α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor-associated antigen and an ideal target for T-cell receptor T-cell (TCR-T) therapy. While the safety of AFP-targeting TCR-T products has been previously demonstrated in early clinical trials, the efficacy of these cell therapies is still modest, warranting further research.

Biotheryx Inc. has gained FDA clearance for its IND application for BTX-9341, a novel cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) bifunctional degrader.

Researchers from Gempharmatech Co. Ltd. presented a new humanized mouse model for preclinical research into the functionality and therapeutic potential of IL-12.

Bioatla Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for BA-3361, a conditionally active biologic (CAB)-Nectin-4 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for the treatment of multiple tumor types.

Researchers from ADC Therapeutics SA presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel camptothecin-based Claudin-6-specific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), GB01-VA-PL2202.

Lantern Pharma Inc. has entered into a strategic artificial intelligence (AI)-driven collaboration with Oregon Therapeutics SAS to optimize the development of Oregon’s first-in-class protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) inhibitor drug candidate XCE-853 in novel and targeted cancer indications.

Eisbach Bio GmbH has announced FDA clearance of its IND application for EIS-12656, a first-in-class orally bioavailable and blood-brain barrier-penetrant allosteric inhibitor of ALC1 (CHD1L), a key molecular machine in DNA repair. Enrollment will open in the second quarter in a phase I/II trial in patients with genetically defined advanced solid tumors, including patients progressing under PARP inhibitor treatment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis, in part due to the immunosuppression surrounding the tumor mediated by regulatory T cells (Tregs), thus preventing effective responses to immune therapy.