 30, 2026, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM CDT

Publication-Only Abstract Title: Cell-based second-generation immunotherapy BC1 in metastatic breast cancer.

Publication-Only Abstract Title: Liquid biopsy to stratify metastatic breast cancer progression risk using multi-analyte cell subtyping prior to systemic therapy.

Publication-Only Abstract Title: Monitoring PD-L1 expression in circulating cancer associated cells for prediction of clinical outcomes in metastatic breast cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Presentation details will become available upon publication of the abstracts by ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) on May 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

Following the presentation, copies of the posters will be made available at View Source

(Press release, BriaCell Therapeutics, APR 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234664835])