On September 23, 2025 TegMine Therapeutics, Inc., ("TegMine"), a biotechnology company focused on redefining precision oncology by targeting the glycoproteins that drive cancer, reported a strategic research and development collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim (Press release, Tegmine Therapeutics, SEP 23, 2025, View Source [SID1234656178]). The partnership will leverage TegMine’s proprietary 2-Factor Antibody System to develop more selective and better-tolerated ADC therapeutics.

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The collaboration is centered on an initial program targeting a clinically validated antigen, with the potential to expand to two additional targets. Powered by its proprietary TegMiner platform, TegMine discovers novel, tumor-specific glycan epitopes that are invisible to conventional approaches. The company’s 2-Factor Antibody System delivers a new level of therapeutic precision, requiring dual glycan/protein-based recognition to achieve unprecedented specificity and enhanced efficacy, with a goal to reduce on-target, off-tumor toxicity for the benefit of patient safety.

"At TegMine, we are exploiting the unique biology of tumor-associated glycans, molecular signatures that are highly prevalent in aggressive solid tumors yet largely absent in healthy tissues," said Jeff Bernstein, Ph.D., CEO of TegMine. "This collaboration endorses our approach, and specifically our 2-Factor Antibody System, which unlocks specific tumor-associated antigens and targets that were previously inaccessible with other technologies. We are excited to translate this approach into potentially meaningful therapies for patients alongside a world-class partner in Boehringer Ingelheim."

Under the terms of the agreement, TegMine will receive an upfront payment and research funding per target as well as a target option fee for each selected additional target. The company is also eligible to receive preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones, along with royalties on net sales for any potential products developed under the collaboration. Exact financial terms are undisclosed. Boehringer Ingelheim has global development and commercial rights for each target generated during the collaboration.

On September 23, 2025 Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Kelun-Biotech", HKEX: 6990) reported it will present results from multiple clinical studies at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress will take place in Berlin, Germany, from October 17 to 21, including data from its TROP2 ADC sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT), HER2 ADC A166 (trastuzumab botidotin), and CLDN18.2 ADC SKB315 (Press release, Kelun, SEP 23, 2025, View Source [SID1234656179]). Among these, two Phase III clinical studies of sac-TMT were selected for the Latest Breakthrough Abstracts (LBA) and presented as oral reports, including one featured in the Presidential Symposium; one Phase III clinical study of A166 was selected for LBA and presented as oral report.

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Abstract titles of these studies have been published on the official website of ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper). The study results to be presented include:

Title: Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) vs platinum-based chemotherapy in EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following progression on EGFR-TKIs: results from the randomized, multi-center phase 3 OptiTROP-Lung04 study
Presentation Type: Presidential Symposium
Presentation #: LBA5
Date and Lecture Time: October 19, 4：52 PM to 5:04 PM local time

Title: Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) vs investigator’s choice of chemotherapy (ICC) in previously treated locally advanced or metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer (BC): results from the randomized, multi-center phase 3 OptiTROP-Breast02 study
Presentation Type: Proffered Paper
presentation #: LBA23
Date and Lecture Time: October 18, 10:45 AM to 10:55 AM local time

Title: Trastuzumab botidotin vs trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer: results from a randomized phase 3 study
Presentation Type: Proffered Paper
presentation #: LBA24
Date and Lecture Time: October 18, 10:55 AM to 11:05AM local time

Title: SKB315, a novel Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors including gastric/ gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC): a phase 1 study
Presentation Type: Poster
Presentation #: 2139P
Date and Session Time: October 19, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time

Title: Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) in Participants (pts) with Previously Treated, Advanced KRAS-Mutant NSCLC: Results from Cohort 5d of the SKB264-II-08 Study
Presentation Type: Poster
Presentation #: 1945P
Date and Session Time: October 18, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time

Title: Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) + pembrolizumab[1] (pembro) for treatment-naïve advanced PD-L1 positive NSCLC: results from the Phase 2 MK-2870-003/SKB264-II-04 study
Presentation Type: Poster
Presentation #: 1949P
Date and Session Time: October 18, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time

Title: Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) + Pembrolizumab in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC): Results from Phase 2 MK-2870-002/SKB264-II-06 Study
Presentation Type: Poster
Presentation #: 2421P
Date and Session Time: October 18, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time

Title: Sacituzumab tirumotecan (Sac-TMT) Monotherapy in Advanced/Metastatic Endometrial Carcinoma (EC): Results from a Phase 1/2 Study (MK-2870-001/KL264-01)
Presentation Type: Poster
Presentation #: 1111P
Date and Session Time: October 18, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time

Title: Efficacy and Safety of sacituzumab tirumotecan (Sac-TMT) Monotherapy in Advanced/Metastatic Cervical Cancer: Results from a Phase 1/2 Study (MK-2870-001/KL264-01)
Presentation Type: Poster
Presentation #: 1168P
Date and Session Time: October 18, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time

About sac-TMT

Sac-TMT, a core product of the Company, is a novel human TROP2 ADC in which the Company has proprietary intellectual property rights, targeting advanced solid tumors such as NSCLC, BC, gastric cancer (GC), gynecological tumors, among others. Sac-TMT is developed with a novel linker to conjugate the payload, a belotecan-derivative topoisomerase I inhibitor with a drug-to-antibody-ratio (DAR) of 7.4. Sac-TMT specifically recognizes TROP2 on the surface of tumor cells by recombinant anti-TROP2 humanized monoclonal antibodies, which is then endocytosed by tumor cells and releases the payload KL610023 intracellularly. KL610023, as a topoisomerase I inhibitor, induces DNA damage to tumor cells, which in turn leads to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, it also releases KL610023 in the tumor microenvironment. Given that KL610023 is membrane permeable, it can enable a bystander effect, or in other words kill adjacent tumor cells.

In May 2022, the Company licensed the exclusive rights to MSD (the tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA) to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize sac-TMT in all territories outside of Greater China (includes Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan).

To date, 2 indications for sac-TMT have been approved and marketed in China for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received at least two prior systemic therapies (at least one of them for advanced or metastatic setting), EGFR mutation-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC following progression on EGFR-TKI therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. In addition, two new indication applications for sac-TMT for the treatment of adult patients with EGFR-mutant locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who progressed after treatment with EGFR-TKI therapy and with unresectable locally advanced, metastatic hormone receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) BC who have received prior endocrine therapy and other systemic treatments in the advanced or metastatic setting were accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation of NMPA, and were included in the priority review and approval process. As of today, the Company has initiated 9 registrational clinical studies in China. MSD has initiated 14 ongoing Phase 3 global clinical studies of sac-TMT as a monotherapy or with pembrolizumab or other anti-cancer agents for several types of cancer. These studies are sponsored and led by MSD.

About Trastuzumab Botidotin (A166)

Trastuzumab botidotin is a differentiated HER2 ADC in new drug application (NDA) registration stage to treat advanced HER2+ solid tumors. As an innovative HER2 ADC developed by the Company, it conjugates a novel, MMAF derivative (a highly cytotoxic tubulin inhibitor, Duo-5) via a stable, enzyme-cleavable linker to a HER2 monoclonal antibody with a DAR of 2. Trastuzumab botidotin specifically binds to HER2 on the surface of tumor cells and is internalized by tumor cells, releasing the toxin molecule Duo-5 inside the cell. Duo-5 induces tumor cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, leading to tumor cell apoptosis. After targeting HER2, trastuzumab botidotin can also inhibit the HER2 signaling pathway; it has antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity.

Based on the results of a randomized, controlled, open-label Phase III study, the New Drug Application (NDA) for trastuzumab botidotin was accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in January 2025 for the treatment of adult patients with HER2+ unresectable or metastatic BC who have received at least one prior anti-HER2 therapy was accepted by the CDE of the NMPA. At a pre-specified interim analysis, trastuzumab botidotin monotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by the Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) compared with T-DM1.

Currently, Kelun-Biotech has initiated an open, multi-center Phase II clinical study of trastuzumab botidotin in the treatment of HER2+ unresectable or metastatic BC that previously received a topoisomerase inhibitor ADC.

About SKB315

SKB315 is a novel CLDN18.2 ADC targeting advanced solid tumors configured with a proprietary, in-house developed humanized CLDN18.2 mAb and a differentiated payload-linker design. Currently, Kelun-Biotech has initiated the exploration in combination with immunotherapy for gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC) while advancing monotherapy studies for tumors expressing CLDN18.2, such as GC/GEJC and pancreatic cancer.

On September 22, 2025 IMUNON, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMNN), a clinical-stage company in Phase 3 development with its DNA-mediated immunotherapy, reported the presentation of new positive translational data from the Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study of IMNN-001, its investigational gene-based interleukin-12 (IL-12) immunotherapy based on the Company’s proprietary TheraPlas technology platform, for the treatment of newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (Press release, IMUNON, SEP 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234656147]). Results were highlighted in a presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research held in Denver, Colorado.

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The Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study assessed 112 participants treated with IMNN-001 (100 mg/m2 administered intraperitoneally weekly) plus standard-of-care (SoC) neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (N/ACT). IMUNON reviewed translational data on the changes induced by the local administration of IL-12 and its downstream effectors in the tumor micro-environment (TME) from paired samples (pre- and post-treatment) from study participants. Results presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Special Conference demonstrated:

Positive shift in the local TME to favorable immune stimulatory T cell ratios in the majority of participants treated with IMNN-001, including favorable ratios of CD8+/T regulatory (Treg) cells, CD8+/IDO+ cells, and CD8+/CD4+ cells.
TME shift in favor of decreased immunosuppression cells (IDO+, PDL1+, Treg, CD4+) and increased immunostimulatory cells (CD8+, CD8+ effector, myeloid dendritic cells) in the majority of participants post-treatment.
IMNN-001 treatment creates a "hot" anti-TME by increasing the recruitment of anti-tumor CD8+ and myeloid dendritic cells in 50-80% of the paired samples and decreasing immunosuppressive markers (IDO, PDL1, Treg cells) in 65-80% of the samples.
IMNN-001 continues to show a favorable safety profile.
"These new translational data are very encouraging and strongly reinforce and are consistent with the unprecedented positive overall survival results previously reported from the OVATION 2 Study," said Douglas V. Faller, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of IMUNON and study presenter at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) conference. "Results from the study continue to validate our TheraPlas technology and the broad impact of IMNN-001 on important cancer-fighting cytokines, effectively turning the tumor microenvironment from "cold" to ‘hot’ by activating both innate and adaptive immune systems, with limited to no systemic toxicities. IMNN-001 has shown significant therapeutic potential in clinical trials thus far, and the robust survival benefits and favorable safety profile observed align with these translational findings, supporting our ongoing Phase 3 OVATION 3 trial. We look forward to advancing the Phase 3 trial as quickly as possible for the many women with advanced ovarian cancer who are in urgent need of new, innovative treatment options."

The OVATION 2 Study poster presentation is available on the "Scientific Presentations" page of IMUNON’s website at View Source

In July 2025, the Company announced treatment of the first patient in the pivotal Phase 3 OVATION 3 Study and is working with trial investigators to expand clinical sites and accelerate enrollment. Four sites have been activated to date and are open for patient enrollment.

About the OVATION 3 Study

OVATION 3 is IMUNON’s pivotal Phase 3 study of IMMN-001, an IL-12 gene-mediated immunotherapy, in women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. The study is supported with unprecedented overall survival (OS) data from a large, 112-patient, randomized Phase 2 study showing the following:

Median 13-month increase in OS (HR 0.70) and median 3-month increase in PFS (HR 0.79) in IMNN-001 treatment arm compared to standard of care alone.
Better therapeutic effect observed with IMNN-001 treatment compared to the control arm (p=0.0375), as shown by mean 6.5-month extension of time free of progression or death (PFS + OS) captured in totality of treatment effect.
Use of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors as part of maintenance therapy further enhanced outcomes, with median OS not yet reached in the IMNN-001 treatment arm as patients surpass >5 years since randomization in the trial compared to 37 months on standard of care (HR 0.42).
The results from the OVATION 2 Study have resulted in invitations to present data from the Phase 2 Study at both the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) annual meetings and in the peer-reviewed journal Gynecologic Oncology.

OVATION 3 is currently enrolling patients at four trial sites with up to 46 additional sites being considered for activation.

About the Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study

OVATION 2 evaluated the dosing, safety, efficacy and biological activity of intraperitoneal administration of IMNN-001 in combination with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (N/ACT) of paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients newly diagnosed with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. Treatment in the neoadjuvant period is designed to shrink the tumors as much as possible for optimal surgical removal after three cycles of chemotherapy. Following N/ACT, patients undergo interval debulking surgery, followed by three additional cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy to treat any residual tumor. This open-label study enrolled 112 patients who were randomized 1:1 and evaluated for safety and efficacy to compare N/ACT plus IMNN-001 versus standard-of-care N/ACT. In accordance with the study protocol, patients randomized to the IMNN-001 treatment arm could receive up to 17 weekly doses of 100 mg/m2 in addition to N/ACT. As a Phase 2 study, OVATION 2 was not powered for statistical significance. Additional endpoints included objective response rate, chemotherapy response score and surgical response score.

About IMNN-001 Immunotherapy

Designed using IMUNON’s proprietary TheraPlas platform technology, IMNN-001 is an IL-12 DNA plasmid vector encased in a nanoparticle delivery system that enables cell transfection followed by persistent, local secretion of the IL-12 protein. IL-12 is one of the most active cytokines for the induction of potent anticancer immunity acting through the induction of T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell proliferation. IMUNON previously reported positive safety and encouraging Phase 1 results with IMNN-001 administered as monotherapy or as combination therapy in patients with advanced peritoneally metastasized primary or recurrent ovarian cancer and completed a Phase 1b dose-escalation trial (the OVATION 1 Study) of IMNN-001 in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer. IMUNON previously reported positive results from the recently completed Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study, which assessed IMNN-001 (100 mg/m2 administered intraperitoneally weekly) plus neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (N/ACT) of paclitaxel and carboplatin compared to standard-of-care N/ACT alone in 112 patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer.

About Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the sixth deadliest malignancy among women in the U.S. There are approximately 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer every year and approximately 70% are diagnosed in advanced Stage III/IV. Epithelial ovarian cancer is characterized by dissemination of tumors in the peritoneal cavity with a high risk of recurrence (75%, Stage III/IV) after surgery and chemotherapy. Since the five-year survival rates of patients with Stage III/IV disease at diagnosis are poor (41% and 20%, respectively), there remains a need for a therapy that not only reduces the recurrence rate but also improves overall survival. The peritoneal cavity of advanced ovarian cancer patients contains the primary tumor environment and is an attractive target for a regional approach to immune modulation.

On September 22, 2025 Tubulis reported that its late-breaking abstract covering first clinical data from its ongoing Phase I/IIa NAPISTAR 1-01 trial (NCT06303505) has been accepted for oral presentation at the upcoming European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress, being held October 17-21, 2025, in Berlin (Press release, Tubulis, SEP 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234656162]). The presentation by the principal investigator of the study, Dr. Antonio Gonzalez-Martin, will provide interim data from the dose escalation part of the ovarian cancer cohort in the first-in-human study with TUB-040. Tubulis’ lead antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), TUB-040 is a next-generation NaPi2b-targeting ADC developed using Tubulis’ proprietary Tubutecan linker-payload platform. It combines the company’s P5 conjugation system with an exatecan payload enabling the development of stable, highly targeted ADCs, optimized for the on-target delivery of the topoisomerase-1 inhibitor while minimizing systemic toxicity. In a range of preclinical models, including ovarian cancer, TUB-040 demonstrated superior biophysical properties as well as effective and durable responses.

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Details of the oral presentation:

Title: NAPISTAR 1-01: A Phase 1 dose escalation study of TUB-040, a novel NaPi2b-targeting exatecan antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian (PROC) high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC)
Presenter: Dr. Antonio Gonzalez-Martin, Director Medical Oncology Department and Cancer Center Director at Clínica Universidad de Navarra
Session Category and Title: Mini Oral session: Gynaecological cancers
Session Date and Time: October 19, 2025; 10:15 – 11:45 am CEST
Lecture Time: 10:38 – 10:43 am CEST
Location: Cologne Auditorium – CityCube A
Abstract Number: #5520

About TUB-040 and the Tubutecan Technology

Tubulis’ lead antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) TUB-040 is directed against NaPi2b, an antigen highly overexpressed in ovarian cancer and lung adenocarcinoma. It consists of an IgG1 antibody targeting NaPi2b equipped with Tubulis’ proprietary Tubutecan technology, connecting the Topoisomerase I inhibitor, exatecan, through a cleavable linker system based on the company’s proprietary P5 conjugation technology with a homogeneous DAR of 8. Based on novel chemistry for cysteine-selective conjugation, the technology enables the development of stable, highly targeted ADCs optimized for the on-target delivery of the topoisomerase-1 inhibitor while minimizing systemic toxicity. The candidate is currently being investigated in a multicenter Phase I/IIa study (NAPISTAR1-01, NCT06303505) that aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of TUB-040 as a monotherapy in patients with platinum-resistant high-grade ovarian cancer (PROC) or relapsed/refractory adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

On September 22, 2025, Nuvalent, Inc. reported the completion of its New Drug Application submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for zidesamtinib in tyrosine kinase inhibitor pre-treated patients with advanced ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (Press release, Nuvalent, SEP 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234656148]).

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