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Genmab and AbbVie Provide Clarification on Phase 3 EPCORE® DLBCL-1 Trial Evaluating Epcoritamab (DuoBody®-CD3xCD20) in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

On July 23, 2026 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq: GMAB) and AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) reported clarification on the primary endpoints from the Phase 3 EPCORE DLBCL-1 study evaluating monotherapy epcoritamab (DuoBody-CD3xCD20), a T-cell engaging bispecific antibody administered subcutaneously, compared with investigator’s choice of chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) of either rituximab plus gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (R-GemOx) or bendamustine plus rituximab (BR) in adults with relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who were ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation. Genmab and AbbVie previously announced topline results of the study on January 16, 2026, and additional study results were subsequently presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2026 Congress on June 12, 2026.

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EPCORE DLBCL-1 is a global, Phase 3, open label, multi-center, randomized clinical trial with prespecified primary endpoints that differ by region. In the United States, where overall survival (OS) is the sole primary endpoint, the study did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in OS and therefore did not meet its primary endpoint.

Additional results of the EPCORE DLBCL-1 study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

About Epcoritamab
Epcoritamab is approved under the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with R/R DLBCL, not otherwise specified (NOS), including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma, after two or more lines of systemic therapy.

Epcoritamab is being co-developed by Genmab and AbbVie as part of the companies’ oncology collaboration. The companies will share commercial responsibilities in the U.S. and Japan, with AbbVie responsible for further global commercialization. Genmab and AbbVie continue to evaluate the potential of epcoritamab, with ongoing clinical programs evaluating the therapy as a monotherapy and in combination regimens across treatment lines and a broad range of hematologic malignancies. Data from EPCORE DLBCL-2, evaluating fixed duration epcoritamab in combination with standard-of-care rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP), in patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL are anticipated in 2026. This follows the recent disclosure of topline results from the Phase 3 EPCORE DLBCL-4 study, evaluating fixed-duration epcoritamab in a chemotherapy-free combination with lenalidomide in patients with R/R DLBCL.

Epcoritamab is an IgG1-bispecific antibody created using Genmab’s proprietary DuoBody technology and administered subcutaneously. Genmab’s DuoBody-CD3 technology is designed to direct cytotoxic T cells selectively to elicit an immune response toward target cell types. Epcoritamab is designed to simultaneously bind to CD3 on T cells and CD20 on B cells and induces T-cell-mediated killing of CD20+ cells.i

Epcoritamab (approved under the brand name EPKINLY in the U.S. and Japan, and TEPKINLY in the EU) has received regulatory approval in certain lymphoma indications in more than 65 territories. Where approved, epcoritamab is a readily accessible therapy.

Please see local country prescribing information for all labeled indication and safety information.

About the EPCORE DLBCL-1 Trial
EPCORE DLBCL-1 (NCT04628494) is a global Phase 3 open label, multi-center, randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of epcoritamab (GEN3013, DuoBody-CD3xCD20) compared to investigator’s choice of chemotherapy, either rituximab plus gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (R-GemOx), or bendamustine plus rituximab (BR), in patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL who are ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant (HDT-ASCT). The trial started on January 13, 2021, and is ongoing.

More information on this trial can be found at View Source

About Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) worldwide, accounting for approximately 25-30 percent of all NHL cases.ii,iii In the U.S., there are approximately 25,000 new cases of DLBCL diagnosed each year.iv DLBCL can arise in lymph nodes as well as in organs outside of the lymphatic system, occurs more commonly in the elderly and is slightly more prevalent in men.v,vi DLBCL is a fast-growing type of NHL, a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system and affects B-cell lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. For many people living with DLBCL, their cancer either relapses, which means it may return after treatment, or becomes refractory, meaning it does not respond to treatment. Although new therapies have become available, treatment management can remain a challenge.

(Press release, Genmab, JUL 23, 2026, View Source [SID1234669396])

Lantern Pharma Receives USPTO Notice of Allowance for Patent Covering Biomarker-Guided Treatment with LP-184 (Zirdafulven) in Multiple Solid Tumor Cancers

On July 23, 2026 Lantern Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company using artificial intelligence and genomic data to develop targeted cancer therapies, reported that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for U.S. Patent Application No. 17/230,821, titled "Methods for the Treatment of Solid Tumor Cancers Using Illudins and Biomarkers."

The allowed claims cover methods of selecting and treating patients with ovarian, primary liver, kidney, or thyroid cancer with LP-184 (zirdafulven) based on measured elevated expression of each of three genes — PTGR1, PTPN14, and ASPH — in a patient tumor sample.

"PTGR1 is unique in that it sits on both sides of the equation — it is associated with aggressive tumor biology, and it is the enzyme that activates LP-184 inside the tumor cell," said Kishor Bhatia, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Lantern Pharma. "Combining it with PTPN14 and ASPH gives us a selection signature that leverages additional features of tumors that either make them aggressive by impacting proliferation, as in the case of ASPH, or are part of parallel pathways that confer sensitivity to LP-184, as is the case of PTPN14. The allowance recognizes that this biomarker signature is a unique approach, and we expect this to help us increase the likelihood of response and benefit for patients in our clinical trials."

AI-Guided Precision Medicine Approach

Lantern’s proprietary RADR artificial intelligence platform played a central role in LP-184’s development, identifying prostaglandin reductase-1 (PTGR1) overexpression and low expression of multiple DDR genes as strong predictors of LP-184 sensitivity.

LP-184 functions as a prodrug that is selectively activated inside cancer cells by PTGR1, which is frequently overexpressed in tumors. Upon activation, LP-184 forms a highly reactive metabolite that damages the DNA of the cancer cell and induces interstrand cross-links and double-strand breaks — damage that cannot be repaired in tumors with deficient DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways, resulting in selective cancer-cell death while sparing normal cells.

Lantern Pharma completed a 63-patient LP-184 Phase 1a trial in patients with recurrent or refractory advanced solid tumors. Among patients treated at or above the effective therapeutic dose, the disease control rate was 45%. LP-184 is planned to be evaluated in multiple precision oncology Phase 1b/2 trials in advanced aggressive and rare cancers during 2026.

Lantern Pharma intends to continue expanding its patent portfolio through additional filings covering further indications and biomarker-guided applications of LP-184.

Webinar: Inside The Data — An In-Depth Discussion of the LP-184 Science, Clinical Trial Results, and Future Development Plans

For a comprehensive review of LP-184’s mechanism of action, detailed Phase 1a clinical data, patient case studies, and the company’s development strategy, Lantern Pharma invites stakeholders to view the recent "Inside The Data" webinar featuring management and a Key Opinion Leader from Fox Chase Cancer Center. The webinar provides in-depth scientific context and clinical insights that complement this announcement and is available on Lantern Pharma’s YouTube channel at: View Source

About LP-184

LP-184 is a next-generation acylfulvene that is synthetically lethal and designed to selectively target solid tumors with DNA damage repair pathway deficiencies. As a prodrug activated by the enzyme PTGR1, LP-184 induces irreparable DNA damage in cancer cells while sparing normal tissue. The compound has demonstrated nanomolar potency in preclinical models and encouraging durability in early clinical testing in heavily pre-treated patients. LP-184 has received FDA Fast Track Designation for TNBC and GBM, and Orphan Drug Designation for malignant gliomas, pancreatic cancer, and ATRT.

(Press release, Lantern Pharma, JUL 23, 2026, View Source [SID1234669395])

MacroGenics Provides Clinical Update on Ongoing Phase 1 Study for MGC026

On July 23, 2026 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported an update on the ongoing Phase 1 study evaluating MGC026, a novel B7-H3-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), incorporating a topoisomerase I inhibitor-based linker-payload, in patients with advanced solid tumors. MacroGenics plans to present dose escalation and preliminary tumor-specific cohort results at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2026 Congress, taking place October 23-27, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.

The dose escalation portion of the study evaluated MGC026 at doses ranging from 1 mg/kg to 9 mg/kg administered every three weeks (q3W) and was completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. A dose of 7.5 mg/kg q3W is being further evaluated in four tumor-specific cohorts: recurrent or metastatic SCCHN, endometrial cancer, melanoma, and soft tissue sarcoma. The study is active at clinical sites in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
The SCCHN cohort employs a Simon’s two-stage design, with a planned enrollment target of 40 patients.

MacroGenics is currently enrolling SCCHN patients in Stage 2 after meeting the pre-specified response threshold in Stage 1. Enrollment in the other three cohorts continues as planned. As of July 8, 2026, a total of 74 patients had been enrolled across the dose escalation and ongoing cohort expansion portions of the study. As of this date, there were no cases of interstitial lung disease or ocular toxicity reported, and evidence of anti-tumor activity was observed across several indications.

"We look forward to sharing the data at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) and believe this presentation represents an important opportunity to demonstrate the potential of MGC026 as we continue its clinical development," said Eric Risser, President and Chief Executive Officer of MacroGenics.

ESMO 2026 Poster Presentations

•Title: Phase 1, first-in-human study of MGC026, a B7-H3–targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in advanced solid tumors
•Presentation Number: 1020P
•Lead Author: Rachel E. Sanborn, M.D.
•Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
•Time: 15:15 – 16:00 CEST
The Company also plans to present the following poster on lorigerlimab, an investigational, bispecific DART molecule that targets PD-1 and CTLA-4:
•Title: LINNET: A phase 2 study to evaluate lorigerlimab in participants (pts) with advanced gynecologic cancers
•Presentation Number: 1278P
•Lead Author: Amir Jazaeri, M.D.
•Date: Monday, October 26, 2026
•Time: 12:00 – 12:45 CEST

About MGC026

MGC026 is an investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting B7-H3, a protein with expression across the tumor microenvironment, including on tumor cells, tumor-associated stroma, and tumor-associated vasculature. MGC026 incorporates Synaffix’s proprietary ADC technology and the SYNtecan E topoisomerase I inhibitor-based linker-payload, which consists of a cleavable, exatecan-based cytotoxic payload conjugated at a drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) of 4. MGC026 is designed to deliver this potent payload selectively to B7-H3-expressing tumors and is being developed for patients with advanced solid tumors. The ongoing Phase 1 study of MGC026 is an open-label clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary antitumor activity of MGC026 in patients with advanced solid tumors. Additional information about the study is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov using the identifier NCT0624270.

(Press release, MacroGenics, JUL 23, 2026, View Source [SID1234669394])

VERAXA Biotech Appoints Christoph Erkel as Chief Scientific Officer to Advance BiTAC® Technology Platforms and Portfolio

On July 23, 2026 VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA; "VERAXA"), an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, reported the appointment of Christoph Erkel, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), effective immediately. Christoph Erkel, previously Vice President of Research & Development at VERAXA, will apply his extensive management expertise in R&D to direct and accelerate development of the company’s proprietary BiTAC (bi-targeted tumor-associated cytotoxicity) platform technologies, with the goal of developing safer and more effective cancer treatments for patients with solid tumors. He succeeds Rick Austin, Ph.D., who will be leaving the company after a successful transition period.

Christoph Erkel is an accomplished scientific leader with 20 years of expertise in antibody therapeutics, with a career bridging early-stage discovery and clinical readiness. His expertise includes antibody engineering and preclinical development, advancing candidate molecules up to IND submission. Prior to joining VERAXA, he served as Research Program Leader at MorphoSys AG (acquired by Novartis), where he led cross-functional teams and therapeutic programs in immuno-oncology, including the development of conditionally active T cell engagers for solid and hematologic tumors. Earlier, he held senior roles in Discovery Biology and Antibody Engineering, as well as scientific and leadership positions at Sloning BioTechnology GmbH. Christoph Erkel earned his Ph.D. in Biology from Philipps University in Marburg and conducted postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology.

"I am excited to take on this role at such a pivotal moment for VERAXA," said Christoph Erkel, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of VERAXA. "Our mission to translate the groundbreaking potential of the BiTAC platforms into transformative therapies for patients is both inspiring and pressing. I look forward to working with our exceptional team to expand our pipeline, accelerate our programs toward clinical trials, and deliver on the promise of a new generation of oncology treatments."

"We would like to thank Rick Austin for his many contributions during this transformative phase of our company’s journey," said Oliver R. Baumann, Chairman of the VERAXA Board. "His leadership has been instrumental in shaping our pipeline and target decisions. At the same time, we are thrilled to welcome Christoph Erkel as our new CSO. Christoph’s proven ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary projects and his deep scientific expertise will be instrumental as we advance our innovative BiTAC technology platform and expand our product portfolio."

(Press release, Veraxa Biotech, JUL 23, 2026, View Source [SID1234669392])

Quest Diagnostics Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results; Raises Revenue and EPS Guidance for Full Year 2026

On July 23, 2026 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.

"Our robust top- and bottom-line growth in the second quarter demonstrates focused execution of our strategy to connect people and providers to innovative testing and actionable insights that illuminate paths for better health," said Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO and President. "Revenues increased by over 10%, almost all from organic revenue growth across our physician, hospital and consumer channels, and adjusted diluted EPS grew over 19%. With strong growth and sustained demand for our diagnostic insights, we are again raising our full year guidance."

Recent Highlights:

Serving Customers and Delivering Innovations

Continued to advance our Co-Lab Solutions implementation and joint venture laboratory with Corewell Health in Michigan and developed new capabilities in kidney care through our collaboration with Fresenius Medical Care in the United States.
Generated robust revenue growth through questhealth.com and our consumer, wearable and wellness partners.
Grew revenues by double-digits in several areas of Advanced Diagnostics, including Quest AD-Detect blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease and advanced cardiometabolic and endocrine tests, including liver fibrosis testing.
Granted New York State approval for our Haystack MRD test and became the largest reference lab to utilize Flatiron Health’s OncoEMR Molecular Profiling Integration (MPI) platform for select cancer tests, including Haystack MRD, starting with a pilot with American Oncology Network (AON).
Driving Operational Excellence

In the lab, extended automation solutions to improve quality and productivity in cervical cancer screening and front-end specimen processing to additional labs.
Outside the lab, launched IntelliDraw to guide clinical staff of our physician customers through specimen collection, to enhance quality and the service experience.

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2026

2025

Change

2026

2025

Change

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Reported:

Net revenues

$ 3,043

$ 2,761

10.2 %

$ 5,938

$ 5,413

9.7 %

Diagnostic Information Services
revenues

$ 2,978

$ 2,699

10.3 %

$ 5,810

$ 5,288

9.9 %

Revenue per requisition

(2.8) %

(2.1) %

Requisition volume

13.1 %

12.0 %

Organic requisition volume

13.0 %

11.9 %

Operating income (a)

$ 459

$ 438

4.6 %

$ 858

$ 784

9.4 %

Operating income as a percentage of net
revenues (a)

15.1 %

15.9 %

(0.8) %

14.4 %

14.5 %

(0.1) %

Net income attributable to Quest
Diagnostics (a)

$ 320

$ 282

13.4 %

$ 572

$ 502

13.9 %

Diluted EPS (a)

$ 2.84

$ 2.47

15.0 %

$ 5.08

$ 4.41

15.2 %

Cash provided by operations

$ 597

$ 544

9.7 %

$ 875

$ 858

1.9 %

Capital expenditures

$ 138

$ 108

27.0 %

$ 252

$ 225

12.1 %

Adjusted (a):

Operating income

$ 502

$ 466

7.8 %

$ 949

$ 872

8.8 %

Operating income as a percentage of net
revenues

16.5 %

16.9 %

(0.4) %

16.0 %

16.1 %

(0.1) %

Net income attributable to Quest
Diagnostics

$ 350

$ 298

17.3 %

$ 631

$ 549

14.9 %

Diluted EPS

$ 3.12

$ 2.62

19.1 %

$ 5.62

$ 4.83

16.4 %

(a)

For further details impacting the year-over-year comparisons related to operating income, operating income as a percentage of net revenues, net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics, and diluted EPS, see note 2 of the financial tables attached below.

Updated Guidance for Full Year 2026

The company updates its full year 2026 guidance as follows:

Updated Guidance

Prior Guidance

Low

High

Low

High

Net revenues

$11.95 billion

$12.05 billion

$11.78 billion

$11.90 billion

Net revenues increase

8.3 %

9.2 %

6.8 %

7.8 %

Reported diluted EPS

$9.97

$10.17

$9.58

$9.78

Adjusted diluted EPS

$11.05

$11.25

$10.63

$10.83

Cash provided by operations

Approximately $1.80 billion

Approximately $1.75 billion

Capital expenditures

Approximately $550 million

Based on the favorable resolution of various tax contingencies in the second quarter, the full year adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be consistent with 2025.

(Press release, Quest Diagnostics, JUL 23, 2026, View Source [SID1234669391])