On April 20, 2026 Immunofoco reported the presentation of new preclinical data for its in vivo BCMA-targeting CAR-T candidate, IMV102, at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026. The data demonstrate that IMV102 achieved potent and durable anti-tumor activity in multiple myeloma models, highlighting its potential to address key limitations of conventional CAR-T therapies.

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Autologous CAR-T therapy has achieved remarkable success in hematologic malignancies, yet its widespread use remains challenging due to complex manufacturing and high costs. To address these challenges, Immunofoco developed the iMAGIC platform, a lentiviral vector-based in vivo CAR-T system composed of a mutated MxV glycoprotein (MxV-G-mut) and a T cell targeting module (TCM3). This platform enables selective targeting and transduction of T cells in vivo.

Leveraging this platform, the company is advancing IMV102, a BCMA-targeting in vivo CAR-T candidate that has demonstrated promising specificity, efficacy, and safety in preclinical models of multiple myeloma.

In vitro, IMV102 showed highly selective transduction of T cells, achieving efficient gene delivery in Jurkat T-cell lines, while minimal transduction was observed in non-target cells such as hepatocytes and Kupffer cells, indicating strong targeting specificity. Furthermore, IMV102-generated CAR-T cells exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against NCI-H929 multiple myeloma cells, accompanied by significant upregulation of IFN-γ.

In vivo, IMV102 induced CAR-T cell generation and achieved potent and durable tumor inhibition in two multiple myeloma xenograft models (H929-Luc and MM.1S-Luc, human PBMC-reconstituted mice). Tumor burden was significantly reduced. Body weight remained stable throughout the study, with no significant safety signals observed. CAR-T cell expansion and plasma IFN-γ levels remained within a manageable range, supporting a favorable balance between immune activity and safety.

Dr. Minmin Sun, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Immunofoco, commented: "IMV102 further validates the potential of our dual-engine strategy integrating ex vivo and in vivo CAR-T approaches. We believe in vivo CAR-T has the potential to transform the manufacturing and delivery paradigm of cell therapies, enabling a shift from highly personalized treatments to scalable and accessible solutions. We will continue to advance IMV102 into clinical development and expand the application of the iMAGIC platform across oncology and autoimmune diseases."

(Press release, Immunofoco, APR 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234664565])

On April 20, 2026 Orion Corporation (Orion Pharma) reported that its investigational drug ODM-212 has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mesothelioma, which is a rare and difficult to treat cancer. The FDA grants orphan drug designation to investigational therapies addressing rare diseases or conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the US.

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ODM-212 is an oral small-molecule pan-TEAD (Transcriptional Enhanced Associate Domain) inhibitor being tested in a Phase 2 clinical study (TEADES) for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) and other solid tumors with dysfunction in Hippo pathway. The trial includes patients who have progressed after receiving standard treatments and have no further treatment options. The primary endpoints of the study are safety and tolerability with secondary endpoints including Overall Response Rate, Progression Free Survival and Overall Survival. This is a global trial conducted at leading oncology centers in the US and Europe.

"Receiving orphan drug designation for mesothelioma is an important milestone for the ODM-212 program. It underscores the importance of developing urgently needed innovative therapies for patients living with mesothelioma" said Praveen Aanur, MD, MPH, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Oncology Therapy Area, Orion Pharma.

About Orphan Drug Designation
Orphan Drug Designation is granted by FDA to therapies intended to prevent, diagnose, or treat rare diseases or conditions. With this designation for ODM-212, Orion Pharma, the sponsor, is now qualified for incentives including tax credits, exepmption from user fees, and eligibility for a 7-year period of market exclusivity following approval. Orphan Drug Designation neither shortens the development time or regulatory review time of a drug nor gives the drug any advantage in the regulatory review or approval process.

About ODM-212
ODM-212 is an oral small-molecule pan-TEAD (Transcriptional Enhanced Associate Domain) inhibitor developed by Orion Pharma. It targets the Hippo signaling pathway, which regulates cell growth and organ size. Dysregulation of this pathway—particularly through YAP/TAZ activation—can lead to uncontrolled tumor growth and resistance to cancer therapies. ODM-212 works by blocking TEAD transcription factors, disrupting YAP-TEAD protein-protein interactions, and inhibiting TEAD auto-palmitoylation, which is essential for TEAD activity.

(Press release, Orion, APR 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234664582])

On April 20, 2026 Allogene Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALLO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of allogeneic CAR T (AlloCAR T) products, reported upcoming presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, April 17-22, 2026, in San Diego, Calif.

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Allogene’s presentations at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) highlight the potential of allogeneic CAR T to expand access, simplify delivery, and enable broader application of cell therapy across diseases when its inherent advantages are fully leveraged. The Company will participate in several AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026 scientific forums, including:

Poster: Preclinical Evaluation of Allogeneic BCMA/CD70 Dual CAR T Cells for High-Risk Multiple Myeloma
Presenter: Mark K. O’Dair, PhD, Allogene
Session Title: CAR T Cell Targets and TME Reprogramming
Poster Number: 1535
Location: Poster Section 7, Board 17
Session Date and Time: Monday, April 20, 9:00am-12:00pm PT

Based on its foundational work in oncology, Allogene is extending its Dagger technology into autoimmune disease, applying its gene-edited, dual-targeting CAR T approach to target both BCMA and CD70 on malignant plasma cells as well as selectively eliminate alloreactive immune cells to promote durable persistence with reduced need for chemotherapy-based lymphodepletion. This strategy builds on the Company’s expertise in allogeneic cell therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma and is designed to deliver a readily available, off-the-shelf treatment with the potential to transform how both cancer and autoimmune diseases are treated.

Major Symposium: Off-the-Shelf Cell Therapies for Cancer and Beyond
Presenter: David Chang, M.D., Ph.D., President, CEO and Co-Founder, Allogene Therapeutics
Title: Allogeneic CAR-T: Science at Scale (SY13-03)
Location: Room 28 – Upper Level – Convention Center
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 21, 12:30-2:00pm PT

The future of CAR T will be defined by its ability to reach more patients, more reliably and earlier in the course of disease. Allogene’s allogeneic approach is designed to unlock this potential across five key dimensions: speed, with on-demand availability; safety, manageable across care settings; simplicity, as a one-time outpatient treatment; scalability, enabling broad patient access; and survival, with the potential to deliver meaningful clinical outcomes. Together, these attributes represent a path toward making CAR T a more practical and widely accessible therapy.

Forum: Cell Therapy at a Crossroads: Exploring the Evolving Landscape between Autologous, Allogeneic, and In Vivo Engineering (Session: FO06)
Presenter: Zachary Roberts, M.D., Ph.D., EVP, Research and Development, CMO, Allogene Therapeutics
Location: Ballroom 20 AB – Upper Level – Convention Center
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 21, 5:00pm-6:30pm PT

Allogeneic CAR T therapy represents a major step forward in the evolution from autologous products. With extensive experience across both hematologic and solid tumors, Allogene has been a singular leader since the earliest days of allogeneic cell therapy and has defined a path through many of the scientific challenges the field has faced. As key trials advance Allogene is positioning allogeneic CAR T as a bridge to biologic-like manufacturing scale necessary to address an ever-growing patient demand for these life-saving products.

(Press release, Allogene, APR 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234664533])

On April 20, 2026 PharmaMar (MSE:PHM) reported that the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in Singapore have granted approval for Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq) as a first line maintenance treatment for adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), whose disease has not progressed after first-line induction therapy with atezolizumab, carboplatin and etoposide.

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The approvals are based on the results from the Phase 3 IMforte[i]trial.

PharmaMar’s partner in Australia and Singapore, Specialised Therapeutics Asia Pte, Ltd (STA), will market and commercialize the product.

These approvals were obtained under the Orbis Project, an initiative of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Oncology Center of Excellence, designed to provide a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology products among international partners. As of today, this treatment is approved in a total of 13 countries: the US, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Uruguay, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, Israel, Taiwan, Australia, Singapore and Dominican Republic.

PharmaMar also received a recommendation for approval from the European Medicines Agency in March. The European Commission will now decide on the marketing authorization in accordance with the established procedure.

(Press release, PharmaMar, APR 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234664549])

On April 20, 2026 Fapon Biopharma, a clinical-stage biotech company innovating therapeutic antibodies and fusion proteins, reported its participation in the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026, taking place April 19–22, 2026 in San Diego, California. At the meeting, the company is exhibiting at Booth No.3856 and presenting four scientific abstracts in the poster session, highlighting its scientific platform capabilities and pipeline progress.

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At AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026, Fapon Biopharma spotlights its two core technology platforms: IL-10 biased functional engineering and antibody fusion, and VHH human-monkey cross-binding T-cell engagers. These capabilities reflect the company’s focus on developing next-generation therapeutic approaches designed to deliver differentiated efficacy, improved translational potential, and broader applicability across immuno-oncology and aotoimmune diseases.

The company’s IL-10 biased functional engineering and antibody fusion platform underpins a series of novel cytokine-based fusion proteins intended to unlock more precise immune modulation. Among the most advanced programs is FP008, a global first-in-class PD1 x IL10M fusion protein and potential next-generation backbone for cancer immunotherapy, with Phase I readout anticipated in 2026. Fapon Biopharma is also advancing FP012, a global first-in-class TL1A x IL10MM fusion protein for inflammatory bowel disease and other inflammatory indications, with IND-enabling CMC/GLP toxicology planned in 2026.

Complementing this platform is Fapon Biopharma’s proprietary VHH human-monkey cross-binding T-cell engager platform, an innovative approach designed to overcome developability and flexibility challenges associated with traditional multi-specific antibodies. This technology is represented in the company’s expanding CD3/TCR VHHs, including FPE024, a potential best-in-class CD19xBCMAxCD3 tri-specific T-cell engager for autoimmune indications, and FPE021, a potential best-in-class CDH17-targeting T-cell engager with a second signal for gastrointestinal tract cancers. Both programs are expected to enter IND-enabling CMC/GLP toxicology in 2026.

Attendees are invited to visit Booth #3856 and attend Fapon Biopharma’s abstracts to learn more about the company’s technology platforms, research strategy, and pipeline programs. Fapon Biopharma is seeking strategic partners for co-development and licensing. For partnership inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] (USA, Europe and other regions) or [email protected] (Asia-Pacific)

Abstract #5582:
Tri-specific T-cell engager with second signal boosts solid tumor response efficacy, durability and safety
Tue, Apr 21, Section 8, Board 1, 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Abstract #5586:
A next-generation CD8-selective tri-specific T-cell engager targeting CDH17 with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity
Tue, Apr 21, Section 8, Board 5, 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Abstract #1637:
Human-cynomolgus cross-reactive CD3 nanobody-centric T-cell engager platform enhances clinical translation
Mon, Apr 20, Section 10, Board 29, 9:00am – 12:00pm

Abstract #5593:
A CD19/BCMA dual-targeting VHH format T-cell engager with novel CD3 binder for enhanced potency and safety profile
Tue, Apr 21, Section 8, Board 12, 2:00pm – 5:00pm

(Press release, Fapon Biopharma, APR 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234664566])