Instil Bio

Instil Bio has appointed Jamie Freedman, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Medical Officer to lead development of AXN-2510, a novel PD-L1xVEGF bispecific antibody for solid tumors.

Instil Bio shares rose following the announcement of an updated clinical development strategy for IMM2510/AXN-2510, a novel PD-(L)1xVEGF bispecific antibody developed with ImmuneOnco Biopharmaceuticals.

Instil Bio's stock jumped 48.4% following positive updates on IMM2510/AXN-2510, a novel PD-L1xVEGF bispecific antibody showing 23% objective response rate in relapsed/refractory non-small cell lung cancer.

Grit Biotechnology will showcase three innovative research programs at the ASGCT 2025 Annual Meeting, including an APC-targeted neoantigen cancer vaccine, non-viral in vivo CAR-T therapy, and LNP-mediated gene editing in TILs.

• KSQ Therapeutics has dosed the first patient in a Phase 1/2 trial evaluating KSQ-004EX, a novel CRISPR-engineered tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, for advanced solid tumors. • The investigational therapy uses CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to inactivate SOCS1 and Regnase-1 genes, which preclinical studies showed significantly enhances anti-tumor functionality and addresses limitations of current TIL approaches. • The trial will evaluate KSQ-004EX in patients with melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cervical cancer who have progressed on standard therapies.

• Iovance Biotherapeutics granted inducement stock options covering 297,600 shares to fifty new employees on April 17, 2025, following similar grants of 308,710 shares to forty-three employees in March. • The company is expanding its workforce to support the commercialization of Amtagvi, the first FDA-approved T-cell therapy for a solid tumor indication, and further development of its tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) platform. • Each stock option has a three-year vesting period with an exercise price of $3.06 per share, reflecting Iovance's strategic investment in human capital to advance its cancer immunotherapy pipeline.

ImmuneOnco has dosed the first patient in a Phase 1b/2 trial of IMM2510/SYN-2510 with chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China.

• Turnstone Biologics is prioritizing its clinical program, TIDAL-01, a Selected TIL therapy, and streamlining operations to extend its cash runway into the second quarter of 2026. • The company is reducing its workforce by approximately 60% as part of a strategic realignment to focus on clinical development and manufacturing efforts. • Initial Phase 1 data from the STARLING trial supports the biological hypothesis for TIL selection, showcasing a complete response in a heavily pre-treated MSS-CRC patient. • Leadership transitions include Ines Verdon assuming leadership of clinical activities and Michael Fitch overseeing manufacturing, with other changes in finance and operations.

• Biosyngen presented its next-generation tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) technology at the ESMO 2024 Annual Congress, showcasing advancements in liver cancer treatment. • The company's proprietary platform expands TILs from biopsy samples, achieving significant cell production within four weeks, enhancing antitumor efficacy. • Biosyngen's gene-modified TILs demonstrate strong tumor-killing effects without requiring concomitant IL-2 use, addressing limitations of traditional TIL therapies. • BRG01, Biosyngen's lead product, is in a pivotal Phase II clinical trial for solid tumors, with Phase I trials for BST02 and BRL03 anticipated to complete this year.

• Grit Biotechnology's GT201, a genetically engineered tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, has been cleared by the FDA for clinical trials in advanced solid tumors. • GT201 leverages Grit's StemTexp platform and StaViral transduction system to enhance T-cell survival and function without heavy reliance on IL-2. • Early clinical data presented at ASGCT and ASCO demonstrated GT201's stable in-vivo expansion and preliminary efficacy with a good safety profile in advanced solid tumor patients. • Grit Biotechnology is also advancing GT101, a non-genetically engineered TIL product, with plans to submit a biologics license application in China in 2025.