On April 10, 2026 Vivatides Therapeutics, a global biotechnology company focused on developing extrahepatic RNA-targeting therapeutics, reported the successful closing of an oversubscribed $54 million Series A financing. The round was co-led by Qiming Venture Partners and a leading industry fund, with participation from Highlight Capital, a leading venture fund, and TF Capital. Existing investor Apricot Capital also continued to support the company with additional investment. Proceeds from the financing will be used to further advance Vivatides’ extrahepatic delivery platform, accelerate multiple pipeline programs into clinical development, and expand its global team and R&D network. As an emerging player in the RNA therapeutics field, Vivatides has completed both its seed and Series A financings within less than one year of founding, underscoring strong investor confidence in the company’s technological innovation and execution capabilities in extrahepatic RNA delivery.

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RNA therapeutics, with their broad target space, high specificity, and durable efficacy, are poised to become the third major therapeutic modality following small molecules and antibodies. However, traditional RNA therapeutics have largely been limited to liver-targeted applications due to delivery challenges. Diseases involving extrahepatic tissues remain significantly underserved and represent the next major frontier for innovation.

With advances in extrahepatic delivery technologies, RNA therapeutics are rapidly expanding beyond rare diseases into large, chronic disease areas such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and oncology, unlocking substantial market potential.

Founded in 2025, Vivatides has been dedicated to the innovation and translation of proprietary extrahepatic RNA delivery technologies. The company’s globally experienced leadership team includes experts from leading RNA therapeutics companies. The team has previously led or played key roles in multiple extrahepatic RNA programs, several of which have progressed into clinical development. Leveraging this deep expertise, Vivatides has built a differentiated extrahepatic delivery platform with capabilities spanning both siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides (ASO). The company has achieved key advances in ligand conjugation, delivery efficiency, tissue targeting specificity, and safety, with encouraging in vivo results already demonstrated. Combined with strong capabilities in sequence design and target discovery, the platform enables rapid parallel advancement and expansion of a diversified pipeline.

"Extrahepatic delivery is the key that will unlock RNA therapeutics from niche rare diseases to broad chronic indications," said Keming Zhou, Founder of Vivatides Therapeutics. "We are honored to have the support and recognition of leading investors. This financing will accelerate the evolution of our platform and pipeline, advancing innovative RNA therapeutics into extrahepatic disease areas. We believe that overcoming delivery barriers will enable RNA therapeutics to transform treatment paradigms across a wide range of diseases. We also look forward to engaging with more long-term, value-driven partners to bring transformative therapies to patients worldwide."

Dr. Kan Chen, Partner at Qiming Venture Partners and Co-leads Qiming’s investments in the healthcare sector, commented: " We have long been optimistic about the application potential of small nucleic acid drugs across a broader range of disease areas. Continuous advances in extrahepatic targeting technologies are steadily expanding their clinical frontiers. Vivatides Therapeutics has demonstrated solid technological expertise and efficient execution capabilities in this field, with encouraging progress achieved on its platform. We look forward to the company driving further technological breakthroughs, accelerating the clinical translation of its pipeline, and delivering safer and more effective innovative therapies to patients worldwide."

Dr. Wei Ding, Partner at Apricot Capital, commented: "As an early investor in Vivatides’ seed round, we are delighted to see the company successfully complete its Series A financing and welcome new investors. Since its founding, Dr. Zhou and his team have consistently exceeded expectations with exceptional execution in platform development and pipeline advancement. We look forward to Vivatides translating its differentiated platform into breakthrough therapies that benefit patients worldwide and leading the next wave of extrahepatic RNA therapeutics."

Following the financing, Vivatides will further accelerate preclinical optimization and IND-enabling studies, expand its R&D and management teams, and continue to strengthen its extrahepatic delivery platform. Looking ahead, the company will remain focused on addressing unmet medical needs in high-prevalence extrahepatic diseases, becoming a leader in RNA therapeutics and delivering more effective and safer treatment options to patients worldwide.

(Press release, Vivatides Therapeutics, APR 10, 2026, View Source [SID1234664305])

On April 9, 2026 Oricell Therapeutics Holdings Limited ("Oricell"), a global clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering innovative cancer immunotherapies, reported the cumulative closing of a pre-IPO financing round in excess of $110 million. The round was co-led by Vivo Capital, Beijing Medical and Health Care Industry Investment Fund, Qiming Venture Partners, and a leading global healthcare fund. The syndicate included an international sovereign wealth fund, E-Town Capital, Luxin Venture Capital, NGS Super, Elikon Investment, and Talon Capital.

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Proceeds will be strategically allocated to accelerate Oricell’s global expansion and clinical development, while strengthening its technological capabilities and paving the way to capital market milestones.

As a frontrunner in cell therapy, OriCell is focused on engineering CAR-Ts with global clinical impact, having already secured confirmatory proof-of-concept (POC) data across multiple pipelines. By leveraging its proprietary triad: the OriAb antibody screening and engineering platform, the OriArmoring functional enhancement platform, and the OnGo (Fast) rapid CMC manufacturing expertise, the company has built a differentiated portfolio that positions it at the vanguard of the global CAR-T race.

OriCell’s lead asset, Ori-C101, is a GPC3-targeted autologous CAR-T therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Having successfully navigated investigator-initiated trials (IIT) and a registrational Phase 1 study, the program is now gearing up for pivotal trials. Clinical readouts have demonstrated a best-in-class efficacy and safety profile, with data highlighted at major forums including the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. With these promising results, Ori-C101 is positioned to become the first-in-class CAR-T therapy approved globally for HCC.

Beyond its lead asset, Oricell is aggressively advancing a diverse portfolio of next-generation modalities, including secreted, rapid-production, and in vivo CAR-T programs.

Dr. Huanfeng Yang, Chairman and CEO of Oricell Therapeutics, stated: "This financing is a testament to the global potential of our science and the dedication of our team. As we approach key inflection points in our clinical programs, our priority is clear: expedite the global development of our core assets and deepening our research into revolutionary technologies, including in vivo CAR-T and solid tumor CAR-T. We are committed to delivering transformative therapies that offer real hope to cancer patients worldwide, positioning Oricell as a dominant force in the global immunotherapy arena."

Mr. Shan Fu, Managing Partner at Vivo Capital, commented: "While cell therapy is undoubtedly the future of oncology, solid tumors remain the industry’s toughest nut to crack. Oricell distinguishes itself not just through best-in-class clinical data for its GPC3 CAR-T, but also through a pragmatic and visionary roadmap for next-generation modalities like in vivo CAR-T. We have high conviction in their integrated ‘Platform and Pipeline’ strategy and believe they are poised to set the new standard of care in the field. Vivo Capital is eager to deploy our global network to accelerate Oricell’s expansion into international markets."

Mr. William Hu, Managing Partner at Qiming Venture Partners, stated: "As an early investor that has stood with Oricell since the Pre-A round, we have witnessed every milestone of its journey—from technological exploration to pipeline realization, and from local innovation to global expansion. We look forward to Oricell leveraging breakthrough cell therapy solutions and stronger clinical data to define the next generation of cancer care, bringing hope to patients worldwide."

(Press release, OriCell Therapeutics, APR 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234664276])

On April 9, 2026 Boehringer Ingelheim reported a clinical trial collaboration with BioNTech to evaluate a novel immuno‑oncology combination in extensive‑stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), one of the most aggressive and underserved forms of cancer. Under the agreement, BioNTech will supply pumitamig (BNT327/BMS‑986545), a PD‑L1/VEGF‑A bispecific antibody being jointly developed by BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb, and Boehringer Ingelheim will be the regulatory sponsor of the Phase Ib/II study. The aim is to assess safety, tolerability and early clinical activity of obrixtamig (BI 764532), Boehringer Ingelheim’s investigational DLL3/CD3 T‑cell engager, in combination with pumitamig.

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SCLC is the most aggressive subtype of lung cancer and represents around 15–20% of all lung cancer cases. It progresses rapidly, metastasizes early and almost always recurs within a year after initial treatment. While the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors to chemotherapy has led to improved survival outcomes for patients with extensive-stage disease, most patients progress within months after treatment, and the prognosis remains poor. The collaboration combines two complementary immunotherapeutic mechanisms to explore a potential new path to enhance and sustain antitumor immunity. Obrixtamig redirects T-cells to kill DLL3 expressing tumor cells, while pumitamig aims to restore T-cells’ ability to recognize and destroy tumor cells while cutting off the blood and oxygen supply that feeds the tumor with the intention of preventing it from growing and proliferating.

"By uniting T‑cell redirection against DLL3 with PD-L1 and VEGF pathway modulation, we aim to address two central barriers in SCLC – immune evasion and an immunosuppressive, pro‑angiogenic microenvironment," said Itziar Canamasas, Global Head of Oncology at Boehringer Ingelheim. "We are committed to advancing combinations that could deliver more durable benefit for people living with ES‑SCLC."

Obrixtamig is Boehringer Ingelheim’s investigational bispecific DLL3/CD3 T‑cell engager, designed to direct immune cells to attack DLL3‑expressing cancer cells, a hallmark of small cell lung cancer and other neuroendocrine carcinomas. In the global Phase I first‑line ES‑SCLC study DAREON‑8, in combination with chemotherapy and atezolizumab, obrixtamig achieved a 68% confirmed objective response rate, 89% disease control rate, and a 9‑month progression‑free survival rate of 52%, with a favorable safety profile1. Obrixtamig is being evaluated across multiple global studies and is advancing into a global Phase III trial (DAREON‑Lung‑1, NCT07472517). It has received FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations, as well as Orphan Drug status from the European Commission for neuroendocrine carcinomas.

Pumitamig is an investigational PD‑L1/VEGF‑A bispecific antibody being jointly developed by BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb that combines two complementary, validated mechanisms in one single molecule – immune checkpoint inhibition and anti-angiogenesis. In a global Phase II first‑line ES‑SCLC study in combination with chemotherapy, pumitamig demonstrated a 76.3% confirmed objective response rate, 100% disease control rate, and median progression-free survival of 6.8 months, with a manageable safety profile2. The program has advanced into a global Phase III trial (ROSETTA LUNG‑01, NCT06712355) and received FDA Orphan Drug Designation in 2025 for the treatment of SCLC.

Under the terms of the agreement, BioNTech will supply pumitamig and Boehringer Ingelheim will be the regulatory sponsor of the study. Both companies retain full rights to their respective assets, and the agreement is mutually non-exclusive. The trial will begin dosing patients in the second half of 2026.

(Press release, Boehringer Ingelheim, APR 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234664292])

On April 9, 2026 Anixa Biosciences, Inc. ("Anixa" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: ANIX), a biotechnology company focused on the treatment and prevention of cancer, reported that Dr. Amit Kumar, Anixa’s Chairman and CEO, will participate in the upcoming RedChip Biotech Resurgence: Platforms and Pipelines of Today’s Innovators virtual investor conference on April 16, 2026, at 3:30 pm ET.

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The presentation will cover several topics, including an overview of the Company and its business model, the Company’s breast cancer vaccine meeting primary endpoints and generating protocol-defined immune responses in 74% of participants in its Phase 1 clinical trial, and the Company’s ovarian cancer CAR-T therapy, lira-cel, exhibiting positive survival data in its ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial.

RedChip’s virtual investor conference brings investors direct access to publicly traded companies advancing the future of healthcare across biopharma, medtech, diagnostics, and digital health. Throughout this full-day virtual event, company executives will present their business models, pipeline strategies, clinical and commercial milestones, and competitive positioning within an evolving healthcare landscape. Each session will include a live Q&A, giving investors the opportunity to engage directly with leadership teams.

Registration to attend this virtual investor conference may be completed at: Event Registration.

(Press release, Anixa Biosciences, APR 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234664261])

On April 9, 2026 Alpheus Medical, Inc., a private, clinical-stage biotechnology company, reported the initiation of its Phase 2b randomized controlled trial in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (nGBM) with 10 patients enrolled to date and additional clinical sites continuing to come online.

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Glioblastoma is a highly infiltrative brain tumor in which cancer cells extend beyond the visible tumor margins and spread throughout the brain hemisphere, limiting the effectiveness of surgery and localized therapies.

To address this challenge, the Alpheus study is evaluating an investigational therapy based on Porphyrin Metabolite Activation (PoMA), an approach previously described in the literature as Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT). This drug-centered approach leverages a molecule that preferentially accumulates in tumor cells, followed by activation using low-intensity ultrasound to enable localized pharmacologic effects. The treatment is designed to act within tumor cells throughout the affected hemisphere.

"Glioblastoma patients have few effective treatment options and poor long-term outcomes, highlighting the urgent need for innovation," said David Reardon, MD, Director of the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Principal Investigator of the study. "Alpheus’ approach is designed to address the diffuse nature of the disease by enabling treatment across the affected hemisphere. We look forward to generating data to understand its potential role in patient care."

"The Phase 2b trial marks an important step forward in bringing our new therapeutic approach to patients with glioblastoma," said Vijay Agarwal, MD, FAANS, FCNS, Chief Executive Officer of Alpheus Medical. "We believe our drug-centered approach has the potential to address the diffuse nature of the disease in ways that localized treatment cannot. With strong early enrollment, we are focused on generating the randomized clinical data to advance this therapy."

About the Therapy and Trial
Alpheus Medical is developing a novel therapeutic approach based on Porphyrin Metabolite Activation (PoMA), a drug-centered strategy that leverages a molecule that preferentially accumulates in tumor cells, followed by activation using low-intensity, diffuse ultrasound designed to enable treatment across the affected hemisphere, achieving localized pharmacologic effects. Previously described in clinical literature as SDT, this non-invasive approach is intended to activate the molecule directly within tumor cells while minimizing systemic exposure.

The company’s Phase 2b study (NCT07225621) is a multi-center, randomized trial expected to enroll more than 100 newly diagnosed high-grade glioma patients at up to 15 U.S and European sites. Eligible patients have undergone resection and standard radiochemotherapy. The study compares standard of care alone to standard of care plus investigational therapy. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) with key secondary endpoints including overall survival (OS), safety, and tolerability.

For patients and caregivers seeking more information about the study and enrolling sites, visit www.BrainCancerTrial.com.

(Press release, Alpheus Medical, APR 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234664277])