Oncology peptide coverage on Peptide News Digest spans peptide-drug conjugates (Bicycle Therapeutics, Avacta, Lirum), peptide cancer vaccines (autogene cevumeran, ELI-002, EVX-01, GLSI-100), macrocyclic peptides for undruggable targets (Circle Pharma's CID-078), peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (Lutathera, Pluvicto), and the early-stage AI-discovered peptide work in cancer.
The AACR 2026 conference produced the highest concentration of new readouts on this site. Notable threads: BT5528 in EphA2 solid tumors, CID-078 in RB1-deficient tumors, multiple peptide-vaccine readouts, and Verismo's KIR-CAR program.
Stories here cover trial readouts, AACR and ASCO presentations, and partnership deals. See #cancer for the broader thread and the named indication tags (#breast-cancer, #pancreatic-cancer, #melanoma) for narrower scopes.
Pathos AI announced Wednesday August 5, 2026 a $2.09 billion licensing deal with Jiangsu Alphamab Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. for a TROP2/HER3 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). The deal extends the ADC modality deal-making cycle that has produced substantial cross-border capital deployment across 2025-2026, notably including Merck's Chugai ADC franchise deal, AbbVie's 2023 ImmunoGen acquisition, the ongoing Pfizer-Seagen (Seattle Genetics) commercial integration, and the emerging peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) franchise developments. The Pathos AI-Alphamab deal complements the July 6 Novartis-Myricx $1.5 billion peptide-drug-conjugate alliance (upfront + biobucks) covered on the site's July digest. TROP2 (trophoblast cell surface antigen 2) is a well-validated oncology target with existing approved ADCs including AstraZeneca-Daiichi Sankyo's Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan) for triple-negative breast cancer; HER3 is a differentiated payload delivery target with limited approved-drug precedent. The bispecific ADC combines the two payload-targeting mechanisms in a single molecule with the goal of expanding tumor-cell-targeting selectivity and reducing off-target toxicity relative to single-target ADCs. Pathos AI is a US oncology-focused biotech backed by AI-driven target identification and drug-discovery platforms.
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) reported Q2 2026 earnings Tuesday August 4, 2026 with revenue of $15 billion and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.77, beating analyst expectations. The company raised the midpoint of its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $60.5-62.5 billion, up from a previous $59.5-62.5 billion range. The guidance update reflected approximately $1.5 billion in upside from non-COVID products, partially offset by a reduction in the company's forecast for COVID-19 treatments (Paxlovid and Comirnaty) now pegged at approximately $4 billion for the year. Adjusted R&D expenses increased 12% operationally to $2.7 billion, driven by increased spending on oncology and obesity product candidates. CEO Albert Bourla said in the earnings call that the obesity program is advancing with substantial momentum and that the oncology portfolio remains a source of strength. Shares rose approximately 1.86% to $25.50 following the announcement. Pfizer's obesity program includes danuglipron (oral GLP-1) and multiple next-generation candidates advanced through the Metsera acquisition; the Metsera monthly-injectable ultra-long-acting GLP-1 candidate produced up to 11% weight loss over 28 weeks in Phase 2b data reported earlier in 2026.
ResearchAndMarkets published an April 21 PDC market landscape report counting six peptide-drug conjugates currently in Phase III trials and approximately 96 in development across the global pipeline. Lutathera remains the only FDA-approved PDC after Pepaxto's withdrawal, though Pepaxto retains EMA and MHRA approval. The report flags 34% year-over-year growth in clinical-trial registrations for peptide-based oncology compounds, with the majority targeting solid tumors previously considered peptide-resistant. Phase 2 ADC peptide-linker data released in early 2026 shows tumor-specific payload delivery rates above 85% — nearly double the 2023 benchmark — driven by the proteolytic-stability work that lets linker peptides survive serum peptidase degradation long enough to reach solid tumors.
Pfizer announced that data from more than 40 company-sponsored, investigator-sponsored, and collaborative research abstracts will appear at ASCO 2026 in Chicago (May 29–June 2). The slate spans Pfizer's diverse oncology pipeline including peptide-drug conjugate programs, bispecific T-cell engagers, and antibody-drug conjugates. Combined with previously announced ASCO 2026 acceptances from Bicycle Therapeutics, BriaCell, Greenwich LifeSciences, BioVaxys, and Immutep, the meeting is shaping up as the most peptide-and-immuno-conjugate-heavy ASCO in recent memory — building on the foundation laid at AACR 2026 in San Diego.
The AACR Annual Meeting 2026 concluded April 22 in San Diego after six days featuring unprecedented peptide-oncology visibility. Macrocyclic peptide drug conjugate (PDC) pipelines across Circle Pharma, Bicycle Therapeutics, Oncopeptides, and SignaBlok drew regulatory and venture attention; peptide-targeting radioligand data from Perspective Therapeutics, Bicycle, and AlphaGen signaled maturation of the peptide-radioconjugate subcategory. AACR Advances sessions throughout the meeting featured targeted protein degradation and novel tumor-selective modalities, with peptide-based approaches competing directly with antibody drug conjugates in Phase 1/2 readouts.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 opens April 17 at the San Diego Convention Center, running through April 22 with 9,500+ sessions, 575 clinical abstracts, 56 clinical trial plenary talks, and 393 late-breaking posters. Multiple peptide biotechs — including Bicycle Therapeutics, Circle Pharma, SignaBlok, and Oncolytics Biotech — are presenting new clinical and preclinical data on macrocyclic peptides, bicyclic peptide drug conjugates, and peptide-based immunotherapies.
A comprehensive review in Journal of Nanobiotechnology positions peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) as the next evolution beyond antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for targeted cancer therapy. Six PDCs are now in Phase III clinical trials with approximately 96 in development, offering advantages in tissue penetration, lower immunotoxicity, and more accessible manufacturing than ADCs.