On August 20, 2026 NovaBridge Biosciences (Nasdaq: NBP) ("NovaBridge" or the "Company"), a global biotechnology company that identifies differentiated innovation and applies disciplined development, financing, and partnering strategies to create value, reported financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, and provided a business update. During the first half of 2026, the Company continued executing its strategic priorities by progressing key clinical milestones for its lead programs. The Company also strengthened leadership, governance, and capital allocation to support long-term value creation.
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"Significant innovation exists across geographies and organizations, yet many promising therapies never reach their full potential," said Srishti Gupta, MD, MPP, Chief Executive Officer of NovaBridge. "NovaBridge was built to identify those opportunities, advance them efficiently and create value through the path best suited to each asset. The progress of givastomig and VIS-101 reflects our ability to both identify differentiated science and to achieve meaningful development milestones, positioning NovaBridge to continue creating value for patients and shareholders."
"NovaBridge is building the capabilities required to succeed over the long term. The progress of givastomig and VIS-101, together with the continued strengthening of the organization, reflects deliberate execution against that objective," said Fu Wei, Chairman of the Board of NovaBridge.
Pipeline Overview and Potential Upcoming Milestones
NovaBridge’s two lead programs illustrate the complementary capabilities at the core of its strategy. Givastomig, a potential first-in-class Claudin 18.2-Targeted Immuno Amplifier ("CTIA"), reflects NovaBridge’s ability to efficiently execute differentiated science toward registrational development. VIS-101, a purpose-designed tetravalent VEGF-A × ANG-2 peptibody for retinal vascular diseases, developed through NovaBridge’s majority-owned subsidiary leading its ophthalmology platform, Visara, Inc. ("Visara"), reflects NovaBridge’s ability to identify and acquire differentiated therapeutic assets that others have overlooked.
Givastomig
Givastomig is a potential first-in-class CTIA. It is a bispecific Claudin 18.2 × 4-1BB antibody targeting Claudin 18.2-positive tumor cells being developed for the treatment of first-line metastatic gastric cancer.
In January 2026, NovaBridge reported positive data from the givastomig Phase 1b dose expansion combination study in patients with first-line ("1L") gastric cancer. The data showed that givastomig produced a 77% ORR at 8 mg/kg and 73% ORR at 12 mg/kg (among 52 evaluable subjects), and a 16.9-month median progression-free survival at 8 mg/kg (among 27 evaluable subjects), with responses observed across a range of PD-L1 and Claudin 18.2 expression levels. Givastomig demonstrated favorable overall tolerability in combination with immunochemotherapy without dose-dependent toxicity.
In February 2026, NovaBridge initiated a global, randomized Phase 2 study of givastomig combined with immunochemotherapy in patients with HER2-negative, 1L metastatic gastric cancer.
In March 2026, NovaBridge reported givastomig’s potential eligibility for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Accelerated Approval Pathway in first-line HER2-negative, Claudin 18.2-positive, PD-L1-positive patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma ("GEA").
In June 2026, the FDA granted Fast Track Designation to givastomig for the treatment of previously untreated HER2-negative advanced or metastatic GEA in combination with nivolumab and chemotherapy.
NovaBridge estimates that approximately 180,0001 patients are diagnosed with first-line GEA in the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan, of which approximately 105,0002,3 cases are HER2-negative and Claudin 18.2-positive, the population givastomig targets. The Company also believes givastomig has broad potential across other Claudin 18.2-positive gastrointestinal malignancies, including biliary tract cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Upcoming Givastomig Milestones:
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October 25, 2026: Poster presentation of Phase 1b combination dose expansion data at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2026
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As early as YE 2026: Initiate Phase 3 registrational study under a potential Accelerated Approval Pathway
VIS-101
VIS-101 is a potential best-in-class VEGF-A × ANG-2. It is a purpose-designed tetravalent peptibody being developed for neovascular retinal diseases. Positive Phase 2a data reported in March 2026 demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability results, meaningful visual acuity improvements, and encouraging durability in neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration ("nAMD") patients. VIS-101 is being developed for nAMD, diabetic macular edema ("DME"), and retinal vein occlusion ("RVO"), which together affect more than 57 million people globally.4
VIS-101 is being advanced through Visara. Consistent with NovaBridge’s operating model, Visara combines specialized ophthalmology expertise with NovaBridge’s strategic oversight, capital allocation, and business development capabilities to support focused execution and future growth of the ophthalmology franchise.
Upcoming VIS-101 Milestones:
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H2 2026: Initiate Phase 2b program in nAMD
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2027: Initiate global Phase 3 program in nAMD
1H Execution Highlights
During the first half of 2026 and subsequent period, NovaBridge continued to strengthen its leadership team to support the Company’s next phase of growth. NovaBridge appointed Srishti Gupta, MD, MPP, as Chief Executive Officer to lead corporate strategy, capital allocation, business development, and operational execution. The Company also appointed Mark Hagler as Chief Commercial Officer, adding commercial and portfolio planning expertise to support future development and partnership opportunities. At Visara, Jeffrey Nau, PhD, MMS, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer to lead the advancement of VIS-101 and the continued build-out of the ophthalmology franchise. With these additions, NovaBridge continued executing its strategy to identify, develop, and create value from differentiated therapeutic assets. During the period, the Company advanced key pipeline programs toward important development milestones while continuing to evaluate opportunities to expand its portfolio and create long-term value for patients and shareholders.
In addition, NovaBridge is implementing enhancements to its segment disclosure and half-year reporting structure, expected to provide shareholders with clearer visibility into the performance of the Company and its operating subsidiaries.
First Half 2026 Financial Results
Cash Position
As of June 30, 2026, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and equity investment at fair value of $215.9 million. Based on its current operating plan, the Company believes its cash position is sufficient to support the advancement of its portfolio through multiple anticipated clinical and strategic milestones, including givastomig’s planned Phase 3 interim data read-out in 2028.
Research & Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were $14.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The increase was primarily driven by investment in clinical development activities for givastomig and the continued build-out of NovaBridge’s development capabilities to support current and future portfolio programs.
Administrative Expenses
Administrative expenses were $26.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $8.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The increase was primarily driven by higher share-based compensation expense associated with equity awards granted in 2025, increased personnel-related costs as the Company expanded its organizational capabilities, and a one-time write-off of deferred offering costs related to the previously proposed HKEx dual primary listing.
Net Loss
Net loss was $37.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $8.7 million for the prior-year period. Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders was $0.14 compared to $0.05 in the prior-year period.
About Givastomig
Givastomig (TJ033721 / ABL111), a potential first-in-class CTIA, is a Claudin 18.2 × 4-1BB bispecific antibody. Givastomig conditionally activates T cells via the 4-1BB signaling pathway in the tumor microenvironment where Claudin 18.2 is expressed. Givastomig is being developed for potential treatment of gastric cancer, its current lead indication. Givastomig also has potential applicability across other Claudin 18.2+ gastrointestinal malignancies including biliary tract cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Givastomig is being evaluated in a global, randomized Phase 2 study (NCT07432295), following positive topline results from a Phase 1b, multicenter, open-label study in first-line gastric cancer. NovaBridge expects to initiate a Phase 3 registrational study under a potential Accelerated Approval Pathway as early as year end 2026.
Givastomig is being jointly developed through a global partnership with ABL Bio, Inc. ("ABL Bio"). NovaBridge is the lead party and shares worldwide rights equally with ABL Bio, excluding Greater China and South Korea.
About VIS-101
VIS-101 (ASKG712/AM712) is a tetravalent VEGF-A × ANG-2 peptibody purpose-designed to be best-in-class. It targets retinal vascular diseases, including nAMD, DME, and RVO, which together affect more than 57 million people globally.⁴ VIS-101 is the only intravitreal therapeutic with two binding sites for each of VEGF-A and ANG-2, and carries the molecular weight of a full-length monoclonal antibody, a structural design intended to deliver a rapid, robust, and durable treatment response for patients with neovascular retinal diseases.
VIS-101 has completed initial safety and dose-escalation studies in both the U.S. and China, along with a randomized, dose-ranging Phase 2a study in China (NCT05456828). It is expected to advance to a randomized, controlled, dose-determining Phase 2b study in the second half of 2026, with anticipated initiation of a global Phase 3 program in 2027.
NovaBridge is the majority shareholder of Visara, which controls global rights to VIS-101 outside of Greater China and certain countries in Asia.
References:
1.
Markets include U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Japan in 2025 based on Data Monitor Biomed Tracker, based on 1L treatment
2.
HER2-negative status of 78%. Van Cutsem E, Bang YJ, Feng-Yi F, et al. HER-2 screening data from ToGA: targeting HER2 in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. Gastric Cancer 2015;18(3):476-84
3.
CLDN18.2 positive status of ~70%. Kohei Shitara, et al, 2023 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (June 2-6), poster #4035
4.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021 Nov 24; 62 (14): 26. doi: 10.1167/iovs.62.14.26
Webcast/Conference Call Details:
NovaBridge will hold a webcast on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET/9:00 PM China Standard Time to discuss recent corporate progress and financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2026.
Webcast Information:
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Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
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Time: 9:00 AM ET/9:00 PM China Standard Time
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Web Access – China: Click here
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Webcast Access – All other locations: Click here
The live and archived webcast can also be accessed by visiting the NovaBridge Biosciences website on the Upcoming Events section of the Investors page. A replay of the webcast will be archived for at least 30 days after the event.
(Press release, NovaBridge Biosciences, AUG 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234670251])