MRA's Melanoma Biorepository featured at AACR's Special Conference on Breaking Barriers in the Fight Against Rare Cancers. Jul 29, 2026 Individuals experiencing a rare cancer like acral melanoma or mucosal melanoma often face unique challenges such as delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and poor health outcomes. Research is critical for changing this, but given the rarity of acral and mucosal melanoma, investigators and clinicians encounter difficulties in accessing the patient samples and preclinical models needed to better understand these rare cancers and develop new treatments. To overcome this barrier, the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) has made advancing rare melanoma research a major priority. MRA has developed resources that now make it easier for researchers to study these rare melanoma subtypes, including the Rare Melanoma Model Catalogs, which connect researchers with preclinical models used for scientific studies, and the newly launched MRA Melanoma Biorepository, where patients can donate tissue samples to help advance scientific studies on melanoma by expanding researcher access to tissue samples. The MRA Melanoma Biorepository was recently featured at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Special Conference on Breaking Barriers in the Fight Against Rare Cancers held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, which convenes experts across academia, industry, and patient advocacy to discuss research innovation for rare cancers - from diagnosis to treatment and clinical trial design. As part of the conference, attendees had the opportunity to learn about how patients with melanoma are helping to advance research through the MRA Melanoma Biorepository. Dr. Kasey Couts, Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (UCAMC) and Co-Director of the CU Center for Rare Melanomas, presented insights from this new MRA initiative. The MRA Melanoma Biorepository is a patient-directed effort designed to collect tissue samples from patients with melanoma and share them with qualified researchers to help accelerate translational and clinical studies across melanoma subtypes, including cutaneous melanoma (the most common form of melanoma) and especially the rarer acral and mucosal melanomas. As one of the leaders behind this program, Dr. Couts oversees the biobanking operations at UCAMC, where the MRA Melanoma Biorepository is physically housed. Dr. Couts' presentation illuminates how the MRA Melanoma Biorepository works, the simple steps patients with melanoma can take to donate their tissue samples, and how investigators and clinicians can develop long-standing partnerships with the biorepository. What is the MRA Melanoma Biorepository and why is it important? The MRA Melanoma Biorepository is a patient-directed program that gives individuals with acral, mucosal, and cutaneous melanoma the opportunity to donate their tissue samples-including tumor tissue, normal tissue, blood, and other sample types-to support melanoma research. These donated samples help researchers to better understand how melanoma develops and progresses, identify new approaches for diagnosis and surveillance, and advance the development of new and more effective treatments. Dr. Couts' presentation highlighted that one of the greatest challenges in rare melanoma research is access to patient samples. Because acral and mucosal melanoma are uncommon, researchers often have difficulty obtaining enough tissue samples to conduct meaningful studies. By providing donated samples to qualified researchers, the MRA Melanoma Biorepository helps overcome this barrier. Dr. Couts also shared other challenges endured by researchers: even when tissue samples exist, they are often difficult to share across institutions due to complex sharing policies or limited infrastructure for distributing patient samples. The MRA Melanoma Biorepository is helping to address these barriers by creating a centralized resource that makes it easier for researchers to access high-quality patient samples in a timely manner. How can patients donate tissue to the MRA Melanoma Biorepository? Participating in the MRA Melanoma Biorepository is designed to be as simple as possible. Patients with acral, mucosal, or cutaneous melanoma can donate tissue samples from a previous or future biopsy or surgery, as well as donate blood or provide a cheek swab. As a part of her presentation, Dr. Couts explained how the donation process works: Step 1: Enroll in the biorepository. Patients begin by emailing [email protected] to express their interest in participating. They receive a consent form, and those who choose to participate return the signed consent along with a brief questionnaire about their demographics and clinical history. This information helps the biorepository acquire the donated sample and provides qualified researchers with more information about how the sample can be used for a specific research study. Step 2: Tissue collection. Once enrolled, MRA biorepository staff coordinates with the patient's clinical team to obtain the donated tissue sample. Tissue collection kits are sent to the patient's clinical team who then transfer the collected sample to the biorepository at the UCAMC, directed by Dr. Couts. How are patient tissue samples processed and stored at the MRA Melanoma Biorepository? Dr. Couts' presentation also detailed what happens to a patient's donated sample once it arrives at the biorepository. Different sample types are processed in different ways to maximize their versality for use in approved research studies. For example, archival tumor tissue may be preserved as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks or hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) pathology slides, blood can be separated into different components or processed into DNA or RNA, and cheek swabs can be processed into DNA. Fresh tumor tissue from surgeries and biopsies is especially valuable because it can also be used to develop important preclinical models, like patient-derived xenografts (patient tumor tissue grown in mice), that are critically needed for rare melanoma research. The biorepository uses a laboratory information management system (LIMS) to track each de-identified sample (removing all identifiable patient information from the sample) from receipt through processing, storage, and future distribution to approved researchers. How are donated tissue samples used for research? Once samples have been processed, qualified researchers can request access to them for melanoma research studies. Each request is reviewed by a Tissue Use Disbursement Committee to ensure the requested samples and proposed research are meritorious and make appropriate use of these valuable patient-donated samples. Once approved and other institutional and material-transfer processes have occurred, researchers are then able to receive the de-identified samples and associated clinical data. By providing researchers with access to high-quality patient tissue samples, the MRA Melanoma Biorepository helps to accelerate scientific collaborations and advance research for melanoma, especially the rare melanoma subtypes. MRA is grateful to Dr. Couts for her leadership in establishing the Melanoma Biorepository and for her outstanding presentation at the AACR Special Conference on Breaking Barriers in the Fight Against Rare Cancers. Interested in getting involved? For patients interested in donating tissue, contact [email protected] to learn more about the MRA Melanoma Biorepository and to receive a consent form. For providers, hospitals, and clinics interested in partnering with the MRA Melanoma Biorepository, contact [email protected].

Tract Bio announces presentations at two AACR conferences. Jul 21, 2026, 13:00 ET Upcoming poster presentation at AACR D3 features data supporting TP101 as a therapeutic strategy to target drug-resistant cancer stem cells Presented poster at AACR Special Conference on Breaking Barriers in the Fight Against Rare Cancers demonstrates the potential of functional screening to identify synthetic lethal combinations against drug-resistant populations in ovarian cancer BOSTON, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Tract Bio ("Tract"), a biotechnology company discovering and developing novel therapies for cancer and inflammatory disease, today announced presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research Drug Discovery and Development (AACR D3) conference and the AACR Special Conference on Breaking Barriers in the Fight Against Rare Cancers. Tract is advancing complementary approaches aimed at the drug-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) that survive treatment and drive disease progression. The stemECHO(TM) platform selectively clones CSCs while preserving genomic and epigenomic fidelity, enabling functional screening to identify the drugs that eliminate them in an individual patient; TP101 is a small molecule therapeutic candidate that has been tested against these cells directly. "Cancer stem cells drive tumor progression and therapeutic resistance yet have been difficult to eliminate selectively. Our functional precision medicine approach has the potential to find these cells and the drugs that eliminate them in an individual patient with ovarian cancer, and TP101 demonstrates how we can develop therapeutics against them directly while preserving normal stem cells," said Dr. Frank McKeon, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Tract Bio. "We are encouraged by the TP101 data which we believe support its potential as a new treatment approach for Barrett's esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and high-grade epithelial malignancies, and we are continuing to advance toward an IND submission." AACR Drug Discovery and Development (AACR D3): July 21-24, 2026; Boston, MA The poster presentation highlights TP101, a first-in-class small molecule therapeutic that combines a proprietary bivalent IAP antagonist and the tyroskine kinase inhibitor ponatinib to selectively eliminate CSCs across epithelial solid tumors while sparing healthy epithelial stem cells. The dual small molecule combination killed CSCs in vitro with low nanomolar potency, robust caspase 3 activation, and marked sparing of normal esophageal stem cells in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). In mouse xenografts, TP101 drove near-complete tumor regression of EAC and depletion of tumor-associated fibroblasts. Together, these data support TP101 as a therapeutic strategy to potently and selectively eliminate malignant stem cells while targeting tumor supportive stroma and broadening the therapeutic window. Presentation details are as follows: * Title: TP101: First-in-class cancer stem cell-targeted small molecule combination therapy for epithelial malignancies * Presenters: Cody C. McHale, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer of Tract Bio; Souneek Chakraborty, Ph.D., Principal Scientist, Biology of Tract Bio * Session Date and Time: Poster #A078, Session A - Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 6:15-8:45 p.m. ET * Venue: Sheraton Boston Hotel, Back Bay Ballroom AACR Special Conference on Breaking Barriers in the Fight Against Rare Cancers: July 18-20, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia The second poster highlights a functional precision medicine approach in high-grade serous ovarian cancer, leveraging the Company's stemECHO(TM) platform to clone cancer stem cells from individual patient specimens. Tract researchers identified a polyresistant population in every case examined, then screened those cells against hundreds of approved and investigational drugs to find combinations that eliminated them at low nanomolar concentrations in vitro and showed activity in xenograft models derived from the polyresistant clones. This approach has the potential to deliver patient-specific drug sensitivity profiles to a multidisciplinary Functional Precision Medicine Tumor Board within 14 to 28 days of biopsy receipt. * Title: Functional precision medicine targeting polyresistant cancer stem cells in high-grade serous ovarian cancer * Presenters: Wa Xian, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Tract Bio; Yen-hsiang "Johnson" Huang, Senior Bioinformatics Scientist of Tract Bio * Session Date and Time: Poster #A030, Session A - Saturday, July 18, 2026, 7:30-9:30 p.m. PDT * Venue: JW Marriott Parq Vancouver Hotel, Vancouver, BC, Canada About Tract Bio Tract Bio is a biotechnology company discovering and developing novel therapies to transform the treatment of cancer and inflammatory disease. The Company's proprietary line of FAP-activated peptide drug conjugates (PDCs) uses advanced targeting technology to potentially enhance the safety and efficacy of cancer therapeutics. Tract is leveraging both its FAP PDC platform and its breakthrough stem cell discovery platform, stemECHO(TM), to transform the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. stemECHO(TM) allows for reliable, high-volume generation of pure stem cell libraries in their ground-state while preserving the functional, genetic and epigenetic integrity of the original stem cell. Tract Bio is advancing TP-101, a first-in-class drug combination identified using stemECHO(TM) that is designed to potently and selectively eliminate cancer stem cells while sparing normal stem cells. SOURCE Tract Bio

Akari Therapeutics appoints former AACR President and renowned oncology drug development leader, Patricia LoRusso, D.O., to Scientific Advisory Board. July 07, 2026 08:55:00 am Globally recognized leader in early-phase oncology clinical development and experimental therapeutics Strengthens strategic expertise as Akari advances its novel ADC payload that modulates RNA splicing into future Phase 1 First-in-Human trial TAMPA, Fla. and LONDON, July 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Akari Therapeutics, Plc (Nasdaq: AKTX), an oncology biotechnology company developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with novel RNA splicing modulator payloads, today announced the appointment of Patricia LoRusso, D.O. to its Scientific Advisory Board. "Dr. LoRusso is one of the most influential leaders in oncology drug development, and her appointment represents a significant addition to Akari at a critical inflection point for the Company," said Abizer Gaslightwala. "Her unparalleled experience advancing first-in-human oncology programs, combined with her leadership as former President of AACR, will be instrumental as we transition AKTX-101 into the clinic. As we advance a highly differentiated ADC payload modulating RNA splicing, her strategic and clinical insight will help ensure we maximize the potential of our PH1 payload and drive impactful outcomes for patients." Dr. LoRusso brings more than 25 years of experience in medical oncology, drug development, and early-phase clinical trials, and is widely regarded as a pioneer in experimental therapeutics. She currently serves as Amy and Joseph Perella Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology) at Yale Cancer Center, Chief of Experimental Therapeutics, and Associate Cancer Center Director of Experimental Therapeutics. Prior to joining Yale, she held multiple leadership roles at Wayne State University's Barbara Karmanos Cancer Institute, including Director of the Phase I Clinical Trials Program and the Eisenberg Center for Experimental Therapeutics. Dr. LoRusso is a past President of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and has played a significant role in advancing the field of oncology through leadership positions across major scientific and clinical organizations. She has served as Co-Chair of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) Investigational Drug Steering Committee and contributed to numerous committees within AACR and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). She has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to oncology research and drug development. Dr. LoRusso commented, "I am excited to join Akari's Scientific Advisory Board at a time when innovation in oncology is rapidly expanding the boundaries of what is possible. Targeting RNA splicing represents a compelling and differentiated approach with the potential to impact fundamental drivers of cancer biology. I look forward to working with the team to help advance AKTX-101 and support the development of novel therapies for patients with significant unmet need." Dr. LoRusso's deep expertise in early-phase clinical development and translational oncology will support Akari's efforts to advance its lead program, AKTX-101, a TROP2-targeting ADC powered by its proprietary PH1 payload, currently in IND-enabling studies with a targeted Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial expected in mid-2027. About Akari Therapeutics Akari Therapeutics is an oncology biotechnology company developing next-generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with a unique payload, PH1, which targets RNA splicing. Utilizing its innovative ADC discovery platform, the Company has the ability to generate ADC candidates and optimize them based on the desired application to any antigen target of interest. Akari's lead candidate, AKTX-101, targets the Trop2 receptor on cancer cells with a proprietary linker, enabling it to deliver its novel PH1 payload directly into the tumor with minimal off-target effects. Unlike current ADCs that use microtubule inhibitors and DNA-damaging agents as their payloads, PH1 is a novel payload that is a spliceosome modulator designed to disrupt RNA splicing within cancer cells. This splicing modulation has been shown in preclinical animal models to induce cancer cell death while activating both the innate and adaptive immune systems to drive robust and durable activity. In preclinical studies, AKTX-101 has been shown to have significant activity and prolonged survival relative to ADCs with traditional payloads. Additionally, AKTX-101 has the potential to be synergistic with checkpoint inhibitors and has demonstrated prolonged survival as both a single agent and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. The PH1 payload has also been demonstrated to be very active against cancer cells with key oncogenic drivers such as KRAS, BRAF, ARV7, FGFR3 fusions, and others. The Company has initiated IND enabling studies for AKTX-101 with a goal of starting its First-In-Human trial by mid-2027. Akari is also developing AKTX-102, an ADC candidate targeting CEACAM5 (Carcinoembryonic Antigen-related Cell Adhesion Molecule-5), a well-validated tumor antigen broadly expressed across multiple solid tumors. AKTX-102 is designed to leverage Akari's proprietary PH1 spliceosome-modulating payload and a novel antibody construct to enable differentiated tumor cell killing and immune activation. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes express or implied forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, about the Company that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future performance of the Company. Actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Words such as "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "future," "opportunity" "will likely result," "target," variations of such words, and similar expressions or negatives of these words are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements regarding the ability of the Company to advance its product candidates for the treatment of cancer and the timing of a filing of an IND and commencement of a Phase I clinical trial. These statements are based on the Company's current plans, estimates and projections. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific. A number of important factors, including those described in this communication, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect future results and may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include, without limitation: the Company's need for additional capital; the potential impact of unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, costs, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition and losses on the future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of the business; risks related to global as well as local political and economic conditions, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; potential delays or failures related to research and/or development of the Company's programs or product candidates; risks related to any loss of the Company's patents or other intellectual property rights; any interruptions of the supply chain for raw materials or manufacturing for the Company's product candidates, including as a result of potential tariffs; the nature, timing, cost and possible success and therapeutic applications of product candidates being developed by the Company and/or its collaborators or licensees; the extent to which the results from the research and development programs conducted by the Company, and/or its collaborators or licensees may be replicated in other studies and/or lead to advancement of product candidates to clinical trials, therapeutic applications, or regulatory approval; uncertainty of the utilization, market acceptance, and commercial success of the Company's product candidates; risks related to competition for the Company's product candidates; and the Company's ability to successfully develop or commercialize its product candidates. While the foregoing list of factors presented here is considered representative, no list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no, and hereby disclaims any, obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release except as required by law. Investor Relations Contact JTC Team, LLC Jenene Thomas 908-824-0775 [email protected]