“The first head-to-head preclinical comparison of AVA6103 and Enhertu,a marketed ADC that targets HER2, demonstrates that AVA6103 shows better antitumor activity vs.Enhertu, w.deep,durable responses delivered by dose dense regimen in FOCUS-01 trial.” #AVCT https://t.co/CxX7179RfR
One major limitation of ADCs is that the target needs to efficiently internalize the drug.
Here, the idea is different: instead of taking the drug into the cell, the payload is released at the cell surface. In FAP-targeted models, this approach resulted in higher tumour drug exposure and greater antitumour activity than conventional internalization-dependent conjugates. The same strategy also worked with PD-L1.
Still preclinical, but if successfully translated, many targets previously considered unsuitable for drug conjugates because of poor internalization could become targetable.
https://t.co/IJ6rIv9H08
There it is again. Pancreatic cancer. This time picked up by a US investment firm.
WHY is #AVCT heading to a pancreatic cancer focussed conference this weekend….?
We’re presenting the FOCUS-01 trial design and new preclinical data for AVA6103 (FAP-Exd) at the AACR Conference on Pancreatic Cancer.
https://t.co/baUM7yaam8
#PancreaticCancer#preCISION#AVCT#NextGenLoading
We’re delighted to see #AVCT win this award.
Many congratulations to @coughlin582 and her team @avacta.
It is of course no surprise given the recent proving of preCISION as a platform.
A reminder Novartis paid Myricx ~240p equivalent for a preclinical biotech.
Deal(s) follow.
#AVCT gets a few mentions (released 43 mins ago).
"Recent Key Developments - Europe & Global Clinical Development
✅ September 2026: Avacta reported clinical proof of mechanism for AVA6103, its second-generation FAP-activated peptide-drug conjugate. Phase 1 data showed controlled release of exatecan for days after dosing, with plasma PK closely matching preclinical modelling. Avacta also reported that the program tolerated an exatecan payload level 50% above the maximum tolerated dose reported for conventional exatecan."
"Leading pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis and Eli Lilly and Company are strengthening their positions through targeted radioligand therapies, peptide-based drug delivery platforms and expanding oncology pipelines."
"Avacta Therapeutics - Tempus AI Precision-Development Collaboration
Avacta is using its collaboration with Tempus AI to connect multimodal clinical and tumor data with development of its pre|CISION® PDC platform. The collaboration provides access to data from more than 200,000 patients and is being used to characterize FAP biology and identify patient populations most likely to benefit from FAP-targeted therapies. Avacta subsequently used the analysis to select tumor types for the AVA6103 clinical program."
"Avacta Therapeutics - Clinical Proof of Mechanism for AVA6103
In September 2026, Avacta reported early clinical proof of mechanism for AVA6103. Through the first three dose levels, the company reported controlled release of exatecan lasting for days after dosing and a dose level 50% above the maximum tolerated dose of conventional exatecan while maintaining the reported safety profile. These findings provide early human evidence for the platform's controlled-release approach."
"R&D & Technological Advancements
Tumor-Microenvironment-Activated PDCs
A major technical shift is toward conditional release, where the peptide component remains associated with the payload during circulation and releases the active drug after encountering a tumor-specific enzyme or biological condition. Avacta's pre|CISION platform, for example, uses FAP activity in the tumor microenvironment to trigger payload release."
"Sustained-Release PDC Architecture
AVA6103 is being developed around a sustained-release mechanism rather than simply delivering a conventional cytotoxic payload to the tumor. Avacta's 2026 clinical work is testing whether this approach can maintain tumor exposure while reducing systemic exposure associated with free exatecan."
"AI-Assisted Peptide Design and Patient Selection
AI is entering the PDC development process at two different levels. Decoy Therapeutics uses machine learning within its IMP3ACTTM platform to design and optimize peptide conjugates, while Avacta uses Tempus AI's clinical and molecular datasets to identify tumor populations with relevant FAP and biomarker characteristics."
https://t.co/qztcvvgvwl
Endpoints News is highly respected and considered one of the most influential, trusted news authorities in the biopharmaceutical industry. That’ll do #AVCT
Delighted to see #AVCT mentioned in the EndpointsNews round up. AVA6103 data this week were received well. Team are thrilled with the progress. FOCUS-01 Trial continues to escalate. #NextGenLoading#LetsDoThis
https://t.co/l5JZGbQLh7
Here you will meet a number of folks on our team and understand the motivations behind their amazing work. Pleased to bring you our Wow Moments at #AVCT#NextGenLoading#LetsDoThis
Ask a scientist why they stay in oncology and you will usually hear about a "wow moment". The people behind pre|CISION® share theirs, from the first tumor to plasma data to a new molecule from idea to IND in 12 months. Watch the video here: https://t.co/yQYPRuyU6Y #AVCT
In episode 16 of the R&D Spotlight, the team discusses initial clinical data for AVA6103, pre|CISION® controlled-release exatecan, with two key clinical findings demonstrating proof of mechanism.
https://t.co/eDiCI7vNc6 #NextGenLoading#AVCT
Discussion w the senior BD leaders at big pharma and one surprising point made is that more than one said that they are focused on earlier stage and are comfortable with clinical risk. They don’t seem to be shaken up by avidity/$NVS recent post deal setback. “In BD, risk is your friend. If you don’t take risk. You’ll pay what others think it’s worth” talking about transacting phase 2 or earlier, pre readout $XBI $IBB
Avacta today announced the appointment of the seasoned biotech executive Mr. Mats Blom as a member of its Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee. https://t.co/Ii54pm5io3 #AVCT
4 separate speaking engagement from the Avacta team, plus several posters from investigators, is not pointing towards a poor data mitigation strategy is it. The only questions are what do they release now, and just how good is it. Company in a v strong position.
#avct