Atossa Therapeutics Receives FDA "Study May Proceed" Letter for (Z)-Endoxifen Investigational New Drug Application for Metastatic Breast Cancer

On January 6, 2026 Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATOS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines for unmet medical needs, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") issued a "Study May Proceed" letter for the Company’s study in metastatic breast cancer which was the subject of a recent investigational new drug application for (Z)-endoxifen.

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"This letter marks an important regulatory milestone for Atossa and to potentially expand the use of (Z)-endoxifen for metastatic ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer. We believe its activity, even in tumors that have developed resistance to other endocrine therapies and in the oncogenic signaling pathway, protein kinase C beta 1 (PKCβ1), may offer a new tool in treating this disease.," said Dr. Steven Quay, M.D., Ph.D., Atossa Therapeutics President and Chief Executive Officer. "We appreciate the FDA’s review and look forward to advancing this clinical investigation."

About (Z)-Endoxifen

(Z)-Endoxifen is a potent Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator/Degrader (SERM/D) with demonstrated activity across multiple mechanisms of interest. Atossa is evaluating its potential applications in oncology and rare diseases. The Company’s proprietary oral formulation has shown a favorable safety profile and pharmacology distinct from tamoxifen, including ER-targeted effects and PKC inhibition. Atossa’s (Z)-Endoxifen is not approved for any indication.

Atossa’s (Z)-Endoxifen program is supported by a growing global intellectual property portfolio, including multiple recently issued U.S. patents and numerous pending applications worldwide.

(Press release, Atossa Therapeutics, JAN 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234661773])

Astellas to Present at 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On January 6, 2026 Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, "Astellas") reported it will present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, taking place January 12-15, 2026, in San Francisco, Calif. As a global leader in life sciences, Astellas will use this premier platform to highlight its key strategic focuses and the tangible progress achieved to date in support of delivering long-term impact for patients, partners, and shareholders.

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During the conference, President and CEO Naoki Okamura will present Astellas’ key growth drivers and commitment to disciplined execution. Chief Research & Development Officer Tadaaki Taniguchi will also join the session, and together, they will emphasize how Astellas is advancing transformative scientific breakthroughs for diseases with high unmet medical need and reinforcing its leadership in healthcare innovation and shaping the future of patient care.

Naoki Okamura, President and CEO, Astellas
"Our focus is clear: we are working to turn innovative science into meaningful VALUE for patients and drive sustainable growth. The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference provides an exceptional opportunity to engage with the global investment and healthcare community and demonstrate how our strategy and execution position Astellas for long-term success."

Presentation Details

Event: 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
Date & Time: January 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PT
Location: Westin St. Francis, San Francisco
The presentation materials and a live webcast link will be available on the Investor Relations page of Astellas.com on the day of the presentation. A link to the on-demand replay will be made available shortly after the presentation.

As a distinguished sponsor of Biotech Showcase held in San Francisco the same week, Astellas is furthering its visibility in the global life sciences community. Chief Strategy Officer Adam Pearson will join a plenary session on partnering trends that are advancing emerging technologies and drug development innovation—underscoring Astellas’ commitment to pioneering science and fostering collaborations to benefit patients worldwide.

(Press release, Astellas Pharma, JAN 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234661772])

Celltrion to present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On January 6, 2026 Celltrion, Inc. (068270.KS), a leading global biopharmaceutical company, reported that Jin-Seok Seo, Chief Executive Officer and Hyuk-Jae Lee, Senior Executive Vice President at Celltrion, will present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference taking place in San Francisco, California on January 12–15, 2026.

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Celltrion’s presentation and fireside chat are scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 3:45 PM to 4:25 PM (PT) at the Grand Ballroom, The Westin St. Francis San Francisco Union Square.

(Press release, Celltrion, JAN 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234661771])

Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Poster Presentations at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium 2026

On January 6, 2026 Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel class of biologic therapy to treat solid tumor cancers and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), reported that the Company will participate in the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium 2026 taking place January 8-10, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Details of the posters are included below.

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First Poster Details:
Abstract Title: BXQ-350 efficacy and safety evaluation in first line mCRC patients: A phase 1b/2 study of BXQ-350, a first-in-class sphingolipid metabolism modulator, in combination with mFOLFOX7 plus bevacizumab in newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
Abstract Number: 242
Poster Board Number: K2
Session Title: Poster Session C: Cancers of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus
Session Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Session Time: 7:00-7:55 AM
Presenter: Dr. Reema Patel

Second Poster Details:
Abstract Title: A phase 1b/2 study on the efficacy and safety of BXQ-350, a first-in-class sphingolipid metabolism modulator, in combination with mFOLFOX7 and bevacizumab in newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
Abstract Number: TPS273
Poster Board Number: L7
Session Title: Trials in Progress Poster Session C: Cancers of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus
Session Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Session Time: 7:00-7:55 AM
Presenter: Dr. Tariq Arshad

Third Poster Details:
Abstract Title: Bxq-350 in combination with FOLFOX7 and bevacizumab: Evaluation of effect on oxaliplatin-induced CIPN—A phase 1b/2 trial to assess the efficacy and safety of BXQ-350, a first-in-class sphingolipid metabolism modulator, in newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
Abstract Number: 105
Poster Board Number: D17
Session Title: Poster Session C: Cancers of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus
Session Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Session Time: 7:00-7:55 AM
Presenter: Michael Gazda, Ph.D.
The abstracts are scheduled to be posted to the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI Online Program at 5 PM ET on Monday, January 6.

About BXQ-350
Bexion’s lead drug candidate is BXQ-350, a first-in-class biologic containing the multifunctional sphingolipid activator protein, Saposin C, and a phospholipid. Multiple Phase 1 clinical trials in adult and pediatric patients have demonstrated a robust safety profile for BXQ-350 with evidence of single agent activity across multiple solid tumor types. Additionally, other clinical and non-clinical data suggest BXQ-350 has activity in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, an area of high unmet medical need in patients treated with oxaliplatin and other chemotoxic agents.

(Press release, Bexion, JAN 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234661770])

ZIIHERA Plus TEVIMBRA and Chemotherapy: A Potential New Standard for First-Line HER2+ Advanced GEA

On January 6, 2026 BeOne Medicines Ltd. (Nasdaq: ONC; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global oncology company, reported full results from the Phase 3 HERIZON-GEA-01 trial evaluating ZIIHERA (zanidatamab), a HER2-targeted bispecific antibody, in combination with chemotherapy, with and without PD-1 inhibitor TEVIMBRA (tislelizumab), as a first-line treatment for HER2-positive (HER2+) locally advanced or metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). These data, including the first interim overall survival (OS) analysis, will be presented as a Late-Breaking Abstract Oral Presentation (#LBA285) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI) on January 8, 2026, from 8:57- 9:07 a.m. PST.

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HERIZON-GEA-01 met the dual primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), demonstrating statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in both experimental arms compared to the control arm. The addition of TEVIMBRA to ZIIHERA and chemotherapy also showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) (mOS: 26.4 months, HR=0.72 [95% CI: 0.57, 0.90]; P=0.0043), resulting in a 28% reduction in the risk of death and a greater than 7-month improvement in mOS. These PFS and OS benefits were observed in the ZIIHERA plus TEVIMBRA and chemotherapy arm versus the control arm regardless of PD-L1 expression level, with approximately one-third of enrolled patients with tumors classified as PD-L1 < 1%. ZIIHERA plus chemotherapy showed a clinically meaningful survival benefit with a mOS of 24.4 months, a strong trend toward statistical significance at the time of this first interim analysis for OS.

"The HERIZON-GEA-01 results are encouraging, with median overall survival for tislelizumab plus zanidatamab and chemotherapy surpassing two years, an outcome that marks a significant advancement in the treatment of metastatic HER2+ gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma," said Manish Shah, M.D., Chief of the Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and a medical oncologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, who serves as a paid advisory board member for Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and BeOne Medicines Ltd. "Unlike prior studies in HER2+ GEA with checkpoint blockade therapy, the addition of tislelizumab demonstrated meaningful activity even in TAP PD-L1 < 1%, suggesting a potential new treatment option for this subgroup, while broadening choices for patients with PD-L1 ≥1%."

Further highlights from the HERIZON-GEA-01 results include:

TEVIMBRA added to ZIIHERA and chemotherapy (n=302; mPFS: 12.4 months, HR=0.63 [95% CI: 0.51, 0.78], P=<0.0001) resulted in a 37% reduction in the risk of disease progression and a greater than 4-month improvement in mPFS.
Patients receiving ZIIHERA plus chemotherapy (n=304; mPFS: 12.4 months, HR=0.65 [95% CI: 0.52, 0.81], P=<0.0001) showed a 35% reduction in the risk of disease progression and a similar greater than 4-month improvement in mPFS.
These results compare favorably to mPFS of 8.1 months in patients treated with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy.
In the PD-L1 negative subgroup (TAP score <1%), the HR results for PFS were 0.47 [95% CI: 0.32, 0.69] in the ZIIHERA plus TEVIMBRA and chemotherapy arm and the HR results for OS were 0.49 [95% CI: 0.33, 0.73].
In the PD-L1 positive subgroup (TAP score >1%), the HR results for PFS were 0.65 [95% CI: 0.49, 0.86] in the ZIIHERA plus TEVIMBRA and chemotherapy arm and the HR results for OS were 0.82 [95% CI: 0.60, 1.10].
Both experimental arms demonstrated improvements in the key secondary endpoints of objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) versus the control arm, with ZIIHERA and chemotherapy resulting in an ORR of 69.6% with a median DOR of 14.32 months (CI 95%: 11.53, 21.85). The ZIIHERA plus TEVIMBRA and chemotherapy arm induced an ORR of 70.7%, with the median DOR reaching 20.70 months (CI 95%: 12.55, 37.65), highlighting TEVIMBRA’s essential role in the durability of response observed with the regimen.
"The comprehensive results of the HERIZON-GEA-01 study, particularly the improvement in overall survival shown in the TEVIMBRA plus ZIIHERA and chemotherapy arm, pave the way for the adoption of a new standard in first-line HER2-positive metastatic GEA," said Mark Lanasa, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Solid Tumors at BeOne. "BeOne holds commercial rights for ZIIHERA in most of Asia Pacific, where the GEA burden is highest. With these data, we anticipate the opportunity to expand access so more patients can benefit."

The safety profile of ZIIHERA in combination with chemotherapy, with or without TEVIMBRA, was consistent with the known effects of HER2-directed therapy and immunotherapy, and no new safety signals were identified. Duration of treatment was longest on the ZIIHERA plus TEVIMBRA and chemotherapy arm. Rates of Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were 71.8% with ZIIHERA plus TEVIMBRA and chemotherapy, 59.0% with ZIIHERA plus chemotherapy, and 59.6% with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy. Rates of discontinuation of ZIIHERA or trastuzumab due to TRAEs were 11.9% with ZIIHERA plus TEVIMBRA and chemotherapy, 8.5% with ZIIHERA plus chemotherapy, and 2.3% in the trastuzumab plus chemotherapy arm. The most common Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse event (TRAE) was diarrhea (24.5% of patients with ZIIHERA plus TEVIMBRA and chemotherapy; 20.0% with ZIIHERA plus chemotherapy; and 12.9% of patients in the trastuzumab plus chemotherapy arm). Importantly, discontinuation of either ZIIHERA or trastuzumab due to treatment-related diarrhea was uncommon (4.1% of patients with ZIIHERA plus TEVIMBRA and chemotherapy, 1.3% with ZIIHERA plus chemotherapy, and 0% of patients in the trastuzumab plus chemotherapy arm). Treatment-emergent diarrhea generally occurred early in treatment and resolved within 3 weeks. The manageable safety profile supports the feasibility of these combinations in the first-line metastatic setting.

These results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. BeOne intends to submit supplemental Biologics License Applications to the U.S. FDA for TEVIMBRA and to the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for TEVIMBRA and ZIIHERA, based on these data. The company also intends to work with authorities in its licensed territories to expedite regulatory submissions in these markets.

About the HERIZON-GEA-01 Phase 3 Trial
HERIZON-GEA-01 (NCT05152147) is a global, randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial, conducted jointly with Jazz Pharmaceuticals, to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of ZIIHERA plus chemotherapy, with or without TEVIMBRA, to the standard of care (trastuzumab plus chemotherapy) as first-line treatment for adult patients with advanced/metastatic HER2+ GEA. The trial randomized 914 patients from approximately 300 trial sites in more than 30 countries. Appropriate patients for this trial had unresectable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic HER2+ GEA (adenocarcinomas of the stomach or esophagus, including the gastroesophageal junction), defined as 3+ HER2 expression by IHC or 2+ HER2 expression by IHC with ISH positivity per central assessment. Patients were randomized to the three trial arms: ZIIHERA in combination with chemotherapy and TEVIMBRA; ZIIHERA in combination with chemotherapy; and trastuzumab plus chemotherapy. The trial is evaluating dual primary endpoints, PFS per blinded independent central review (BICR) and OS.

About Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma
Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA), which includes cancers of the stomach, gastroesophageal junction, and esophagus, is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Approximately 20% of GEA patients have HER2-positive disease1,2,3, which has high morbidity and mortality, and patients are urgently in need of new treatment options. The overall prognosis for patients with GEA remains poor, with a global five-year survival rate of less than 30% for gastric cancer and about 19% for GEA.4

About ZIIHERA (zanidatamab)
ZIIHERA (zanidatamab) is a bispecific human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, or HER2-directed antibody that binds to two extracellular sites on HER2. Binding of zanidatamab with HER2 results in internalization leading to a reduction in HER2 expression of the receptor on the tumor cell surface. Zanidatamab induces complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). These mechanisms result in tumor growth inhibition and cell death in vitro and in vivo.5

Zanidatamab is being developed in multiple clinical trials as a targeted treatment option for patients with solid tumors that express HER2. Zanidatamab is approved in China for the treatment of patients who have unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic HER2-high expression (IHC 3+) biliary tract cancer (BTC) and who have received prior systemic therapy. ZIIHERA also has been approved in both the U.S. and the European Union for eligible BTC patients. Zanidatamab is being developed by Jazz and BeOne under license agreements from Zymeworks, which first developed the molecule. BeOne has licensed zanidatamab from Zymeworks in Asia (excluding India and Japan), Australia and New Zealand. Jazz Pharmaceuticals has rights in all other regions.

ZIIHERA is a registered trademark of Zymeworks BC Inc.

About TEVIMBRA (tislelizumab)
TEVIMBRA is a uniquely designed humanized immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody with high affinity and binding specificity against PD-1. It is designed to minimize binding to Fc-gamma (Fcγ) receptors on macrophages, helping to aid the body’s immune cells to detect and fight tumors.

TEVIMBRA is the foundational asset of BeOne’s solid tumor portfolio and has shown potential across multiple tumor types and disease settings. The global TEVIMBRA clinical development program includes almost 14,000 patients enrolled to date in 35 countries and regions across 70 trials, including 22 registration-enabling studies. TEVIMBRA is approved in at least one indication in 48 markets, and more than 1.8 million patients have been treated globally.

Select Important Safety Information
Serious and sometimes fatal adverse reactions occurred with TEVIMBRA treatment. Warnings and precautions include severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, dermatologic adverse reactions, nephritis with renal dysfunction, and solid organ transplant rejection. Other warnings and precautions include infusion-related reactions, complications of allogeneic HSCT, and embryo-fetal toxicity.

Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information including the U.S. Medication Guide.

The information in this press release is intended for a global audience. Product indications vary by region.

(Press release, BeOne Medicines, JAN 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234661769])