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Verrica Pharmaceuticals Announces Upcoming Presentation of Phase 2 Data Highlighting the Potential Abscopal Effects of VP-315 in the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma at the 2026 Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Annual Meeting

On May 5, 2026 Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Verrica") (Nasdaq: VRCA), a therapeutics company developing and commercializing medications for the treatment of dermatological diseases, including skin cancers, reported the presentation of Phase 2 clinical data highlighting the potential abscopal effects of the Company’s novel oncolytic peptide, VP-315 (ruxotemitide), in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) at the 2026 Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Annual Meeting, taking place from May 13-16, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. Patients with BCC frequently present with multiple tumors, and approximately one-third will develop additional primary tumors over their lifetime, highlighting the need for therapies that address diseases such as BCC with multifocal potential.

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"The peripheral anticancer activity we are observing well beyond the injection site suggests that VP-315 could be exerting an abscopal effect for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma," said Jayson Rieger, PhD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verrica Pharmaceuticals. "Such activity may indicate a broader immune activation within the tumor microenvironment of non-target lesions. If this is demonstrated in further pivotal testing, it could suggest that VP-315 has a unique potential to not only effectively treat primary BCC lesions but could also address the unmet need in patients with more than one lesion. It could also benefit patients with difficult to detect, residual disease that can sometimes be left behind after surgical excision of the tumor," Dr. Rieger continued.

The poster, titled "VP-315 Demonstrates a Potential Abscopal Effect in Untreated Non-Target Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Lesions" will be presented by Noah Rosenberg MD, Verrica’s Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Rosenberg commented "We are excited about the potential of VP-315 to provide a primary and/or neoadjuvant treatment option for patients with BCC, whether it be their first lesion or multiple lesions after a long history of BCC. While the best outcome for patients is to completely eliminate the tumor, which we have observed in many patients in our Phase 2 study, overall tumor size was reduced on average by 86%, which is clinically meaningful. This highlights the potential for VP-315 to improve the patient experience by reducing the size and potential complexity of future procedures, even where surgical excision is ultimately required," Dr. Rosenberg concluded.

Presentation Details:

Poster Number: LB1190
Category: Non-Melanoma Cancers and UV Biology/Injury
Poster Session Dates and Time:
Friday, May 15, 2026 (4:30 pm – 6:00 pm)
Location: (Salons B, C, D – Lower Level, Hilton Chicago)

Key Findings:

Background

VP-315 (ruxotemitide) is a potential first-in-class oncolytic chemotherapeutic peptide immunotherapy administered directly into a tumor to induce immunogenic cell death and thereby unleashing a broad spectrum of tumor antigens for T-cell responses, which may offer a non-surgical option for patients suffering from skin cancer. Verrica holds an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize VP-315 for certain dermatologic oncology indications, including non-metastatic melanoma and non-metastatic merkel cell carcinoma, and intends to focus initially on basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas as the lead indications for development. VP-315 has demonstrated positive tumor-specific immune cell responses in multi-indication Phase 1/2 oncology trials.

Type of Study:
Open-Label Phase II trial

Methods

Subjects received <8 mg (in 0.5mL) intratumoral VP-315 injections in up to 2 treated lesions (TLs). Up to 3 non-treated lesions (NTLs) per subject were monitored over 12 weeks. Changes in NTL size were assessed histologically after excision on digital images in relation to tumor bed size, histologic subtype and NTL location relative to TLs.

Results:

14 untreated NTLs in 9 subjects demonstrated an overall 67% reduction in lesion size following treatment of TLs. Reductions ranged from 50-100% (superficial) and 25-100% (nodular). Complete histologic clearance was observed in 21% of NTLs (3 /14). Reductions in tumor size were observed in all NTL locations including proximal, distal and contralateral to TLs. No skip lesions were observed. Non-serious local skin reactions were reported in 1 NTL.

Conclusions

The therapeutic effects of VP-315 extended beyond treated lesions. Reductions in untreated NTLs suggest a potential abscopal effect consistent with broader immune activation within the tumor microenvironment of remote NTLs.

About Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., and incidence is rising worldwide. There are approximately 3.6 million diagnoses of basal cell carcinomas in the U.S. each year, with a high unmet need for new treatment options. Basal cell carcinoma is generally treated with invasive surgery to remove the tumor, which can cause pain, infection, bleeding and scarring.

(Press release, Verrica Pharmaceuticals, MAY 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234665158])

Compass Therapeutics Reports 2026 First Quarter Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On May 5, 2026 Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX), a clinical-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics to treat multiple human diseases, reported first quarter 2026 financial results and provided a business update.

"We recently announced positive data from our Phase 2/3 study of tovecimig and look forward to meeting with the FDA before filing a BLA later this year. Most patients with BTC have no approved therapeutic option in the second line setting. Tovecimig, with its strong response rate, striking progression benefit and impact on overall survival would be a compelling treatment alternative for these patients," said Thomas Schuetz, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors."

"In the post-checkpoint inhibitor setting where treatment alternatives are also critically needed, we have ongoing studies with very two promising candidates. Our novel PD-1 x PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor CTX-8371 continues to demonstrate strong and durable clinical activity and we look forward to presenting dose-escalation and early expansion cohort data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper). CTX-10726, our differentiated PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody, is also in a Phase 1 study and we expect to share initial data later this year."

Pipeline Updates:

Tovecimig (DLL4 and VEGF-A bispecific antibody)

In April 2026, the Company announced data from its Phase 2/3 study of tovecimig, which it plans to include in a BLA submission, to treat patients with biliary tract cancer in the second line setting:

Overall Response Rate (primary endpoint): 17.1% for tovecimig combination (n=111), including one complete response, compared to 5.3% for paclitaxel alone (n=57)(p=0.031).
Progression-Free Survival (secondary endpoint): 4.7 months for tovecimig combination compared to 2.6 months for paclitaxel alone (HR=0.44, p<0.0001).
Overall Survival (secondary endpoint): Analysis was confounded by high crossover from the control arm (n=31) and markedly prolonged survival of these crossover patients after receiving tovecimig. The OS of the patients randomized to the tovecimig combination arm (n=111), which does not include the OS of these crossover patients later treated with tovecimig, was a median of 8.9 months.
PFS Before / After Crossover (secondary endpoint): Patients treated with tovecimig after crossing from the control arm progressed after a median 3.5 months (PFS2) in the third line setting. These same 31 patients, when initially randomized to paclitaxel alone (PFS1), had progressed more quickly, with a median of 1.9 months in the second line setting (HR=0.36, p=0.0016).
OS Crossover vs. Non-Crossover (post hoc subset analysis): In an analysis of OS in all patients initially randomized to the paclitaxel control arm (n=57), crossover patients who subsequently received tovecimig demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in median OS of 12.8 months compared to 6.1 months for non-crossover patients who received only paclitaxel (n=26)(HR=0.54, p=0.04).
Pooled OS of All Patients Treated with Tovecimig (post hoc subset analysis): For all patients treated with tovecimig, including both crossover patients and patients initially randomized to the tovecimig combination arm (n=142), the pooled median OS was 9.8 months. The median OS for patients randomized to the paclitaxel alone who did not crossover (n=26) was 6.1 months.
Safety: Tovecimig was generally well tolerated and the safety profile was consistent with prior studies, with no new safety signals identified.

The investigator sponsored trial (IST) of tovecimig in combination with the current first-line, standard-of-care regimen of gemcitabine, cisplatin, and durvalumab in patients with BTC (NCT05506943) is ongoing. The Company is evaluating multiple additional studies for tovecimig in other indications, including both ISTs and Company-sponsored studies.

CTX-8371 (PD-1 x PD-L1 bispecific antibody)

Cohort expansions for CTX-8371 have been initiated in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC, n=28), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, n=28), and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL, n=12) in the post-checkpoint inhibitor setting. These indications were selected based on the deep and durable responses observed in these indications in the dose escalation portion of the study. Half of the patients with each tumor type will be dosed at 3.0 mg/kg and half will be dosed at 10.0 mg/kg.
Initial data from these cohort expansions, as well as available data from the Phase 1 dose-escalation portion of the study, will be presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2026. Additional data from the cohort expansions are expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

CTX-10726 (PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody)

The Phase 1 study has been initiated with clinical data expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Phase 1 multiple ascending dose-escalation study will include four doses (0.3, 1.0, 3.0, and 10.0 mg/kg) in a 3+3 dose-escalation design. The multi-center study will enroll patients with a prioritized set of solid tumor indications, including patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma, gastroesophageal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and endometrial cancer, in whom standard of care therapies have failed.
CTX-10726 is a tetravalent PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody discovered and engineered by the Company. CTX-10726 exhibits more potent PD-1 blockade compared with data reported for other drugs in the class and the Company believes it has a unique understanding of aspects of its mechanism of action that will guide development.

CTX-471 (CD137 or 4-1BB agonist antibody)

Initiation of the Phase 2 trial of CTX-471 in patients with tumors expressing NCAM (CD56) is expected in the second half of 2026.

Financial Results

Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, was $18.3 million or $0.10 per common share, compared to $16.6 million or $0.12 per common share for the same period in 2025.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses

R&D expenses were $13.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $13.1 million for the same period in 2025, an increase of $0.3 million or 3%.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses

G&A expenses were $6.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $4.9 million for the same period in 2025, an increase of $2.0 million or 41%. The increase was primarily driven by pre-commercialization expenses of $1.0 million and higher stock compensation (excluding stock compensation related to pre-commercialization) of $1.4 million.

Cash Position

As of March 31, 2026, cash and marketable securities were $195 million as compared to $209 million as of December 31, 2025, a decrease of $14 million, with an anticipated cash runway into 2028. During the first quarter of 2026, $18 million of net cash was used in operating activities, and this was partially offset by proceeds from exercise of common stock of $4 million.

(Press release, Compass Therapeutics, MAY 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234665157])

CG Oncology to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences in May

On May 5, 2026 CG Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CGON) reported that Arthur Kuan, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, and Ambaw Bellete, President & Chief Operating Officer, will participate in fireside chat presentations at the Bank of America Health Care Conference and the RBC Capital Markets Global Healthcare Conference this month. The details of the upcoming events are as follows:

Bank of America Health Care Conference 2026
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Presentation Time: 10:40 AM – 11:10 AM PT
Location: Las Vegas, NV

RBC Capital Markets Global Healthcare Conference
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Presentation Time: 2:35 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Location: New York, NY

Interested parties may access the live audio webcast for the conferences from the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.cgoncology.com. The webcast replays will be available shortly after the conclusion of the live presentations and archived for approximately 90 days.

(Press release, CG Oncology, MAY 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234665156])

Geron Plans to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

On May 5, 2026 Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company aiming to change lives by changing the course of blood cancer, reported that members of the management team are scheduled to present at the following investor conferences:

Bank of America Securities 2026 Healthcare Conference
Presentation on Tuesday, May 12 at 4:35 p.m. ET in Las Vegas, NV

2026 Stifel Virtual Targeted Oncology Forum
Virtual presentation on Wednesday, May 20 at 12:00 p.m. ET

A live and archived audio webcast of the conference call will be available from the Investors and Media section of the Company’s website at www.geron.com.

(Press release, Geron, MAY 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234665155])

Alpha Tau Announces Upcoming Podium Presentation at the AHNS 12th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer Showcasing Study Results of Alpha DaRT® Head and Neck Cancer Combination with Pembrolizumab

On May 5, 2026 Alpha Tau Medical Ltd. (Nasdaq: DRTS, DRTSW) ("Alpha Tau"), the developer of the innovative alpha-radiation cancer therapy Alpha DaRT, reported that an abstract entitled "Management of Locally Advanced and Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Elderly Patients Using Diffusing Alpha-Emitter Radiation Therapy in Combination with Pembrolizumab" has been accepted for podium presentation at the American Head and Neck Society ("AHNS") 12th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, taking place July 18-22, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. The presentation is scheduled to occur during the Proffered Papers session on Radiation and Adjuvant Therapies on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

The AHNS International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer is one of the world’s premier forums dedicated to advancing multidisciplinary head and neck oncology, bringing together leading surgeons, oncologists, and researchers from across the globe. Selection for a podium presentation represents one of the highest distinctions at the conference, reserved for abstracts of particular scientific merit and clinical significance.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, with approximately 25-40% of patients diagnosed at age 70 or older. Elderly patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease face a particularly significant unmet medical need, as they are often ineligible for or unable to tolerate aggressive multimodal therapies, and available treatment options for this vulnerable population are associated with suboptimal survival outcomes. While the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors has expanded the therapeutic landscape for HNSCC, there remains a compelling rationale for combining localized intratumoral treatments with systemic immunotherapy to potentially enhance immune activation and improve clinical outcomes, particularly in patients for whom conventional approaches carry unacceptable toxicity.

The accepted abstract presents complete top-line data from a clinical study conducted at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel, evaluating Alpha DaRT in combination with pembrolizumab in elderly patients with locally advanced and metastatic HNSCC, from which interim data had previously been presented at the Company’s R&D Day in January 2025. This study represents a natural evolution of Alpha Tau’s head and neck cancer program, building on a foundation of strong monotherapy data generated across clinical studies in the United States, Europe, Israel, and Japan. Preclinical research has strongly suggested that Alpha DaRT treatment may activate an immune response, providing a scientific rationale for combining it with checkpoint immunotherapy. In this combination approach, Alpha DaRT is designed to act as a localized intratumoral add-on to the patient’s standard-of-care immunotherapy regimen, without altering or interrupting the ongoing systemic treatment.

Uzi Sofer, CEO of Alpha Tau, stated, "The selection of our combination therapy abstract for a podium presentation at the AHNS International Conference is a strategic milestone for Alpha Tau. Our head and neck cancer program has matured significantly over recent years, with monotherapy studies across the United States, Europe, Israel, and Japan consistently demonstrating the strong safety profile of Alpha DaRT. Moving into combination with immunotherapy is a natural and deliberate next step in our strategy. Head and neck cancer remains a devastating disease with a profound burden on patients and their families, particularly for elderly patients who have limited treatment options and face poor prognoses. We believe the combination of a targeted intratumoral radiotherapeutic approach with systemic immunotherapy represents a highly promising frontier, and we are committed to advancing Alpha DaRT toward becoming a meaningful treatment option for these patients."

Prof. Aron Popovtzer, MD, Director of the Sharett Institute of Oncology at Hadassah Medical Center and the lead Principal Investigator for Alpha DaRT clinical studies at Hadassah, commented, "The patient population in this study – elderly patients with locally advanced or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma – represents one of the most challenging groups in oncology. These patients often cannot tolerate aggressive chemoradiation, and their treatment options are severely limited. The procedure itself is straightforward, and Alpha DaRT is delivered as an add-on to the patient’s ongoing standard-of-care immunotherapy without requiring any changes to their existing treatment regimen. I look forward to presenting these data at the AHNS conference and to discussing the potential of this combination approach with colleagues from around the world."

Robert B. Den, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Alpha Tau, stated, "This podium presentation at AHNS is an exciting achievement for our combination therapy program. The clinical trial landscape in head and neck cancer is increasingly focused on combining localized and systemic therapies to enhance immune activation, and numerous studies are exploring different intratumoral approaches alongside checkpoint inhibitors. What differentiates Alpha DaRT in this space is its safety profile: Across all of our head and neck cancer studies to date, we have generally observed acute, low-grade toxicities associated with Alpha DaRT, with no chronic effects reported. For patients and physicians alike, this is a critical consideration – the ability to add a potent intratumoral treatment without compounding the toxicity burden of existing systemic therapy. We believe this combination approach opens a compelling new pathway for patients who currently have very few options."

(Press release, Alpha Tau Medical, MAY 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234665154])