Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HIGHLIGHTS Two US-based sites have completed trial initiation activities for the AMPLICITY trial in pancreatic cancer These sites join the two Australian sites already open and recruiting patients Three additional US sites are expected to be open in the coming weeks Amplia Therapeutics Limited (ASX:ATX; OTCQB:INNMF), (“Amplia” or the “Company”), announces that two (2) sites in the US have been initiated and will shortly be commencing recruitment activi ...

Core Insights - ImmunityBio had a remarkable performance in 2025, setting a strong foundation for 2026 [2] Group 1: Company Achievements - The company received approval for its bladder cancer treatment in 2024, which was a significant milestone [3] - In January 2026, ImmunityBio received its J-Code, enabling the commercial team to effectively market their product [4]

Core Insights - Moleculin Biotech, Inc. is collaborating with Atlantic Health to conduct a Phase 1B/2 study of Annamycin for third-line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, addressing a significant unmet medical need in this high-mortality disease [1][3][2] Company Overview - Moleculin Biotech, Inc. is a late-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing drug candidates for hard-to-treat cancers and viral infections, with Annamycin as its lead program [11] - Annamycin is a next-generation anthracycline designed to avoid multidrug resistance and cardiotoxicity, currently in development for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and soft tissue sarcoma lung metastases [11][4] Study Details - The Phase 1B/2 study will evaluate Annamycin's efficacy in advanced pancreatic cancer, with an estimated cost of approximately $1 million for the trial from 2026 to 2030 [3][1] - Atlantic Health will conduct the study, while Moleculin will supply Annamycin and manage the Investigational New Drug Application (IND) with the FDA [3][1] Preclinical Data - Recent preclinical studies suggest that Annamycin targets critical factors in pancreatic cancer, showing a high level of activity against the disease and associated liver metastases [2][3] - The upregulation of topoisomerase II, the primary target of Annamycin, correlates with poor survival in pancreatic cancer patients, validating the target's relevance [3][2] Industry Context - Pancreatic cancer is the cancer with the highest mortality rate globally and has limited treatment options, particularly in the third-line setting where no approved standard of care exists [2][3] - The collaboration aims to drive innovation in pancreatic cancer treatment, addressing a significant gap in available therapies for patients who have progressed beyond first- and second-line treatments [3][2]

Group 1 - Proactive provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2][3] - The news team covers key finance and investing hubs including London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth [2] - Proactive focuses on medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [2][3] Group 2 - The team delivers news and insights across various sectors including biotech, pharma, mining, natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging technologies [3] - Proactive adopts technology to enhance workflows and improve content production [4][5] - All content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, ensuring adherence to best practices in content production and search engine optimization [5]

Core Insights - Silexion Therapeutics Corp. has released promising preclinical data for its drug SIL204, which shows effective targeting and anti-tumor activity against pancreatic cancer metastasis [1][3][4] Group 1: Study Findings - SIL204 demonstrated successful biodistribution to all major metastatic sites after a single subcutaneous injection at a dose of 5 mg/mouse, which is a mid-range human equivalent dose for planned clinical trials [2][3] - Significant reductions in tumor burden were observed at day 7 across evaluated organs, with statistically significant reductions (p<0.01) noted in the peritoneum, lung, and intestine [3] - The liver, a common site for pancreatic cancer metastasis, also showed measurable tumor burden reduction, validating the drug's potential for clinical application [4] Group 2: Future Plans - The company is expanding tissue culture studies across various cancer types and KRAS mutations to further explore SIL204's pan-KRAS potential, with results anticipated soon [5] - Silexion is on track to initiate Phase 2/3 clinical trials for its dual-route administration approach in the first half of 2026, with regulatory submissions planned for late 2025 and early 2026 [5] Group 3: Financial Actions - Silexion Therapeutics has priced a public offering of 1.5 million shares along with series A and B warrants, each at $4 per share, which will also have an exercise price of $4.00 per share [6] - Following the news, SLXN stock increased by 14.83%, reaching $5.15 [6]

Core Insights - Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal with a five-year survival rate of only 12%, and current first-line chemotherapy regimens show variable efficacy [1][10] - Tempus AI Inc. has developed PurIST, an RNA-based algorithm that classifies pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors into "classical" or "basal" subtypes, addressing the need for robust biomarkers in therapy selection [2][10] - The global pancreatic cancer treatment market is projected to reach $5.84 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2025 to 2030, positioning Tempus' PurIST for significant growth [3] Company Developments - Tempus AI recently presented the largest real-world evidence supporting the integration of PurIST into clinical care for advanced PDAC, demonstrating its role in personalizing first-line therapy [4][5] - The findings from the study published in JCO Precision Oncology establish PurIST as both a prognostic and predictive biomarker, enhancing the likelihood of improved survival for patients [5][10] Market Performance - Tempus AI shares have increased by 67.4% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 21.4% and the S&P 500's 19.4% [9] - The company currently trades at a forward Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio of 9.56X, significantly higher than the industry average of 5.88X, indicating a potentially expensive valuation [11] Financial Estimates - Recent estimates indicate a slight downward adjustment in Tempus AI's loss per share for 2025, moving from -0.14 to -0.16 over the past 30 days [12][13]

Company Overview - NovoCure Limited (NVCR) submitted a premarket approval (PMA) application to the FDA for Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy aimed at treating locally advanced pancreatic cancer, with a decision expected in the second half of 2026 [1][9] - The PMA submission is a significant milestone for NovoCure, likely enhancing its position in the global oncology market [2] Financial Performance - NovoCure currently has a market capitalization of $1.33 billion and a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 2.1, which is lower than the industry average of 5.8 [4] - In the last reported quarter, NVCR achieved an earnings surprise of 7.7% [4] - The company reported a 5.6% year-over-year increase in total net revenues for the second quarter of 2025, driven by active patient growth [8] Clinical Development - The PMA application is supported by the PANOVA-3 trial, which assessed TTFields therapy in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as a first-line treatment for adults with unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma [5] - The PMA for pancreatic cancer is submitted as a supplement to the existing PMA for Optune Lua, which is currently indicated for non-small cell lung cancer [6] Market Potential - The global pancreatic cancer treatment market is projected to grow from $2.92 billion in 2024 to $5.84 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3% [7] - Factors such as the rise in lifestyle-related diseases and an aging population are expected to drive market growth, presenting significant opportunities for NovoCure [7] Stock Performance - Following the announcement of the PMA submission, NVCR shares declined by nearly 1.3% [3] - Over the past year, NVCR's stock has decreased by 33.2%, compared to a 14% decline in the industry and a 13.8% gain in the S&P 500 [10]

Core Insights - AIM ImmunoTech Inc. reported promising mid-year results for Ampligen in combination with AstraZeneca's Imfinzi for pancreatic cancer treatment, showing no significant toxicity and improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) [1][2] - The company has strengthened its cash position, raising $8.0 million in a public equity offering, which is expected to fund operations for approximately 12 months [10] Financial Highlights - As of June 30, 2025, AIM reported cash, cash equivalents, and marketable investments totaling $835,000 [10] - Research and development expenses for Q2 2025 were $1.2 million, an increase from $1.1 million in Q2 2024 [10] - General and administrative expenses decreased to $1.5 million in Q2 2025 from $2.6 million in Q2 2024 [10] - The net loss from operations for Q2 2025 was $2.8 million, or $(3.68) per share, compared to a net loss of $1.8 million, or $(3.00) per share, in Q2 2024 [10] Clinical Development - The company is prioritizing the development of Ampligen in a Phase 2 trial for locally advanced pancreatic cancer in collaboration with Erasmus Medical Center and AstraZeneca [2] - Positive clinical data has been reported, indicating a clear path toward government approval for Ampligen in treating pancreatic cancer [2] - Upcoming presentations are scheduled at significant cancer research symposiums, highlighting the ongoing research efforts [10]

Core Insights - Zai Lab Limited and NovoCure Limited presented additional data from the Phase 3 PANOVA-3 trial of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy for pancreatic cancer at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting [1] Group 1: Trial Overview - The Phase 3 PANOVA-3 trial evaluated TTFields therapy in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as a first-line treatment for unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma compared to gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone [2] Group 2: Primary Endpoint Results - The trial met its primary endpoint, showing a statistically significant improvement in median overall survival (mOS) for patients treated with TTFields [3] - In the intent-to-treat population, patients receiving TTFields therapy had an mOS of 16.2 months compared to 14.2 months for those treated with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone, representing a statistically significant 2.0-month improvement [4] Group 3: Secondary Endpoint Results - The one-year survival rate for the TTFields group was 68.1%, significantly higher than the 60.2% for the control group [5] - Patients treated with TTFields had a median pain-free survival of 15.2 months compared to 9.1 months in the control group, indicating a statistically significant 6.1-month extension in pain-free survival [6] - No statistically significant differences were observed in additional secondary outcome measures such as progression-free survival and tumor resectability rate between the two treatment arms [7] Group 4: Safety Profile - TTFields therapy was well-tolerated, with no new safety signals observed, and safety outcomes were consistent with prior clinical studies [8] - Mild to moderate skin adverse events were the most common device-related adverse events [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q1 2025 were $300,000, a significant decrease from $6,900,000 in Q1 2024, primarily due to the transition of Effexxa's commercialization to AIRMID [17][18] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $5,100,000, compared to a net loss of $700,000 in Q1 2024, driven by non-operating income related to the reevaluation of warrants [21] - Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025, stood at $26,400,000, providing a cash runway projected to fund operations through the second half of 2026 [21][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Effexxa generated sales of $1,400,000 in Q1 2025, resulting in $300,000 of royalty revenues to BioLineRx, with expectations of growth resuming after a transition period [15] - Research and development expenses decreased to $1,600,000 in Q1 2025 from $2,500,000 in Q1 2024, reflecting lower costs associated with motixafortide due to the out-licensing agreement [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall market for Effexxa is estimated at approximately $300,000,000, with expectations that BioLineRx could capture a substantial portion of this market, translating to potential revenues in the $100 million range [39][40] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on evaluating early clinical stage and late preclinical stage therapeutic assets in oncology and rare diseases, leveraging expertise in drug development [6] - The strategic partnership with AIRMID is expected to provide significant commercial milestones and royalties, allowing the company to return to its roots in complex drug development [4][5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the ongoing development of metixafortide in pancreatic cancer, highlighting strong scientific rationale for continued investment in this area [10][11] - The company aims to identify new assets for in-licensing and development to expand its pipeline and create additional value for shareholders [62] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its operating cash burn by over 70%, from over $40,000,000 annually to less than $12,000,000 as of 2025 [9] - The ongoing trials for sickle cell disease using metixafortide are expected to provide valuable data, with results from two phase one trials currently awaited [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Does the cash runway include new asset development costs? - Yes, the cash runway includes potential costs associated with new assets, which may be offset by milestones and royalties [24] Question: Have the restructuring costs been fully accounted for in the P&L? - Yes, the restructuring costs were fully accrued by the end of 2024, with no further anticipated costs in 2025 [25] Question: What are the expectations for Effexxa's long-term opportunity? - The market for Effexxa is estimated at $300,000,000, with expectations of capturing a significant portion, leading to potential revenues exceeding $100 million [39][40] Question: What is the communication strategy for interim analysis results? - The communication strategy is aligned with Columbia University, which is leading the study, and data will be released following their publication [33] Question: What are the thoughts on the current trajectory of the cell and gene therapy fields? - There are headwinds in the gene therapy space, but the company views Effexxa as a long-term play with significant upside potential [42][45] Question: What is the visibility on future milestone payments? - Milestone payments are primarily commercial-based, with some geographic and regulatory milestones included in the agreements [51][55]