Kelun-Biotech Receives a Clinical Trial Notice for Its First Dual-payload ADC SKB565

On July 27, 2026 Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Kelun-Biotech" or the "Company", 6990.HK) reported that it has received a clinical trial notice from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approving the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its novel dual-payload ADC drug, SKB565, for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. This marks the Company’s first dual-payload ADC to enter the clinical stage.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

SKB565 is developed using the Company’s proprietary OptiDC platform. Featuring an innovative dual-payload design, SKB565 enables the direct delivery of toxins and immunomodulators, two kinds of payload with complementary mechanisms of action, to tumor tissue. Compared with conventional ADCs carrying only toxins, SKB565 has a dual antitumor mechanism: it precisely targets and kills tumors while activating the immune system within the tumor microenvironment to elicit an antitumor immune response, bringing enhanced and more durable antitumor efficacy. In preclinical studies, SKB565 demonstrated excellent antitumor activity and safety, with its outstanding therapeutic potential to support further clinical development.

Leveraging technological expertise and platform advantages in the ADC field, Kelun-Biotech has established a diversified pipeline of innovative molecules featuring high-value targets, differentiated designs, and global potential. Building on this foundation, the Company continues to advance its "ADC + IO" strategy—on one hand by actively exploring high-quality combination regimens, including multiple ongoing clinical studies evaluating ADCs in combination with PD-(L)1 monoclonal antibodies, as well as the PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody SKB118 in combination with its proprietary ADC portfolio; on the other hand, the Company is advancing integrated drug design strategies by incorporating synergistic functional components into a single ADC molecule.

Dr. Michael Ge, CEO of Kelun-Biotech, said, " SKB565 is one of the core representative drugs of our integrated ‘ADC + IO’ strategy, leveraging the synergistic mechanism of its dual payloads to enhance efficacy and overcome drug resistance. Dual-payload ADCs are emerging as one of the key next-generation innovations in the ADC field. The advancement of SKB565 into clinical stage not only marks an important milestone in the achievements transformation of our technology platform, but also substantiates the continued deepening of our innovation capabilities in ADCs. We will actively advance the clinical development of novel drug conjugates such as SKB565, striving to deliver greater benefits to patients with cancer as soon as possible."

(Press release, Kelun, JUL 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234669441])

Everest Medicines Announces Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences

On July 27, 2026 Everest Medicines (HKEX 1952.HK, "Everest", or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative therapeutics, reported that Ian Woo, President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in the upcoming investor conferences.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Morgan Stanley Biotech Without Borders Series
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time: US: 10:00am – 10:30am ET / 10:00pm – 10:30pm HKT
Format: Fireside chat
Webcast: View Source;tp_key=ca5039df5f

2nd Annual Evercore China Biotech Summit
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Time: 11:00am HKT
Format: Presentation and Q&A
Location: The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

(Press release, Everest Medicines, JUL 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234669440])

Harbour BioMed and Sinopharm Enter Strategic Collaboration to Establish Innovation R&D Consortium

On July 27, 2026 Harbour BioMed (HKEX: 02142), a global biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery and development of novel antibody therapeutics in immunology, oncology and other areas, reported that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. ("Sinopharm"). The two parties will establish the Sinopharm – Harbour BioMed Innovation Consortium (the "Innovation Consortium") to advance collaborative research and development of innovative biologics.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Under the terms of the agreement, Harbour BioMed and Sinopharm will collaborate across the full research and development lifecycle of innovative biologics, with a strategic focus on oncology, immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and other therapeutic areas. Harbour BioMed will leverage its globally leading Harbour Mice fully human antibody technology platform and AI-enabled drug discovery capabilities to drive the discovery and optimization of antibody candidates together with Sinopharm. Sinopharm will contribute their expertise in clinical development, large-scale manufacturing and commercialization, and will be responsible for developing commercial-scale manufacturing processes, producing clinical trial materials, and commercializing products arising from the collaboration. The two parties will jointly fund the research and development activities and share product rights in accordance with mutually agreed terms.

"We are delighted to establish this strategic partnership with Sinopharm," said Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harbour BioMed. "Harbour BioMed is committed to becoming a leading platform-driven biopharmaceutical group. Leveraging our globally differentiated Harbour Mice fully human antibody technology platform and continuously expanding AI-enabled antibody discovery capabilities, we have established strategic collaborations with leading global pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer. This partnership with Sinopharm represents another important step in advancing our ‘platform + pipeline’ strategy in China. Sinopharm is a leading pharmaceutical and healthcare group that covers the entire industry chain—from R&D and manufacturing to distribution. With strong R&D capabilities, robust industrial-scale production capacity, proven commercial execution, and an extensive market network, we look forward to deeply integrating the strengths of our technology platform with Sinopharm’s full-industry-chain capabilities to jointly accelerate the R&D and accessibility of innovative medicines."

Sinopharm commented: "As the national team in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, Sinopharm has always placed scientific and technological innovation at the core of its development strategy and is accelerating the establishment of a new paradigm that synergizes independent innovation with open collaboration. Harbour BioMed is a world-leading platform-driven biopharmaceutical company, equipped with a rare fully human antibody technology platform and AI-powered antibody discovery capabilities that are at the forefront in China. The establishment of an innovation R&D consortium with Harbour BioMed represents a key move by Sinopharm to optimize resource allocation and enhance R&D efficiency. We look forward to both parties fully leveraging our respective strengths in technology, talent, platforms, and industrial chains to jointly advance the R&D and industrialization of innovative drugs, and to provide patients with more high-quality and affordable treatment options."

(Press release, Harbour BioMed, JUL 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234669439])

IDEAYA Biosciences Announces IDE892, a Potential Best-in-Class MTA-Cooperative PRMT5 Inhibitor, Initiates Part 2 Monotherapy Expansion in the Phase 1/2 Study in MTAP-Deleted Pancreatic and Lung Cancers

On July 27, 2026 IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDYA), a leading precision medicine oncology company, reported that initiation of Part 2 monotherapy expansion has been achieved in its Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating IDE892, a potential best-in-class methylthioadenosine (MTA)-cooperative inhibitor of PRMT5, in MTAP-deleted solid tumors, with a focus on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). IDE892 Phase 1/2 monotherapy expansion has been initiated at projected efficacious target human exposures where 24-hours target EC90 coverage have been achieved. The IDE892 maximum tolerated dose (MTD) has not yet been reached in the ongoing dose escalation.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are excited to initiate monotherapy expansion evaluating IDE892 in MTAP-deleted PDAC and NSCLC. We designed IDE892 to be a potential best-in-class PRMT5 inhibitor, including approximately 1,400-fold selective MTA-PRMT5 cooperative binding versus SAM-PRMT5 cooperative binding, lack of brain penetrance, and favorable drug-like properties intended to maximize its therapeutic window as both a monotherapy agent and in combination. We are well positioned to have the industry’s deepest MTAP-deletion pipeline, with IDE892, MAT2A inhibitor IDE397 in Phase 2, and the potential first-in-class CDKN2A lead molecule advancing in preclinical toxicology studies for a target IND in the first half of 2027," said Yujiro S. Hata, President and Chief Executive Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences.

Loss of MTAP leads to the accumulation of MTA and increased dependence on PRMT5 and MAT2A, two key enzymes involved in methylation and RNA splicing. In MTAP-deleted tumors, this biology establishes a robust synthetic lethal vulnerability that underpins the mechanistic rationale for combining IDE892 and IDE397, where the first-patient-in (FPI) was achieved in mid-2026. IDEAYA also entered into a clinical collaboration with Roche evaluating IDE892 in combination with RG6505, Roche’s Phase 1 pan-RAS inhibitor, in MTAP-deleted pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to target the genetic co-alterations of MTAP and KRAS in this indication. Next, IDEAYA is advancing a third proprietary and potential first-in-class program for MTAP-deleted solid tumors targeting CDKN2A, the most common co-alteration of MTAP-deletion, through ongoing preclinical toxicology studies to support an investigational new drug (IND) application in the first half of 2027. IDEAYA anticipates that rational combination doublets may be pursued with IDEAYA’s CDKN2A lead molecule and IDE892 to target the co-alterations of MTAP and CDKN2A, and pan-RAS inhibitors, as the key tumor suppressor gene CDKN2A has been reported to be deficient in approximately 70% of PDAC.

MTAP deletion is estimated to occur in approximately 15% of all solid tumors, including 15 to 20% of NSCLC and up to 40% of PDAC. There are no approved therapies for MTAP-deleted cancers, highlighting the significant unmet need and opportunity for new precision therapies for these patients.

IDE892 has potential best-in-class properties, including approximately 1,400-fold selective MTA-PRMT5 cooperative binding versus SAM-PRMT5 cooperative binding and lack of brain penetrance intended to maximize its therapeutic window, and favorable drug-like properties to enable rational combinations with IDE397, pan-RAS inhibitors, KRAS G12D therapies, and IDEAYA’s CDKN2A lead molecule. IDE892 has a CYP3A4 IC50 greater than 45 micromolar and did not show time dependent inhibition of any of the 7 major cytochrome P450s (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4) based on full kinetic CYP inactivation assays, positioning IDE892 as a potential best-in-class MTA-cooperative PRMT5 combination partner.

(Press release, Ideaya Biosciences, JUL 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234669438])

Insilico Medicine Announces Oral Presentation at ESMO 2026 for Phase 1 Clinical Study of ISM6331 in Mesothelioma and Advanced Solid Tumors

On July 27, 2026 Insilico Medicine ("Insilico", HKEX:3696), a clinical-stage, generative AI-driven drug discovery company, reported that first-in-human Phase 1 trial data for ISM6331, its novel AI-designed pan-TEAD inhibitor, has been accepted for a Rapid Oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2026, taking place October 23–27, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"TEAD has long been recognized as an attractive target in hard-to-treat solid tumors, but small-molecule inhibition has historically posed significant design challenges, said Feng Ren, Ph.D., Co-CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Insilico Medicine. "The selection of ISM6331 for a Rapid Oral presentation at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2026 highlights the potential of our AI-generated platform to target complex oncogenic drivers like the Hippo pathway and represents a promising pan-TEAD approach that we are eager to share with the community."

Details of the Rapid Oral Presentation

Title: First-in-human Multicenter Phase 1 Study of ISM6331, an AI-Designed Pan-TEAD Inhibitor, in Patients with Mesothelioma or Other Advanced Solid Tumors
Abstract Number: #997
Session Name: Rapid Oral Presentation: Developmental Therapeutic
Location: Cordoba Auditorium – Hall 4
Date/Time: Sunday 25.10.2026 08:30 – 10:00
"Presenting our first-in-human Phase 1 study at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) marks an important clinical milestone for ISM6331," said Halle Zhang, Ph.D., Vice President, Clinical Development – Oncology at Insilico Medicine. "Patients with advanced mesothelioma and other Hippo-driven solid tumors face limited therapeutic options. These preliminary clinical findings provide early encouragement as we evaluate ISM6331’s safety, pharmacokinetics, and initial antitumor activity to inform our ongoing clinical development strategies."

About ISM6331

ISM6331 is a novel, potent, small-molecule pan-TEAD inhibitor discovered and designed using Insilico Medicine’s proprietary generative AI-powered drug discovery platform, Chemistry42. The molecule targets TEAD transcription factors, the principal downstream effectors of the Hippo signaling pathway, a critical regulator of cell proliferation, survival, tissue homeostasis, and therapeutic resistance across a broad range of solid tumors. Although the Hippo pathway has long been recognized as a promising therapeutic target in oncology, developing effective small-molecule TEAD inhibitors has remained a significant medicinal chemistry challenge. ISM6331 was designed to selectively inhibit pan-TEAD activity and is being evaluated in a global, multicenter Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with malignant mesothelioma and other advanced solid tumors. The study is assessing ISM6331 safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity to inform its continued clinical development.

(Press release, Insilico Medicine, JUL 27, 2026, View Source [SID1234669437])