Novocure Submits Premarket Approval Application to FDA for Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

On August 20, 2025 Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) reported it submitted a premarket approval (PMA) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (Press release, NovoCure, AUG 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234655415]).

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This submission is supported by the PANOVA-3 trial, which evaluated the use of TTFields therapy concomitantly with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (GnP) as a first-line treatment for adults with unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, compared to GnP alone. The trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in median overall survival for patients treated with TTFields and GnP compared to GnP alone. The PANOVA-3 data was presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, where the presentation was selected for inclusion in the "Best of ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)" program. The data were simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

"The submission of our application is a key step in our efforts to advance Tumor Treating Fields therapy as a treatment option for people living with pancreatic cancer," said Ashley Cordova, CEO, Novocure. "This milestone, achieved nine months after the positive topline readout of the PANOVA-3 trial, reflects the focus, drive and commitment of our team to bring this innovative treatment to patients as quickly as possible."

The PMA for pancreatic cancer was submitted as a PMA Panel-Track Supplement to Optune Lua, which is currently indicated for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The PMA supplement is expected to be converted to a separate, original PMA for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Novocure anticipates an approval decision in the second half of 2026.

About PANOVA-3

PANOVA-3 is an international, prospective, randomized, open-label, controlled Phase 3 clinical trial designed to test the efficacy and safety of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy used concomitantly with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel, as a first-line treatment for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients were randomized to receive either TTFields therapy concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel or gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone.

The primary endpoint is overall survival. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, local progression-free survival, objective response rate, one-year survival rate, quality of life, pain-free survival, puncture-free survival, resectability rate, and toxicity.

Quality of life outcomes further reinforced the clinical benefit of TTFields therapy, with patients treated with TTFields therapy exhibiting a statistically significant extension in pain-free survival (secondary endpoint) and a significant preservation of quality of life in terms of global health status, pain, pancreatic pain, and digestive symptom domains.

TTFields therapy was well-tolerated, no new safety signals were observed, and safety was consistent with prior clinical studies. Mild to moderate skin adverse events (AEs) were the most common device-related AEs.

The PANOVA-3 trial enrolled 571 patients who were randomized 1:1 and followed for a minimum of 18 months.

About Tumor Treating Fields

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are electric fields that exert physical forces to kill cancer cells via a variety of mechanisms. TTFields do not significantly affect healthy cells because they have different properties (including division rate, morphology, and electrical properties) than cancer cells. These multiple, distinct mechanisms work together to target and kill cancer cells. Due to these multimechanistic actions, TTFields therapy can be added to cancer treatment modalities in approved indications and demonstrates enhanced effects across solid tumor types when used with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibition, or targeted therapies in preclinical models. TTFields therapy provides clinical versatility that has the potential to help address treatment challenges across a range of solid tumors.

To learn more about TTFields therapy and its multifaceted effect on cancer cells, visit tumortreatingfields.com.

Arcus Biosciences to Participate in Three Upcoming Investor Conferences

On August 20, 2025 Arcus Biosciences (NYSE:RCUS), a clinical-stage, global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing differentiated molecules and combination therapies for patients with cancer, reported that its management team will participate in the following upcoming investor conferences in September (Press release, Arcus Biosciences, AUG 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234655416]):

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Citi’s 2025 Biotech Back to School Conference
Date: Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025
Location: Boston, MA
Format: Fireside chat & 1×1 meetings
Time: 11:15 a.m. ET

H.C. Wainwright 27th Annual Global Investment Conference
Date: Tuesday, September 9th, 2025
Location: New York, NY
Format: Fireside chat & 1×1 meetings
Time: 8:00 a.m. ET

Morgan Stanley 23rd Annual Global Healthcare Conference
Date: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025
Location: New York, NY
Format: Fireside chat & 1×1 meetings
Time: 8:30 a.m. ET

Live webcasts of the fireside chats will be available by visiting the "Investors & Media" section of the Arcus Biosciences website at www.arcusbio.com. Replays will be available following the live event.

Calidi Biotherapeutics Announces Pricing of $6 Million Underwritten Public Offering

On August 20, 2025 Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: CLDI) ("Calidi" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of targeted therapies with the potential to deliver genetic medicines to distal sites of disease, reported the pricing of an underwritten public offering for gross proceeds of $6 million prior to deducting underwriting commissions and offering expenses (Press release, Calidi Biotherapeutics, AUG 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234655453]).

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"We are extremely pleased to have priced this transaction despite difficult market conditions," said Eric Poma, Chief Executive Officer of Calidi Biotherapeutics. "This transaction included participation from current shareholders and new investors as well as management and board members."

The offering is comprised of (i) 1,472,764 common stock units with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one Series I warrant to purchase one share of common stock ("Common Stock Unit") and (ii) 1,528,000 pre-funded warrant units consisting of one pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of common stock and one Series I warrant to purchase one share of common stock ("Pre-Funded Unit"). The price per Common Stock Unit is $2.00 and the price per Pre-Funded Unit is $1.999. The Series I warrant will have an exercise price of $2.00 per share, will be exercisable upon issuance, and have a term expiring five years from issuance. The warrants issued in this offering are fixed priced and do not contain any variable price features.

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering. Laidlaw & Company (U.K.) Ltd. is acting as a co-manager for the offering.

In addition, Calidi has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 450,000 shares of common stock and/or warrants, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. This offering is expected to close on or about August 21, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The securities described above are being offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-276741), which was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on August 21, 2025. A preliminary prospectus relating to the securities being offered was filed with the SEC on August 15, 2025, and is available on the SEC’s website at View Source The securities are being offered only by means of a prospectus which forms part of the effective registration statement and is available on the SEC’s website located at View Source A final prospectus relating to this Offering will be filed by the Company with the SEC. Electronic copies of the preliminary prospectus and the final prospectus, when available, may also be obtained by contacting Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Prospectus Department, 640 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10019 or by email at [email protected].

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

I-Mab Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

On August 20, 2025 I-Mab (NASDAQ: IMAB) (I-Mab or the Company), a U.S.-based, global biotech company, focused on the development of precision immuno-oncology agents for the treatment of cancer, reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, and highlighted recent pipeline progress and business updates (Press release, I-Mab Biopharma, AUG 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234655401]).

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"The first half of 2025 has been transformative for I-Mab," said Sean Fu, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of I-Mab. "Our presentation at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) GI showcased compelling Phase 1b combination data for givastomig, reinforcing our confidence in its potential to be a best-in-class Claudin 18.2-directed therapy for metastatic gastric cancers in the 1L setting. Thanks to strong study momentum and active investigator engagement, we completed enrollment of the planned Phase 1b dose expansion cohorts ahead of schedule and expect to report topline data in Q1 2026. We believe our strong cash position and unwavering focus on value creation, position I-Mab to deliver meaningful clinical data and improve the lives of patients."

Recent and Anticipated Upcoming Clinical Milestones

Givastomig (CLDN18.2 x 4-1BB bispecific):

Recent Developments:


Positive Phase 1b Dose Escalation Data in Combination with Immunochemotherapy Presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) GI 2025 – Data from the dose escalation cohorts of the study were presented on July 2, 2025 in a Mini Oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress (ESMO GI) 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, accessible here. The data showed that givastomig in combination with immunochemotherapy demonstrated an 83% (10/12) objective response rate (ORR) at the doses (8 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg) selected for dose expansion. The responses were rapid, durable and deepened over time, with a favorable overall safety profile.
I-Mab hosted a virtual investor event on July 8, 2025 reviewing the Phase 1b dose escalation data (accessible for viewing here).


Givastomig Monotherapy Data Published in Clinical Cancer Research – First-in-human monotherapy data for givastomig were published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) (CCR), and a highly-ranked clinical oncology publication. The CCR paper details promising clinical data showing that givastomig monotherapy achieved an ORR of 16% in heavily pretreated Claudin 18.2-positive gastric cancer patients without encountering a dose limiting toxicity or maximum tolerated dose. The publication can be accessed here. The study provided the foundation for the ongoing Phase 1b combination study.
Upcoming Potential Clinical Milestones: I-Mab completed enrollment in the planned Phase 1b dose expansion study evaluating givastomig in combination with nivolumab and mFOLFOX6 for first line (1L) metastatic gastric cancers. The Company expects to present topline data in Q1 2026.

Other Programs: I-Mab anticipates updates in 2026 for ragistomig (PD-L1 x 4-1BB bispecific) and uliledlimab (monoclonal antibody targeting CD73), which are currently under development by ABL Bio and TJ Biopharma, respectively.

Corporate Developments


I-Mab Announces Pricing of $65 Million Underwritten Offering – I-Mab completed an underwritten offering of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) representing ordinary shares that raised total net proceeds of approximately $61.2 million. The offering included participation from new and existing investors including Everest Medicines, Janus Henderson Investors, Adage Capital Partners LP and Exome Asset Management.


Givastomig Intellectual Property Portfolio Strengthened with Acquisition of Bridge Health – The acquisition provides I-Mab with upstream rights to the Claudin 18.2 parental antibody for use in bispecific and multi-specific applications, eliminates all royalty obligations and reduces future milestones for givastomig due to Bridge Health Biotech Co., Ltd. (Bridge Health) by I-Mab. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2025.
Cash Position

As of June 30, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $165.6 million. The Company expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments, together with the net proceeds from the August 2025 underwritten offering, will be sufficient to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through the fourth quarter of 2028, including through a randomized Phase 2 trial of givastomig.

Shares Outstanding

As of June 30, 2025, the Company had 188,108,178 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, representing the equivalent of 81,786,164 ADSs, assuming the conversion of all ordinary shares into ADSs. In August 2025, the Company announced an underwritten offering of 76,666,659 ordinary shares, representing the equivalent of 33,333,330 ADSs.

Pro-forma for the underwritten offering, the Company had 264,774,837 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, representing the equivalent of 115,119,494 ADSs, assuming the conversion of all ordinary shares into ADSs.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $3.3 million and $4.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $5.2 million and $11.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. R&D expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2025 were $1.9 million lower than the comparable period in 2024, primarily due to lower contract research organization costs driven by streamlined clinical pipeline activities and a decrease in employee-related expenses resulting from a lower headcount. R&D expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2025 were $7.2 million lower than the comparable period in 2024, primarily due to reimbursements recognized under an existing collaboration agreement and lower contract research organization costs due to streamlined clinical pipeline activities.

Administrative Expenses

Administrative expenses were $3.8 million and $8.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $11.9 million and $14.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2025 were $8.1 million lower than the comparable period in 2024, primarily due to lower legal expenses and a decrease in employee-related expenses resulting from a lower headcount. Administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2025 were $6.1 million lower than the comparable period in 2024, primarily due to a decrease in legal expenses and lower employee benefit and compensation expenses resulting from a lower headcount. This decrease was partially offset by a higher employee share-based compensation expense in the current period. The employee share-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2024 included forfeitures in connection with the divestiture of our Chinese assets and related operations (the Greater China assets and business operations).

Interest Income

Interest income was $1.8 million and $3.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $2.1 million and $2.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2025 was $0.3 million lower than the comparable period in 2024 due to lower average cash balances and lower market interest rates. Interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $0.8 million higher than the comparable period in 2024, primarily due to greater interest earned on cash balances as a result of cash management strategies.

Other Income (Expenses), Net

Other income (expenses), net were $(0.2) million and $0.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $6.1 million and $5.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. The $6.3 million and $5.4 million decreases in other income (expense), net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, were primarily attributable to the changes in fair value and extinguishment of certain put right liabilities. The decrease was partially offset by smaller impacts from foreign exchange losses recognized during the current period.

Equity in Loss of Affiliates

Equity in loss of affiliates was $(1.0) million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 due to recognition of the employee stock ownership plan expenses from the Company’s unconsolidated investee as a result of the divestiture of the Greater China assets and business operations. There was no equity in loss of affiliates for the three months ended June 30, 2024 or the three and six months ended June 30, 2025.

Net Loss from Continuing Operations

Net loss from continuing operations were ($5.5) million and $(8.7) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $(8.9) million and $(18.4) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Net loss from continuing operations per share attributable to ordinary shareholders were $(0.03) and $(0.05) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $(0.05) and $(0.10) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.

Net Gain from Discontinued Operations

On April 2, 2024, the Company closed the divestiture of the Greater China assets and business operations announced on February 7, 2024 (the Transaction). In accordance with ASC 205-20, the Company determined that the Transaction represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on the business and therefore, met the criteria for classification as discontinued operations. As a result, the Company recognized a loss from discontinued operations of $6.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and a gain from sale of discontinued operations of $34.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

Net Income (Loss)

Net income (loss) was $(5.5) million and $(8.7) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $25.4 million and $9.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Net income (loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders was $(0.03) and $(0.05) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively compared to $0.13 and $0.05 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.

About Givastomig

Givastomig (TJ033721 / ABL111) is a bispecific antibody targeting Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2)-positive tumor cells. It conditionally activates T cells through the 4-1BB signaling pathway in the tumor microenvironment where CLDN18.2 is expressed. Givastomig is being developed for first line (1L) metastatic gastric cancers, with further potential in other solid tumors. In Phase 1 trials, givastomig has shown promising anti-tumor activity attributable to a potential synergistic effect of proximal interaction between CLDN18.2 on tumor cells and 4-1BB on T cells in the tumor microenvironment, while minimizing toxicities commonly seen with other 4-1BB agents.

An ongoing Phase 1b study is evaluating givastomig for the treatment of gastric cancer in the 1L setting in combination with standard of care, nivolumab (an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor) plus chemotherapy, in dose escalation (n=17) and dose expansion (n=40) cohorts. The study builds on positive Phase 1 monotherapy data.

Givastomig is being jointly developed through a global partnership with ABL Bio, in which I-Mab is the lead party and shares worldwide rights, excluding Greater China and South Korea, equally with ABL Bio.

Agilent MMR IHC Panel pharmDx (Dako Omnis) Receives FDA Approval as a Companion Diagnostic Test for Colorectal Cancer

On August 20, 2025 Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) reported that its MMR IHC Panel pharmDx (Dako Omnis) has received FDA approval as a companion diagnostic (CDx) test for colorectal cancer (Press release, Agilent, AUG 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234655417]). This test aids in identifying mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who are eligible for treatment with Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) alone or Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab). The MMR IHC Panel pharmDx (Dako Omnis) is approved for exclusive use with the Agilent Dako Omnis automated staining solution.

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The mismatch repair (MMR) pathway corrects DNA replication errors to maintain genomic stability1. Dysfunction in key MMR proteins (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6) causes MMR deficiency, leading to elevated mutations, tumorigenesis, and neoantigen accumulation—features that make dMMR tumors more responsive to immunotherapy due to enhanced immune recognition2.

MMR IHC Panel pharmDx (Dako Omnis) is an immunohistochemical (IHC) panel specifically developed and validated to detect the loss of function of any of the four MMR proteins in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) colorectal cancer tissue. Agilent’s panel is the only FDA-approved companion diagnostic IHC panel to diagnose colorectal cancer patients eligible for treatment with Opdivo alone or in combination with Yervoy.

"This approval marks an important step forward in the ongoing effort to improve colorectal cancer care," stated Nina Green, vice-president and general manager of Agilent’s Clinical Diagnostics Division. "Our new CDx product offers healthcare providers an additional tool to identify mismatch repair deficiency in patients, complementing existing options and enhancing the ability to tailor immunotherapy treatments. By providing more choices, we aim to support better tumor control and potentially improve progression-free survival, ultimately contributing to patient care and well-being."

Agilent partnered with Bristol Myers Squibb to develop the MMR IHC Panel pharmDx (Dako Omnis). This highlights the collaborative efforts between Agilent and Bristol Myers Squibb in developing and gaining approval for diagnostic assays that aid in selecting patients for specific treatments.

Opdivo and Yervoy are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.