Calidi Biotherapeutics Presents its Innovative and Scalable Manufacturing Process for CLD-401 at the 9th Annual Bioprocessing Summit; FDA Feedback Support Company’s Approach to Manufacturing

On March 12, 2026 Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI) ("Calidi" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company pioneering the development of targeted genetic medicines, reported on its proprietary manufacturing process for CLD-401, the Company’s first lead candidate from its RedTail platform, at the BioProcessing Summit in Barcelona.

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RedTail is Calidi’s systemically delivered virotherapy platform designed to selectively target tumor cells, remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME), and enable high-level expression of therapeutic genetics at the tumor. CLD-401 is designed to reach metastatic sites, replicate only in tumor cells, and express high levels of IL-15 superagonist (IL-15 SA), a known T-cell and Natural Killer cell activator, in the TME.

At the meeting, Calidi outlined key aspects of its manufacturing system designed to support scalable and high-yield manufacturing of CLD-401. This process, developed in-house, maintains the integrity of the CD55 over-expressing envelope unique to the Company’s RedTail virus that allows for systemic delivery by preventing immune recognition.

Calidi has interacted with the FDA around the Company’s manufacturing and analytical approaches through its Type D meeting request process. The feedback it has received from the agency supports the use of this process for the clinical development of CLD-401.

"The process discussed today highlights key scalability properties of the manufacturing system we have developed for the RedTail platform and CLD-401" said Antonio F. Santidrian, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Technical Operations at Calidi. "Based on our interactions with the FDA, we believe this process can be used to support CLD-401 through clinical development with the ultimate goal of commercialization."

"The RedTail platform represents an exciting new approach for the systemic and targeted delivery of genetic payloads to distal sites of disease," said Eric Poma, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Calidi. "Early engagement with the FDA on our manufacturing strategy has been an important step in building a scalable and robust manufacturing program, and the feedback we have received supports our approach as we advance CLD‑401 through clinical development"

Calidi is currently conducting IND-enabling studies with CLD-401, the first lead candidate from its RedTail platform. The Company anticipates submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for CLD-401 by the end of 2026. The Company continues to expand the functionality of the RedTail platform and is also actively pursuing strategic partnerships to accelerate clinical development and broaden the impact of its RedTail platform.

(Press release, Calidi Biotherapeutics, MAR 12, 2026, https://www.calidibio.com/calidi-biotherapeutics-presents-its-innovative-and-scalable-manufacturing-process-for-cld-401-at-the-9th-annual-bioprocessing-summit-fda-feedback-support-companys-approach-to-manufacturing/ [SID1234663489])

Propanc Biopharma Targets $3B+ Pancreatic Cancer Market with PRP: 85%+ Tumor Inhibition in Breakthrough Proenzyme Therapy

On March 12, 2026 Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPCB) ("Propanc" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for chronic diseases, including recurrent and metastatic cancer, reported highlights of PRP, its lead proenzyme therapy poised to potentially disrupt the $3 billion+ pancreatic cancer treatment market—one of oncology’s most desperate battlegrounds with a grim 13% five-year survival rate.

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Conventional chemo hits walls of resistance, brutal toxicity, and minimal progress. PRP changes the game:
– >85% tumor growth inhibition demonstrated in preclinical pancreatic models
– Forces malignant cells to differentiate—attacking cancer at its root
– Reduces fibrosis and resistance markers in the tumor microenvironment
– Sensitizes resistant tumors to standard chemo—higher efficacy, lower toxicity
– Targets cancer stem cells to cut recurrence risk

"PRP may represent a true paradigm shift for pancreatic cancer patients," said Mr. James Nathanielsz, Propanc’s Chief Executive Officer. "We’re striking at the disease’s core mechanisms. With Phase 1b First-In-Human trials set for 2026 and a $100M facility in place, we’re moving fast to deliver real hope."

Propanc is advancing PRP toward clinical development for advanced solid tumors, with pancreatic and ovarian cancers as initial priorities.

(Press release, Propanc, MAR 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234663504])

Meiji Seika Pharma Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial in Australia Evaluating ME3241, an Anti-PD-1 Agonist Antibody Discovered Through Collaborative Research With FBRI

On March 12, 2026 Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President and Representative Director: Toshiaki Nagasato) announced today that it has initiated a Phase I clinical trial of ME3241 (development code), an anti-PD-1 agonist monoclonal antibody discovered through collaborative research with the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe (Headquarters: Kobe, Japan; President: Shuh Narumiya; hereinafter "FBRI"). The Phase I clinical trial is designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, with the objective of evaluating the safety and tolerability of ME3241 following single and multiple dosing, as well as its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07422207).

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ME3241 was discovered through a collaborative research program led by Program Director Tasuku Honjo, a professor emeritus at Kyoto University. PD-1 is a molecule expressed on activated T cells and other lymphocytes that suppresses immune responses. Through this research, Meiji Seika Pharma and FBRI identified the conditions required to induce immunosuppression by stimulating PD-1 with antibodies, and these findings were published in Science Immunology on January 13, 2023. ME3241 is a unique anti-PD-1 agonist antibody with enhanced PD-1 agonist activity and has the potential to advance clinical development as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune diseases caused by excessive immune responses.

Meiji Seika Pharma and FBRI will continue to collaborate to advance the development of ME3241 and strive to provide meaningful benefits to patients with autoimmune diseases at the earliest opportunity.

Message from Tasuku Honjo, Program Director, Honorary President, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe (FBRI)

The initiation of the Phase I clinical trial of an autoimmune disease therapy by a PD-1 agonist antibody is highly significant, as our finding marks a major milestone in taking a step toward potential therapeutic application for human disease.

This therapeutic approach, which is completely opposite of the widely used cancer therapy employing a PD-1 antagonist antibody, originated from basic research initiated shortly after my appointment as director. After achieving robust results in animal models, we have now reached this clinical stage.

Should safety be confirmed in Phase I, there is strong expectation that the program will progress to Phase II to evaluate efficacy, and subsequently to Phase III with the aim of practical implementation. I am truly delighted by this advancement toward the practical realization of the vision of Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster.

Message from Takeshi Naruse, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Head of Research & Development, Meiji Seika Pharma

We have been advancing collaborative research with Professor Tasuku Honjo to discover and develop new drug candidates for inflammatory diseases, an area closely related to Meiji Seika Pharma’s focus on infectious diseases. We are pleased to begin a Phase I clinical trial of ME3241, a unique PD-1 agonist antibody established based on robust foundational research with Professor Honjo and his colleagues. We will expedite the development of ME3241 and strive to deliver it to patients with autoimmune diseases as soon as possible.

Candel Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Highlights

On March 12, 2026 Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (Candel or the Company) (Nasdaq: CADL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing multimodal immunotherapies to help patients fight cancer, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, and provided a corporate update.

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"During the quarter we made meaningful progress across our clinical pipeline and pre-commercial readiness, entering 2026 with strong momentum and a robust set of potential value-driving catalysts," said Paul Peter Tak, M.D., Ph.D., FMedSci, President and CEO of Candel. "For aglatimagene in localized, intermediate-to high-risk prostate cancer, we continue to work toward a planned BLA submission in Q4 2026. We continue to follow the patients in our phase 3 study for prostate cancer-specific outcomes and expect to share

results after extended follow-up in Q2 2026. We also expect to share additional biomarker data from our prostate program in Q3 2026. We plan to initiate a pivotal phase 3 clinical trial of aglatimagene in NSCLC despite ICI treatment in Q2 2026. In a phase 1b clinical trial of linoserpaturev in patients with rHGG, we reported encouraging survival data, supported by sophisticated serial brain biopsy analyses, and we expect to announce mature overall survival data for Arm C in Q4 2026. We submitted an IND for linoserpaturev in Q4 2025 to advance the development of this asset in rHGG and received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in Q1 2026.

Dr. Tak continued, "We were pleased to strengthen the Company’s financial position with the additional strategic funding from the term loan facility with Trinity Capital, the institutionally focused follow-on equity offering in February 2026, and our royalty financing agreement with funds managed by RTW Investments, LP. This further strengthens our balance sheet, brings new institutional investors into the Company, and positions us to advance our key priorities, including the initiation of a pivotal phase 3 clinical trial of aglatimagene in NSCLC and preparation for a potential commercial launch of aglatimagene in localized prostate cancer."

Fourth Quarter 2025 & Recent Highlights


Aglatimagene besadenovec (CAN-2409) – Prostate Cancer

The Company continues to advance its pre-BLA readiness initiative, including its Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) activities, and preparation of clinical study reports and BLA modules.

The Company will present follow-up clinical data from its phase 3 trial of aglatimagene in prostate cancer in Q2 2026 and novel biomarker data in Q3 2026.

The Company’s control manufacturer plans to conduct process validation in Q2 2026 to potentially enable filing of a BLA in Q4 2026. The Company’s control manufacturer has manufactured four large-scale batches to date. Clinical material from the new process has been manufactured and filled. Candel intends to use this material in the pivotal phase 3 clinical trial in NSCLC.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously granted Fast Track Designation and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy Designation to aglatimagene for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The phase 3 clinical trial of aglatimagene in localized prostate cancer was conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment with respect to the study design, agreed with the FDA.

Aglatimagene besadenovec (CAN-2409) – Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Following a positive end-of-phase 2 meeting with the FDA in July 2025, the Company is preparing to initiate a pivotal phase 3 clinical trial of aglatimagene in NSCLC in Q2 2026.


The FDA previously granted Fast Track Designation to aglatimagene for the treatment of NSCLC.

Aglatimagene besadenovec (CAN-2409) – Pancreatic Cancer

The Company previously generated encouraging data based on a randomized controlled phase 2a clinical trial of aglatimagene in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (PDAC).

The FDA previously granted Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation to aglatimagene for the treatment of PDAC, and the European Medicines Agency granted Orphan Designation for aglatimagene for the treatment of pancreatic cancer in July 2025.

With Candel’s top priorities focused on prostate cancer and NSCLC, the Company has paused the PDAC program.

Linoserpaturev (CAN-3110) – Recurrent High-Grade Glioma (rHGG)

In February 2026, at the 7th Annual Glioblastoma Drug Development Summit, the Company shared insights from its herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based platform and its linoserpaturev program through workshop presentations and panel discussions focused on advancing biomarker-driven clinical development in glioblastoma.

The Company submitted an IND for linoserpaturev to advance the development of this asset in rHGG in Q4 2025 and received clearance from the FDA in Q1 2026.

The FDA previously granted Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation to linoserpaturev in rHGG.

Recent Corporate Events

On February 23, 2026, Candel issued and sold 18,348,624 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $5.45 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $100 million, which will be used to complete critical launch readiness, medical affairs, pre-commercialization, and commercial activities for aglatimagene in early, localized prostate cancer, ongoing development costs related to the phase 3 trial of aglatimagene in NSCLC, and for general corporate purposes.

On February 19, 2026, Candel announced a $100 million royalty funding agreement with funds managed by RTW Investments, LP (RTW), subject to FDA approval of aglatimagene in localized, intermediate-to high-risk, prostate cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, RTW will receive a tiered single digit percentage of annual net sales of aglatimagene in the U.S., subject to a cap. Funds will strengthen the Company’s balance sheet for potential U.S. commercial launch of aglatimagene in intermediate- to high-risk localized prostate cancer.

On December 5, 2025, Candel hosted a virtual Research and Development (R&D) Event, which included presentations and panel discussions from its executive leadership, clinical investigators, scientific advisors, and key collaborators. The event provided an extensive overview of Candel’s viral immunotherapy approach and oncology focused pipeline. Click here to view the event.
Anticipated Milestones


Updated mOS data and potential long tail of survival from the phase 2a open-label clinical trial of aglatimagene in patients with stage III/IV NSCLC who had progressed despite ICI treatment (NCT04495153) is expected in Q1 2026.

Updated extended follow-up data on prostate cancer-specific disease-free survival, time to salvage anti-cancer therapy, and time to metastasis from the positive phase 3 clinical trial of aglatimagene in patients with localized, intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer is expected in Q2 2026.

The Company plans to initiate a pivotal phase 3 clinical trial of aglatimagene in patients with metastatic, non-squamous, NSCLC and progressive disease despite ICI treatment in Q2 2026.

Biomarker data related to the effects of aglatimagene in patients with localized prostate cancer is expected in Q3 2026.

The Company expects to present mature mOS data and an update on long-term survivors from arm C of its phase 1b clinical trial of linoserpaturev in patients with rHGG in Q4 2026.

Submission of BLA for aglatimagene in prostate cancer is planned for Q4 2026.

Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2025

Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses were $11.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $4.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $30.5 million for the full year 2025 compared to $19.3 million for the full year 2024. The increase was primarily due to higher manufacturing, clinical trial and regulatory costs, in support of the Company’s aglatimagene programs, and an increase in employee-related expenses. Research and development expenses included a non-cash stock compensation expense of $0.7 million and $1.5 million for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025, respectively, as compared to a non-cash stock compensation expense of $0.8 million and $3.3 million for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $4.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $3.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $17.8 million for the full year 2025 compared to $14.1 million for the full year 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in commercial readiness costs and employee-related expenses, as well as higher professional and consulting fees. General and administrative expenses included non-cash stock compensation expense of $0.6 million and $2.3 million for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025, respectively, as compared to a non-cash stock compensation expense of $0.4 million and $2.0 million for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024, respectively.

Net Loss: Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $29.5 million compared to a net loss of $14.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and included net other expense of $13.7 million and net other expense of $5.9 million, respectively. Net loss for the full year 2025 was $38.2 million compared to a net loss of $55.2 million for the full year 2024 and included net other income of $10.1 million and net other expense of $21.8 million, respectively. The change from net other expense in 2024, to net other income in 2025, is primarily related to the change in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liabilities.

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents, as of December 31, 2025, were $119.7 million compared to $102.7 million as of December 31, 2024. Based on current operating plans, the Company expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents, as of December 31, 2025, together with proceeds from the follow-on equity offering in February 2026, will be sufficient to fund operations into Q1 2028.

About aglatimagene besadenovec (CAN-2409)

Aglatimagene, Candel’s most advanced multimodal biological immunotherapy candidate, is an investigational, off-the-shelf, replication-defective adenovirus designed to deliver the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene to a patient’s tumor. After intratumoral administration, HSV-tk enzyme activity results in conversion of prodrug (valacyclovir) into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-incorporating nucleotide analogs, leading to immunogenic cell death in cells exhibiting DNA damage and proliferating cells, with subsequent release of a variety of tumor (neo)antigens in the tumor microenvironment. At the same time, the adenoviral serotype 5 capsid protein promotes inflammation through the induction of expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. Together, this regimen is designed to induce an individualized and specific CD8+ T cell-mediated response against the injected tumor and uninjected distant metastases for broad anti-tumor activity, based on in situ immunization against a variety of tumor antigens. Aglatimagene has the potential to treat a broad range of solid tumors. Encouraging monotherapy activity as well as combination activity with standard of care radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have previously been shown in several preclinical and clinical settings. More than 1,000 patients have been dosed with aglatimagene in clinical trials with a favorable tolerability profile to date, supporting the potential for combination with standard of care, when indicated.

About linoserpaturev (CAN-3110)

Linoserpaturev is a first-in-class, replication-competent, next-generation oncolytic herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) immunotherapy candidate designed for dual activity for oncolysis and immune activation in a single therapeutic. In October 2023, the Company announced that Nature published results from the ongoing clinical trial where linoserpaturev was reported to be generally well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicity. In the clinical trial, the investigators observed improved median overall survival compared to historical controls after a single linoserpaturev injection in this therapy-resistant condition.1 The Company and academic collaborators are currently supported by the Break Through Cancer foundation to evaluate the effects of repeated linoserpaturev injections in patients with recurrent glioblastoma in an expansion cohort from the phase 1b clinical trial. In October 2025, Science Translational Medicine presented findings from the comprehensive analysis of 97 serial tumor biopsies collected from two patients treated with repeated administrations of linoserpaturev in arm C. Linoserpaturev previously received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of rHGG from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

About the enLIGHTEN Discovery Platform

The enLIGHTEN Discovery Platform is a systematic, iterative HSV-based discovery platform leveraging human biology and advanced analytics to create new multimodal biological immunotherapies for solid tumors. The enLIGHTEN Discovery Platform has been designed to deconvolute the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment related to clinical outcomes. These characteristics are rapidly translated into optimized multi-gene payloads of tumor modulators that can be delivered to the tumor microenvironment for specific indications, disease stages, and rationally designed therapeutic combinations.

(Press release, Candel Therapeutics, MAR 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234663490])

Pulse Biosciences, Inc. Announces First Enrollments in Feasibility Study for the Treatment of Malignant Thyroid Tumors with nPulse™ Technology

On March 12, 2026 Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLSE), developer of the novel nPulse technology using its proprietary Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation (nanosecond PFA or nsPFA) energy, reported first patient enrollments in the multi-center first-in-human feasibility study of the Company’s nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System for treatment of T1N0M0 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTM), a small, slow-growing, and most common form of thyroid cancer. The initial procedures were successfully completed at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System in Sarasota, Florida, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

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The multicenter, prospective feasibility study is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System in treating papillary thyroid cancer tumors less than 1.5 cm in size. A total of 30 patients are planned for enrollment between two study sites. The first patient was enrolled and treated by Ralph P. Tufano, MD, Director of the Multidisciplinary Thyroid and Parathyroid Center at Sarasota Memorial, while two subsequent cases were completed by Principal Investigator, Dr. Victoria Banuchi, Associate Professor of Head & Neck Surgery at UT MD Anderson. The system previously received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for the ablation of soft tissue and is now being evaluated under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) specifically for thyroid cancer applications.

"Enrolling our first patient marks an important initial milestone in potentially expanding treatment options for patients with low-risk thyroid cancer," said Dr. Tufano. "Findings from this study may help determine whether nsPFA technology could offer a safe and effective alternative to surgery or serial surveillance for select patients by providing a minimally invasive, nonthermal approach that spares critical surrounding structures."

"We believe the nonthermal mechanism of action of nsPFA positions our nPulse technology as a potential treatment option for both benign and malignant thyroid tumors," said Paul LaViolette, Co-Chairman and CEO of Pulse Biosciences. "Commencing these first-in-human feasibility cases in collaboration with world-class institutions like UT MD Anderson and Sarasota Memorial is an important initial step and is consistent with our mission to rigorously generate data and demonstrate the potential to improve patient outcomes and provide clinicians with more precise, tissue-sparing tools for minimally invasive treatment applications."

About the Company’s nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System

The Company’s nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System consists of a percutaneous needle electrode for use with the Company’s proprietary nPulse Console. The novel electrode is designed to harness and deliver the key advantages of nsPFA energy, enabling precise, nonthermal removal of cellular tissue without damage to noncellular structures or inducing thermal necrosis. The system has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for use in the ablation of soft tissue in percutaneous and intraoperative surgical procedures. This proprietary system is designed for non-cardiac applications.

(Press release, Pulse Biosciences, MAR 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234663505])