On July 16, 2025 SandboxAQ and iOncologi reported a strategic collaboration to jointly develop, validate, and commercialize a novel high-fidelity mRNA vaccine for glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor in adults (Press release, iOncologi, JUL 16, 2025, View Source [SID1234654415]). The joint effort combines SandboxAQ’s proven software and biologics technology for drug candidate identification and lead optimization with iOncologi’s deep tech immunotherapy design and clinical expertise to overcome longstanding barriers in brain cancer treatment.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Because treatment options are limited, people diagnosed with glioblastoma usually survive less than two years. This aggressive cancer accounts for about 15% of all primary brain tumors, about 300,000 new cases and more than 200,000 deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization.

"Glioblastoma’s rapid progression and high mortality rate make it one of the most devastating cancers in the world," said Jack Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ. "Our collaboration with iOncologi aims to create a new and effective treatment for this challenging condition, pairing the most comprehensive oncology datasets with advanced quantitative AI tools and simulation techniques, greatly accelerating the drug discovery process."

The joint program aims to deliver a lead therapeutic candidate into the clinic within 18 months by combining SandboxAQ’s AQBioSim platform for drug discovery and optimization, with iOncologi’s leadership in immunotherapy design and clinical execution. iOncologi specializes in precision immunotherapies that reprogram and redirect the immune system to target tumors previously considered untreatable, particularly those shielded by the blood-brain barrier or cloaked in immune tolerance.

"iOncologi is reimagining cancer immunotherapy by integrating immune intelligence, mRNA engineering, and drug delivery platforms into universal and adaptable, patient-specific treatment models," said Dr. Edgardo Rodriguez-Lebron, CEO of iOncologi. "By combining this with SandboxAQ’s ability to model and rapidly optimize molecules across vast chemical and biological spaces, we are well-positioned to advance a truly transformative therapeutic for glioblastoma, and eventually for other treatment-resistant solid tumors."

SandboxAQ’s AQBioSim platform uses Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) grounded in physics and chemistry to rapidly identify potential drug candidates, simulate molecular behavior and design new potential drug molecules, in the same way as other generative models might output text or images. SandboxAQ’s generative chemistry AI model has been shown to design new molecules with better binding characteristics than the next best technologies, such as large-scale virtual screening, and it does this 100 times faster and at lower cost.

"SandboxAQ’s Large Quantitative Models and AI simulation techniques have proven their ability to rapidly identify and design molecules that address some of the most challenging diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s," said Nadia Harhen, General Manager of AI Simulation and head of the AQBioSim division at SandboxAQ. "By adapting the technology stack to oncology, we believe we can make a significant impact where traditional approaches and other advanced technologies have failed."

In June, SandboxAQ also announced a collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) to support SU2C-funded cancer research projects. Leveraging LQMs, the initiative aims to accelerate the development of new treatments, including supporting efforts to detect hard-to-diagnose and treat cancers, and leverage predictive modeling to optimize treatment response and monitor potential recurrence.

On July 16, 2025 Imugene Limited (ASX:IMU) (Company), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company, reported it has received firm commitments from institutional and sophisticated investors (Placement Subscribers) for a $22.5 million placement of 68.2 million new fully paid ordinary shares (New Shares) in the Company at a price of $0.33 per share (Placement) (Press release, Imugene, JUL 16, 2025, https://mcusercontent.com/e38c43331936a9627acb6427c/files/8f06edf2-4d00-ada9-d455-5d6b87cbf237/Imugene_Completes_225M_Placement_and_c_15M_SPP.pdf [SID1234654399]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The Placement is being followed by an SPP, to raise up to $15 million, for existing eligible shareholders (Eligible Shareholders), with applications up to a maximum of $100,000. The SPP will be made to Eligible Shareholders at the same terms as the Placement and will be subject to shareholder approval.

Under the Placement and SPP (together, the Offer), Placement Subscribers and Eligible Shareholders are anticipated to receive three (3) free attaching listed options for every four (4) New Shares subscribed for under the Offer (Attaching Options). The Attaching Options will have an exercise price of $0.43 per option with an expiration of 30 March 2026 and will be subject to shareholder approval. It is intended that the Attaching Options will be quoted on the ASX.

Placement Subscribers and Eligible Shareholders are also anticipated to receive one (1) additional free option for every one (1) Attaching Option exercised prior to 30 March 2026 (Piggyback Option). The Piggyback Options will have an exercise price of $0.86 per option, with an expiration of 30 June 2028, and will be subject to shareholder approval. It is intended that the Piggyback Options will be quoted on the ASX.

The full details of the rights and liabilities attaching to the Attaching Options and Piggyback Options are annexed to this announcement.

The funds raised from the Offer will be used:

 to fund research and development of the azer-cel program through a pivotal clinical trial in CY26;
 extending the funding runway into mid CY27; and
 general administrative and working capital.

Imugene Managing Director and CEO Leslie Chong said: "Following the strong support received in the recent oversubscribed placement, Imugene is pleased to extend this opportunity to existing retail shareholders through a Share Purchase Plan (SPP), enabling participation on the same terms. The placement, together with the SPP and existing cash reserves, places the company in a strong financial position to progress the azer-cel program towards a potential pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial, based on the promising efficacy data reported earlier this week".

About the Placement

Under the terms of the Placement, the Company has secured firm commitments for $22.5 million and proposes to issue up to 68.2 million New Shares to Placement Subscribers at a price of $0.33 per share, representing a discount of:

 22.4% to the last close of $0.4250 on 11 July 2025; and
 19.6% to the five-day VWAP of $0.4107 up to and including 11 July 2025.

The Placement is being conducted under Imugene’s existing placement capacity pursuant to ASX Listing Rule 7.1.

For every four (4) New Shares subscribed for by Placement Subscribers under the Placement, Imugene intends to issue three (3) Attaching Options. The Attaching Options will have an exercise price of $0.43 per option and expiry date of 30 March 2026. For every one (1) Attaching Option exercised prior to the expiry date, Imugene intends to issue one (1) Piggyback Option, with an exercise price of $0.86 and an expiration of 30 June 2028.

The Attaching Options and Piggyback Options (New Options) will be set out in a prospectus (Prospectus). The issuance of the New Options will be subject to shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to be convened shortly.

Bell Potter Securities Limited and E&P Capital Pty Ltd acted as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners to the Placement and are entitled to the fees as set out In the Appendix 3B lodged today.

About the SPP

The Company will also offer an SPP to Eligible Shareholders at an offer price of $0.33 per share (Offer Price). This is the same price as for the Placement and, as with the Placement, the SPP is currently not underwritten.

Under the SPP, Eligible Shareholders listed on the Imugene register at 7:00pm (Sydney time) on the record date of Tuesday, 15 July 2025 with an address in Australia or New Zealand, will be offered the opportunity to apply for up to $100,000 of New Shares in Imugene, without incurring brokerage fees or other transactions costs, irrespective of their holding size. The SPP will be subject to certain eligibility criteria and other terms and conditions of the SPP which will be out in in the Prospectus and dispatched to eligible shareholders.

The New Shares Issued under the SPP will be subject to shareholder approval at an EGM expected to be held in August 2025.

Notwithstanding the target raise amount of $15 million for the SPP, the Company reserves its right to increase or decrease the amount to be raised under the SPP.

As with the Placement, for every four (4) New Shares subscribed for by Eligible Shareholders under the SPP, Imugene intends to issue three (3) Attaching Options on the same terms as the Placement. For every one (1) Attaching Option exercised by an Eligible Shareholders prior to the expiry date, Imugene intends to issue one (1) Piggyback Option on the same terms as the Placement. The Attaching Options and Piggyback Options are subject to shareholder approval.

Additionally, the Company reserves the right to issue up to 4.4 million options to investors who commit to take-up shortfall of the SPP (subject to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and ASX Listing Rules, including shareholder approval if required).

On July 16, 2025 HanchorBio Inc. (TPEx: 7827.TWO), a pioneer of immunotherapy biologics, reported its official listing on the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) Emerging Stock Board under the ticker symbol 7827.TWO and the name Hanchor-KY (Press release, Hanchor Bio, JUL 16, 2025, View Source [SID1234654416]). The company enters the public market with over USD 80 million in equity financing, backed by cumulative investments from leading global institutional investors, including Vivo Capital, Panacea Venture, and Affinity Capital. Effective on June 20, 2025, the listing marks a significant step forward for the company as momentum builds around its best-in-class CD47-targeting immunotherapy, HCB101.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

As HanchorBio actively fundraises, interested parties may contact: [email protected]

"This IPO is more than a financial milestone — it’s a defining moment for all of us at HanchorBio," said Scott Liu, PhD, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of HanchorBio. "When we started this journey just a few years ago, our vision was bold: to build a next-generation immunotherapy company with global impact. Today, we are one step closer to realizing that vision with a differentiated platform; an advanced pipeline with more than six first-in-class, multifunctional fusion proteins; and encouraging clinical results. I’m incredibly grateful to our dedicated team, Board of Directors, world-class scientific advisors, and the supportive investors who have believed in us from the beginning. We believe Taiwan is uniquely positioned to nurture the next set of global leaders in precision immunotherapy, and we are proud to contribute to this transformation."

Harnessing the potential of immunotherapy

Immunotherapy for cancer treatment holds significant promise, and the global market specifically for CD47-targeting immunotherapies like HCB101 is particularly lucrative — it is projected to exceed US$40 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 18%, according to Frost and Sullivan.

HanchorBio’s listing also reflects the growing role Taiwan is playing as a strategic center for biotech innovation. According to BioSpectrum Asia, Taiwan’s biotech sector is steadily expanding through coordinated efforts between government and industry.

The company’s public listing offers investors exposure to:

A validated clinical asset (HCB101) with global regulatory clearance
A next-generation biologics platform (FBDB) with broad licensing and development potential
Strategic operations across the U.S., mainland China, and Taiwan
A seasoned leadership team with over 30 IND submissions and 10 NDA/BLA filings and approvals
Growing momentum of HCB101

HanchorBio’s leading treatment, HCB101, has reached major milestones recently. It began Phase 2 clinical trials in March 2025, with participants from Taiwan, the United States, and China. In late May, the company also shared interim results from its ongoing Phase 1a dose-escalation trial (NCT05892718) at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. The key findings included:

Favorable safety and tolerability across escalating dose cohorts
Plasma exposure increased in a greater-than-dose-proportional manner and with increased half-life at higher doses
High-level CD47 receptor occupancy in peripheral immune cells
Early clinical signs of anti-tumor activity:
Six patients in the low-dose cohorts achieved stable disease (SD) at the best response, including one ovarian cancer patient (1.28 mg/kg) who maintained disease control for over 32 weeks.
Two patients in the higher-dose cohorts achieved confirmed partial responses (PRs):
A head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient at 5.12 mg/kg experienced a 27% tumor reduction in the sum of diameters (SOD) at Week 8, then increasing to 42% by Week 16.
A patient with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) at 8 mg/kg achieved a PR confirmed by PET imaging at Week 8.

On July 16, 2025 SN BioScience reported that its anticancer candidate SNB-101 has been selected as a clinical-stage project under the 2025 Korea Drug Development Project, a government-initiated program led by the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF) (Press release, SN BioScience, JUL 16, 2025, View Source [SID1234654417]). The program includes two years of research support, aiding the company’s advancement of SNB-101 into global Phase 1b/2 trials.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF) is a government agency funded by three ministries. It aims to actively fund and provide necessary support for drug development in academia and the pharmaceutical industry.

As Korea’s most authoritative national drug development platform, the KDDF is dedicated to advancing innovative drug development projects, spanning the entire process from early discovery to clinical stages.

SNB-101 is a polymeric nanoparticle-based nanoformulation of SN-38, the potent active metabolite of irinotecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor in the Camptothecin class. Utilizing its proprietary dual nanomicelle platform, the drug is designed to maximize tumor-specific targeting by leveraging the Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing toxicity to healthy tissues.

SNB-101 has already garnered international recognition through multiple regulatory designations as a next-generation anticancer therapy. The U.S. FDA has granted SNB-101 Orphan Drug Designation for both small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and pancreatic cancer, and has also granted Fast Track Designation for SCLC — a regulatory green light to accelerate its development timeline.

SN BioScience is set to launch a multinational Phase 1b/2 clinical trial for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), spanning key sites across South Korea, the United States, and Europe. The study will focus on dose optimization, safety, and efficacy, with particular emphasis on enrolling a racially and ethnically diverse patient population to support early commercialization efforts.

Given the aggressive nature and poor prognosis of this rare cancer, SNB-101 is gaining attention as a potential second- or third-line treatment for patients who have failed existing therapies. Furthermore, the company is exploring combination strategies with immunotherapies to position SNB-101 as a potential first- or second-line standard of care in the future.

"SNB-101 represents our commitment to overcoming the limitations of conventional cancer therapies," said Young-Hwan Park, CEO of SN BioScience. "This national grant will accelerate our global clinical development and solidify SNB-101’s position as a next-generation anticancer therapy."

On July 16, 2025 Kairos Pharma, Ltd. (NYSE American:KAPA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative cancer therapeutics, reported participation and presentation at the H.C. Wainwright 27th Annual Global Investment Conference, taking place September 8–10, 2025, at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York City (Press release, Kairos Pharma, JUL 16, 2025, View Source [SID1234654418]). Kairos Pharma will participate in on-on-one meetings and present at the meeting which will be available virtually and hosted on the kairospharma.com website.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

John Yu, MD, CEO and Chairman, will be hosting one-on-one meetings during the meeting September 8-10. To register for one-on-one meetings with management at The Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York City.