BOSTON, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX), a clinical-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics to treat multiple human diseases, today announced the appointments of Arjun Prasad, MBA, MPH as Chief Commercial Officer and Cynthia Sirard, MD as Chief Medical Officer, both effective as of January 1, 2026. “We are thrilled to welcome Arjun and Cyndi to the Compass team. They are highly accomplished leaders with ...

Core Insights - Oxford BioTherapeutics (OBT) has announced a multi-year collaboration with GSK to develop novel antibody-based therapeutics for cancer treatment [1][8] - The collaboration leverages OBT's OGAP®-Verify discovery platform for identifying oncology targets, which will be validated through joint research efforts [2][8] - OBT will receive an undisclosed upfront payment from GSK, along with potential milestone payments and royalties on net sales of resulting products [3][8] Company Overview - OBT is a clinical stage oncology company focused on developing first-in-class antibody-based therapies, including bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) [5][9] - The company aims to address significant unmet needs in cancer therapy through its innovative drug development approach [5][6] Technology and Development - The OGAP®-Verify platform enhances the sensitivity and specificity of oncology target identification, accelerating the validation of human targets for drug development [6][8] - OBT's lead clinical program, OBT076, targets advanced or refractory solid tumors, with a focus on cancers where CD205 is overexpressed [7][8] Strategic Partnerships - The collaboration with GSK marks OBT's second major partnership with a leading pharmaceutical company in 2025, highlighting the recognition of its discovery platform's potential [4][8] - OBT has previously established partnerships with other major companies, including Roche and Boehringer Ingelheim, validating its capabilities in oncology [8][9]

Core Insights - The updated efficacy analysis of osemitamab in combination with nivolumab and CAPOX shows promising results in patients with advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer, particularly those with higher CLDN18.2 expression [1][2][4] Efficacy Analysis - In a cohort of 26 patients with CLDN18.2 expression ≥40%, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.6 months, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 68% and a median duration of response (DoR) of 18 months at a median follow-up of 25.8 months [2] - Better PFS outcomes were observed in patients with higher CLDN18.2 expression compared to lower expressors, indicating consistent treatment benefits across different PD-L1 expression subgroups [2] Safety Profile - The safety profile of the osemitamab combination regimen is consistent with previous presentations, indicating it is well tolerated [3] Expert Commentary - Clinical experts highlight the significance of the consistent benefits across PD-L1 subgroups, suggesting that the osemitamab regimen may provide meaningful improvements for a broad patient population with advanced G/GEJ cancer [4] - The ongoing strength of clinical signals reinforces the potential of osemitamab to offer effective treatment options for patients [4] Product Information - Osemitamab is a high-affinity humanized anti-CLDN18.2 monoclonal antibody that exhibits enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and has shown potent anti-tumor activities in preclinical models [5] - It has received Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. for treating gastric or gastroesophageal junction and pancreatic cancer [5] Company Overview - Transcenta Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on antibody-based therapeutics, with integrated capabilities in discovery, research, development, and manufacturing [6][7] - The company has established a global presence with facilities in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and clinical development centers in China, the U.S., and Europe [7]

Core Insights - Defence Therapeutics Inc. has established its inaugural Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to enhance its Accum®-Antibody drug conjugate (ADC) program, which has shown significant laboratory validation results [2][3][9] Group 1: Scientific Advisory Board Formation - The SAB consists of experts Rob Leanna, Danny Chui, and Brendan Hussey, who will provide scientific, technical, and strategic guidance for the company's programs [2][4] - The formation of the SAB aims to strengthen Defence's scientific foundation and support disciplined decision-making as the company advances its Accum® platform [9] Group 2: Accum®-Antibody Drug Conjugate Program - Defence's Accum®-ADC program has achieved laboratory validations, indicating a notable increase in intracellular accumulation and improved efficacy [3] - The SAB will help shape the direction and scientific priorities of the Accum®-enabled ADC programs as they progress towards clinical development [3][9] Group 3: Expertise of SAB Members - Rob Leanna brings extensive experience in ADC and drug-linker chemistry, having previously led development and regulatory strategy at AbbVie Inc. [5] - Danny Chui has over 20 years of experience in therapeutic antibody discovery and ADC development, contributing expertise in antibody engineering and preclinical pharmacology [6] - Brendan Hussey, with a background in biotechnology and investment banking, will align Defence's platform with market opportunities and partner expectations [7] Group 4: Company Overview - Defence Therapeutics is focused on engineering next-generation ADC products using its proprietary Accum® technology, which enhances the precision delivery of biologics [10] - The Accum® platform aims to improve efficacy and potency for biologics, thereby expanding patient access and market opportunities [10]

Core Insights - Compass Therapeutics reported strong progress in its clinical pipeline, particularly with tovecimig for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC), expecting to release overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) data in late Q1 2026, which may support a Biologics License Application (BLA) filing in the second half of 2026 [2][4][5] - The company has observed promising responses in CTX-8371, with no dose-limiting toxicities, and plans to expand cohorts in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) [2][4][12] - Compass Therapeutics has a strong cash position of $220 million as of September 30, 2025, which is expected to fund operations through 2028 [14] Clinical Pipeline Updates - Tovecimig is in the Phase 2/3 COMPANION-002 study for advanced BTC, with analyses of OS and PFS expected in late Q1 2026 [4][5] - CTX-8371 has shown new responses in a third indication, with cohort expansions planned for NSCLC and TNBC based on previous results [2][12] - CTX-10726 is on track for an Investigational New Drug (IND) filing in Q4 2025, with initial Phase 1 clinical data anticipated in H2 2026 [4][12] Financial Performance - For Q3 2025, the net loss was $14.3 million, compared to $10.5 million in Q3 2024, with a net loss of $50.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $34.3 million for the same period in 2024 [9][19] - Research and development (R&D) expenses increased to $12.8 million for Q3 2025, up 49% from $8.6 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to manufacturing and IND-enabling costs for CTX-10726 [10][19] - General and administrative (G&A) expenses decreased to $3.0 million for Q3 2025, down 18% from $3.6 million in Q3 2024, attributed to a credit from unvested employee equity [13][19] Cash Position - As of September 30, 2025, Compass Therapeutics had $220 million in cash and marketable securities, a significant increase from $127 million at the end of 2024, providing a cash runway into 2028 [14][21]

Core Insights - Compass Therapeutics reported positive progress in its clinical trials, particularly achieving the primary endpoint in the COMPANION-002 trial for tovecimig in biliary tract cancer (BTC) [2][4][5] - The company has a strong financial position with $113 million in cash and marketable securities, providing a cash runway into 2027 [2][13] Clinical Development Updates - Tovecimig (DLL4 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody) achieved a 17.1% overall response rate (ORR) in the COMPANION-002 trial, significantly higher than the 5.3% ORR for paclitaxel alone [4][5] - The first patient has been dosed in an Investigator Sponsored Trial (IST) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for tovecimig in the first-line setting for BTC [2][4] - CTX-10726, a PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody, is on track for an IND filing expected in Q4 2025, with clinical data anticipated in 2026 [2][10] - CTX-8371, a PD-1 x PD-L1 bispecific antibody, has progressed to the fourth dosing cohort in a Phase 1 study, with data expected in the second half of 2025 [2][10] Financial Performance - The net loss for Q1 2025 was $16.6 million, or $0.12 per share, compared to a net loss of $10.8 million, or $0.08 per share, in Q1 2024 [9][18] - Research and Development (R&D) expenses increased by 37% to $13.1 million in Q1 2025, primarily due to additional spending on clinical trials [10][18] - General and Administrative (G&A) expenses rose by 51% to $4.9 million, largely due to increased personnel costs [12][18] Cash Position - As of March 31, 2025, the company had $113 million in cash and marketable securities, down from $127 million at the end of 2024, indicating a cash runway into 2027 [13][20]