Akari Therapeutics(US:AKTX) Globenewswire·2026-02-23 13:50Core Viewpoint - Akari Therapeutics has appointed Dr. Olga Anczukow to its Scientific Advisory Board, enhancing its expertise in RNA biology and cancer research, which is crucial for the development of next-generation therapeutics [1][2][4] Company Overview - Akari Therapeutics is an oncology biotechnology company focused on developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with a unique payload, PH1, that targets RNA splicing in cancer cells [9] - The lead candidate, AKTX-101, targets the Trop2 receptor on cancer cells and utilizes a proprietary linker to deliver the PH1 payload directly into tumors, minimizing off-target effects [9] - AKTX-101 has shown significant activity in preclinical studies, demonstrating prolonged survival compared to traditional ADCs and potential synergy with checkpoint inhibitors [9] Dr. Olga Anczukow's Background - Dr. Anczukow is a recognized leader in RNA biology and cancer research, currently serving as an Associate Professor at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine and a Co-Program Leader at the NCI-designated Jackson Laboratory Cancer Center [4][6] - Her research focuses on alternative RNA splicing and its misregulation in cancer, contributing to tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance [4][6] - Dr. Anczukow's previous work includes significant contributions to understanding breast cancer genetics and the role of RNA splicing in cancer biology [5][6] Research and Development Focus - The company aims to leverage Dr. Anczukow's expertise to shape research strategy and evaluate emerging scientific opportunities, particularly in RNA-targeted treatments [2][4] - Akari's innovative ADC discovery platform allows for the generation and optimization of ADC candidates tailored to specific antigen targets [9] - The ongoing research at The Jackson Laboratory integrates various methodologies to investigate how cancer cells adapt their splicing programs to survive and evade therapy [6]