On March 18, 2026 Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) reported the presentation of new preclinical data across multiple early development programs currently in Phase I clinical trials, at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) congress. These latest data include an oral presentation for T cell activator (TCA) IPN01203 to be presented during the coveted New Drugs on the Horizon program session, highlighting the differentiated mode of action, activating Vβ6/Vβ10 T cells. These latest preclinical data will expand the growing evidence base, reinforcing the first-in-class potential of IPN01203 to improve outcomes where there are significant unmet needs for people living with solid tumors.

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Additionally, Ipsen revealed ITGA2 as the novel target for innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) IPN60300, now in active Phase I evaluation. Preclinical findings showed pronounced over-expression of ITGA2 across multiple solid tumors—including pancreatic, gastric and colorectal cancers—with clear differential expression when compared to normal tissues. These results confirmed that IPN60300 binds specifically and with high affinity to ITGA2, enabling efficient internalization and accumulation of the exatecan payload. Further preclinical tumor model data showed dose-dependent anti-tumor activity and favorable tolerability, suggesting a promising first-in-class therapy with the potential to improve clinical outcomes.

"These data presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) exemplify our approach to early science, showcasing how we are harnessing precision immuno-modulation backed by the strength of preclinical data to advance next generation therapies where there are the highest unmet needs," said Mary Jane Hinrichs, SVP Early Development, Ipsen. "It’s a privilege to see the growing transformative potential of these new modalities, paving the way for potential best- and first-in-class impact for people living with cancer."

Underscoring the strength and promise of Ipsen’s precision medicine approach, IPN01203 and IPN60300 combine precision targeting with innovative mechanisms of action with the aim of delivering strength of efficacy where few other treatments exist.

About IPN01203

IPN01203 is a first-in-class T cell activator which selectively activates a group of Vβ6 T cells through the TCR and IL-15R pathways, enhancing their ability to recognize and target tumors. IPN01203 was generated by Marengo’s Selective T Cell Activation Repertoire (STAR) platform, a multi-specific fusion protein library that targets specific TCR Vβ variants fused to different co-stimulate moieties to develop potent T cell activators. A Phase I/II dose escalation and expansion trial is ongoing.

About IPN60300

IPN60300 is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate targeting the novel tumor antigen ITGA2 known to be overexpressed in many solid tumors, including pancreatic, gastric and colorectal cancers. This novel tumor antigen was identified using Foreseen’ Biotechnology’s high throughput, integrated translational proteomics, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered screening platforms. Comprised of an ITGA2-targeting antibody, exatecan payload and innovative linker from Escugen Biotechnology’s EZWi-Fit, IPN60300 is optimally designed to allow for a wide therapeutic index, with potential for improved efficacy over standard of care as well as a favorable safety profile. A Phase I/II dose escalation and expansion trial is ongoing.

(Press release, Ipsen, MAR 18, 2026, View Source [SID1234663702])

On March 18, 2026 Freenome, an early cancer detection company developing blood-based screening tests, reported initial development data for its investigational lung cancer screening test. The data demonstrate the potential of a multiomics approach that combines DNA methylation analysis and protein markers to detect lung cancer in high-risk individuals.

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Freenome investigators will present the data at next month’s AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in San Diego. Poster presentation details:

Abstract Number: 1107
Title: Development and performance of a multiomics lung cancer screening blood test
Presenter: Ofer Shapira, Freenome director of computational biology
Session Title: Early Detection Biomarkers 1
Session Date and Time: Sunday, April 19, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT
For the study, an AI/ML classifier was trained on tissue (n=136) and plasma (n=6,716) samples. The test’s accuracy was evaluated in 673 plasma samples, including 363 lung cancer cases across all stages and 310 cancer-negative controls, from individuals matching the intended screening population (adults aged 50-80 with high-risk smoking history).

In this cohort, Freenome’s proprietary multiomics platform — using base-resolution methylation sequencing of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and plasma protein immunoassays — achieved adjusted sensitivity* of 90.7% at 50% specificity and 80.4% at 75% specificity for detecting lung cancer. The multiomic approach outperformed a methylation-only version of the test, which showed adjusted sensitivities of 85.8% and 78.2% at the same specificity thresholds.

The multiomics test detected lung cancer across all three subtypes evaluated in this study (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and small-cell lung cancer) and across all disease stages, including an adjusted sensitivity of 77.1% at 50% specificity for Stage I cases.

"Less than 20% of eligible high-risk adults are currently screened for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.," said Jimmy Lin, M.D., Ph.D. MHS, chief scientific officer at Freenome. "A blood-based screening test could provide a more accessible option to increase screening participation. In this study, our multiomics approach demonstrated the potential of our test to detect lung cancer across stages and subtypes, and we’re encouraged as we continue to advance to a larger validation study in a previously unseen evaluation cohort."

Freenome is developing a flexible multi-cancer detection platform designed to support a personalized test offering tailored to each individual’s health status, risk factors and screening recommendations. Leveraging a single blood draw and a common assay, this approach utilizes machine and deep learning classifiers to optimize diagnostic accuracy across a diverse range of cancer types.

*Reported sensitivities are adjusted to address differences between the evaluation cohort and literature-reported distributions for stage and histological subtype

(Press release, Freenome, MAR 18, 2026, View Source [SID1234663718])

On March 18, 2026 Kupando, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company developing a TLR 4/7 agonist that stimulates innate immunity and induces trained immunity for use in oncology and infectious diseases, reported that it has secured an additional €10 million in Series A financing. This latest investment brings Kupando’s total Series A funding to €23 million.

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The investment was again led by Remiges Ventures, co-led by LifeCare Partners, with additional investments by all other existing investors, among them Brandenburg Kapital, High-Tech Gründerfonds and Ventura Biomed Investors. Carma Fund joined as a new investor. The proceeds will be used to fund the Phase 1b clinical study of Kupando’s lead candidate, KUP101, in advanced solid tumors and to accelerate its preclinical programs in infectious diseases.

Kupando’s disruptive approach harnesses the power of innate immune stimulation and induction of trained innate immunity by dual Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) agonists. Its lead candidate, KUP101, is a differentiated dual TLR 4 and 7 agonist with a robust preclinical profile approaching clinical development. KUP101 is ideally suited for the systemic treatment of solid tumors (tissue agnostic), and the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including antimicrobial-resistant infections. Its AMR program is being sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.

"We are incredibly grateful for the continued strong support from our existing investors and excited to welcome Carma Fund to the Kupando family," said Johanna Holldack, MD, Founder and CEO of Kupando. "This additional funding is a testament to the potential of our innovative dual TLR agonist platform and will be instrumental in advancing KUP101 into clinical studies for solid tumors and accelerating our crucial work in infectious diseases. Our mission is to leverage the natural resilience of the innate immune system to deliver truly transformative therapies for patients in critical need."

New investor Martin Raditsch, PhD, Managing Partner of Carma Fund, commented, "Kupando’s unique approach to leveraging innate immunity holds immense promise across oncology and infectious diseases. This successful funding round, especially in the current challenging financial climate, underscores the confidence we, as investors, have in Kupando’s science, team, and potential to deliver impactful solutions for unmet medical needs."

Kazuhiko Nonomura, PhD, Partner of Remiges Ventures and member of Kupando’s Advisory Board, added, "Remiges Ventures is proud to continue leading the investment in Kupando. We believe Kupando’s dual TLR 4 and 7 agonist technology, particularly KUP101, has the potential to redefine treatment paradigms in both cancer and infectious diseases. We are excited to see the company transition to the clinical stage and unlock the full potential of its pipeline."

Kupando was founded by its CEO Johanna Holldack, MD, driven by the natural resilience observed in animals relying solely on innate immunity. Recognizing the historically undervalued yet critical role of this system, especially with the new understanding of innate and trained immunity, Kupando has made it the core of its therapeutic approach.

(Press release, Kupando, MAR 18, 2026, View Source [SID1234663703])

On March 18, 2026 Crossbow Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing a novel class of potent and precise antibody therapies to treat a broad range of cancers, reported it has raised $77 million in a Series B financing that will support the completion of the CROSSCHECK-001 Phase 1 clinical trial of the company’s lead program, CBX-250, and accelerate development of additional T-Bolt immunotherapies designed to extend the reach of antibody therapy across a broad range of cancers.

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This Series B financing was co-led by Taiho Ventures and Arkin Bio Capital, with participation from new investors Sixty Degree Capital, Hamilton Square Partners Management LP, LifeLink Ventures, Libbs Ventures, and Blood Cancer United’s Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP), as well as existing investors MPM BioImpact, Pfizer Ventures, BVF Partners, Polaris Partners, Eli Lilly and Company, and Mirae Asset Venture Investment. As part of the financing, Sakae Asanuma, President & CEO of Taiho Ventures, and Pini Orbach, Managing Partner of Arkin Bio Capital, have joined Crossbow’s Board of Directors.

Crossbow is developing a broad portfolio of novel T-cell engager (TCE) therapies that potently target peptide human leukocyte antigen (pHLA) on cancer cells, using antibodies that mimic T-cell receptors (TCR-mimetics). These investigational products, known as T-BoltTM molecules, can be adapted to address a broad range of malignancies, potentially targeting the entire universe of cancer proteins.

"This financing not only strengthens our ability to advance CBX-250 through clinical development but also accelerates our mission to bring next-generation TCR-mimetic immunotherapies to patients who urgently need new options," said Briggs Morrison, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Crossbow Therapeutics. "We greatly appreciate our investors for sharing our conviction in the transformative potential of our T-BoltTM platform. We look forward to efficiently expanding our pipeline to address cancers that remain beyond the reach of today’s therapies."

The Series B financing will allow Crossbow to complete a Phase 1 clinical trial of CBX-250, Crossbow’s first-in-class TCE therapy, which targets a pHLA specific to myeloid cancer cells. The ongoing Phase 1 study (CROSSCHECK-001) is evaluating CBX-250 in patients with relapsed and refractory myeloid malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Initial clinical data from the CROSSCHECK-001 trial are expected around the end of 2026.

The financing will also enable submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and initiation of a Phase 1 trial of CBX-663, a first-in-class TCE targeting a telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT)-derived pHLA for the treatment of multiple hematologic and solid tumors. The initiation of the Phase 1 study evaluating CBX-663 is projected for Q3 2026.

Crossbow researchers will present preclinical findings for CBX-250 in myeloid malignancies as well as the characterization of CBX-663 in models of solid tumors at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026 Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif., which takes place April 17-22, 2026.

"Crossbow’s arsenal of T-cell engagers represents a differentiated and promising approach to anti-cancer immunotherapy by addressing the wide variety of intra-cellular targets and broadens the potentials of TCE modality," commented Sakae Asanuma, President & CEO of Taiho Ventures and Crossbow board member. "The company’s experienced team and versatile platform position it to overcome the limitations of current treatments and deliver impact for patients in need. We are excited to continue supporting Crossbow as it advances its lead programs into the clinic."

(Press release, Crossbow Therapeutics, MAR 18, 2026, View Source [SID1234663719])

On March 18, 2026 Nykode Therapeutics ASA (OSE: NYKD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel immunotherapies, reported upcoming presentations at the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and NextGen Biomed 2026.

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The AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting will take place April 17–22, 2026 in San Diego, California, and NextGen Biomed 2026 will be held March 24–26, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

Presentation Details:

AACR Poster Session (abi-suva)
Session title: Phase I Clinical Trials
Title: Immunogenicity of the therapeutic HPV16-specific cancer vaccine abipapogene suvaplasmid (VB10.16) in combination with pembrolizumab given as 1L treatment for HPV16+ PD-L1+ r/m oropharyngeal cancer: preliminary results from phase 1 of the VB-C-03 trial

Location: Poster Section 50
Poster Board Number: 9
Date: April 21, 2026
Time: 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT

NextGen Biomed Presentation (VB10.NEO)
Title: VB10.NEO: The Journey of a Clinically Validated Individualized Cancer Therapy from Tumour Biopsy to Vaccine Administration

Date: March 24, 2026
Time: 11:40-12:00 GMT

NextGen Biomed Presentation (Tolerance):
Title: Development Of APC-Targeted Antigen-Specific Immune Tolerance Therapies For Autoimmune Diseases

Date: March 25, 2026
Time: 12:00-12:25 GMT

The presentation slides will be available after the presentations at the
Company’s webpage:
View Source

(Press release, Nykode Therapeutics, MAR 18, 2026, View Source [SID1234663704])