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MiNK Therapeutics and Memorial Sloan Kettering to Present Phase II Study of agenT-797 Combination in PD-1 Refractory Gastroesophageal Cancer at AACR 2026

On April 3, 2026 MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INKT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering allogeneic invariant natural killer T (allo-iNKT) cell therapies to restore immune balance and treat immune-mediated diseases and cancer, reported that data from an investigator-initiated Phase II trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, evaluating agent-797, MiNK’s allo-iNKT cell therapy, in combination with botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL), will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, taking place April 17-22, 2026, in San Diego, CA.

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The study evaluates this multi-mechanistic immunotherapy regimen in patients with PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer (GEC), an area of high unmet need where resistance to checkpoint inhibition remains a significant clinical challenge.

"This study represents one of the first clinical evaluations of an iNKT cell therapy combined with dual checkpoint modulation in gastroesophageal cancer and marks an important step in understanding how to re-engage the immune system in patients who have progressed on prior checkpoint therapy," said Jennifer Buell, Ph.D., President and CEO of MiNK Therapeutics.

"These data build on the immune-modulating findings we reported last year and extend them into the clinical setting. agenT-797 is designed to bridge innate and adaptive immunity as an immune orchestrator, with the potential to reprogram the tumor microenvironment and restore immune responsiveness. We believe these data will provide important insights into how immune reprogramming and treatment sequencing can drive more durable outcomes in refractory cancers and inform the next generation of combination strategies."

Presentation Details:

Abstract Title: A phase II study of agenT-797, botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL) in PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer (GEC)

Presenter: Samuel L. Cytyrn, MD; Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Session Name: Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trials

Date/Time: April 20, 2026 | 2:00–5:00 PM PT; 5:00-8:00 PM EDT

Poster Section: 52

Abstract No.: CT166

(Press release, MiNK Therapeutics, APR 3, 2026, View Source [SID1234664173])

Innate Pharma to Participate in the Kempen Life Sciences Conference

On April 3, 2026 Innate Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: IPH; Nasdaq: IPHA) ("Innate" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapies for cancer patients, reported that members of its executive team will participate in one-on-one investor meetings at the following conference:

Kempen Life Sciences Conference

Dates: April 15 –16, 2026
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

(Press release, Innate Pharma, APR 3, 2026, View Source [SID1234664172])

Syneron Bio Announces Completion of $150 Million Series B Financing

On April 3, 2026 Syneron Bio, a leader in intelligent platform-driven macrocyclic peptide drug discovery, reported the successful closing of its Series B financing on March 31th. The round was led by an international life-science fund, with co-lead participation from Decheng Capital, and CDH VGC. Additional investors included a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority ("ADIA"), True Light Capital, — an independent, wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek, Qiming Venture Partners, BioTrack Capital and well known industrial investors. Existing shareholders, including AstraZeneca, LAV, Sinovation Capital, 5Y Capital, GL Ventures, Biotech Development Fund and Lenovo Capital, among others, also continued their support.

Proceeds from this financing will be primarily used to further advance the intelligent evolution of the company’s proprietary macrocyclic peptide discovery platform, Synova, and to accelerate the progression of its diversified innovative pipeline into clinical development.

Dr. Frank Zhang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Syneron Bio, commented:

"We are honored to receive support and recognition in this financing round from a distinguished group of leading global healthcare funds, tech venture capitals, reputable multi-national corporations, and prominent sovereign wealth funds. The completion of this financing further strengthens our cash position, enabling us to accelerate the development of multiple core pipeline programs across oncology, autoimmune, metabolic, and rare diseases, with the goal of benefiting patients worldwide. At the same time, our high-throughput, intelligence-driven Synova platform will continue to scale and evolve, significantly improving the efficiency and success rate of macrocyclic peptide drug discovery. With the continued support of our capital and industry partners, we look forward to delivering innovative therapies and addressing critical unmet medical needs for patients around the globe."

(Press release, Syneron Bio, APR 3, 2026, View Source [SID1234664171])

Agenus Announces Data from Phase II Study of BOT+BAL in Combination with agent-797 in PD-1 Refractory Gastroesophageal Cancer to be Presented at AACR 2026

On April 3, 2026 Agenus Inc. (Nasdaq: AGEN), a leader in immuno-oncology innovation, reported that data from an investigator-initiated Phase II trial conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, taking place April 17–22, 2026, in San Diego, CA.

The study evaluates botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL) in combination with agenT-797, an allogeneic iNKT cell therapy developed by MiNK Therapeutics, in patients with PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer (GEC)—an area of significant unmet need where resistance to checkpoint inhibition remains a major clinical challenge.

Presentation Details:

Abstract Title: A phase II study of agenT-797, botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL) in PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer (GEC)

Presenter: Samuel L. Cytyrn, MD; Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Session Name: Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trials

Date/Time: April 20, 2026 | 2:00–5:00 PM PT; 5:00-8:00 PM EDT

Poster Section: 52

Abstract No.: CT166

(Press release, Agenus, APR 3, 2026, View Source [SID1234664170])

Lisata Therapeutics extend the date to commence the tender offer with Kuva Labs Inc

On April 2, 2026, Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company" or "Lisata") and Kuva Labs Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent"), together with Kuva Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"), reported to have agreed to extend the date by which Purchaser is obligated to commence the tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company pursuant to the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 6, 2026, by and among Parent, Purchaser and the Company (the "Merger Agreement"), from April 3, 2026, to April 13, 2026, or such other date as may be agreed to between the Company and Parent. Purchaser has not yet commenced the tender offer. The Company has been informed by Parent that Parent is currently seeking alternative sources of financing on terms more favorable to Parent to fund the tender offer, and intends to launch the tender offer when its financing is finalized. The Company is in discussions with Parent regarding the financing and timing of the commencement of the tender offer. There can be no assurance as to when the tender offer will commence, if at all.

(Press release, Lisata Therapeutics, APR 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234664400])