Adagene Appoints Immuno-Oncology Pioneer, Axel Hoos, M.D., Ph.D., as Executive Advisor
Adagene (Nasdaq: ADAG) has appointed renowned immuno-oncology pioneer Dr. Axel Hoos as Executive Advisor. Dr. Hoos, former CEO of Scorpion Therapeutics and creator of the term 'Immuno-Oncology', brings extensive experience including the development of YERVOY®, the first FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor.
The appointment comes as Adagene advances its innovative antibody pipeline targeting CTLA-4, including ADG116 for enhanced T-reg depletion and ADG126 featuring a masked CTLA-4 binder designed for improved efficacy and reduced toxicity. Dr. Hoos highlighted the potential of these programs to expand CTLA-4 targeting in cancer immunotherapy, particularly in cold tumors like MSS CRC where current immunotherapies show limited effectiveness.
[ "Appointment of highly experienced immuno-oncology pioneer Dr. Axel Hoos, former CEO of Scorpion Therapeutics ($2.5B acquisition)", "Development of innovative CTLA-4 targeting antibodies with potential for broader therapeutic applications", "Advanced technology platform (SAFEbody™) showing promise in expanding treatment to new cancer populations", "Strategic timing of appointment coinciding with ADG126's key clinical development phase" ]Adagene (Nasdaq: ADAG) ha nominato il rinomato pioniere dell'immuno-oncologia, Dr. Axel Hoos, come Executive Advisor. Il Dr. Hoos, ex CEO di Scorpion Therapeutics e con un ruolo chiave nello sviluppo di YERVOY®, il primo inibitore del checkpoint immunitario approvato dalla FDA, apporta una vasta esperienza clinica e scientifica.
La nomina arriva mentre Adagene accelera lo sviluppo della sua pipeline di anticorpi mirati a CTLA-4, tra cui ADG116 per una migliore deplezione delle T-reg e ADG126, che presenta un legante CTLA-4 mascherato progettato per aumentare l'efficacia riducendo la tossicità. Il Dr. Hoos ha evidenziato il potenziale di questi programmi per ampliare l'impiego del targeting CTLA-4 nell'immunoterapia oncologica, specialmente in tumori ‘freddi’ come il CRC MSS, dove le terapie attuali hanno efficacia limitata.
- Nomina di un pioniere esperto in immuno-oncologia, ex CEO di Scorpion Therapeutics (acquisizione da 2,5 Mld $)
- Sviluppo di anticorpi innovativi contro CTLA-4 con potenziale applicativo più ampio
- Piattaforma tecnologica avanzata (SAFEbody™) che mostra promettenti possibilità di estendere i trattamenti a nuove popolazioni oncologiche
- Tempismo strategico della nomina, in concomitanza con una fase clinica cruciale per ADG126
Adagene (Nasdaq: ADAG) ha designado al reconocido pionero en inmuno-oncología, Dr. Axel Hoos, como Executive Advisor. El Dr. Hoos, ex CEO de Scorpion Therapeutics y contribuyente clave en el desarrollo de YERVOY®, el primer inhibidor de punto de control inmunitario aprobado por la FDA, aporta una amplia experiencia clínica y científica.
El nombramiento se produce mientras Adagene impulsa su innovadora cartera de anticuerpos dirigidos a CTLA-4, incluyendo ADG116 para una mayor depleción de T-reg y ADG126, que cuenta con un ligando CTLA-4 enmascarado diseñado para mejorar la eficacia y reducir la toxicidad. El Dr. Hoos subrayó el potencial de estos programas para ampliar el enfoque sobre CTLA-4 en la inmunoterapia del cáncer, especialmente en tumores fríos como el CRC MSS, donde las inmunoterapias actuales son poco eficaces.
- Nombramiento de un pionero con amplia experiencia en inmuno-oncología, ex CEO de Scorpion Therapeutics (adquisición de 2.500 M$)
- Desarrollo de anticuerpos innovadores dirigidos a CTLA-4 con potencial para aplicaciones terapéuticas más amplias
- Plataforma tecnológica avanzada (SAFEbody™) que muestra promesas para ampliar tratamientos a nuevas poblaciones con cáncer
- Momento estratégico del nombramiento, coincidiendo con una fase clínica clave de ADG126
Adagene (Nasdaq: ADAG)는 면역종양학의 저명한 선구자 Dr. Axel Hoos를 Executive Advisor로 임명했습니다. Dr. Hoos는 Scorpion Therapeutics의 전 CEO이자 FDA 승인 첫 면역 체크포인트 억제제인 YERVOY® 개발에 기여한 경력을 보유하고 있습니다.
이번 임명은 Adagene가 CTLA-4를 표적하는 혁신적 항체 파이프라인을 진전시키는 가운데 이뤄졌습니다. 여기에는 T-reg 고갈을 강화하는 ADG116과 효능 향상 및 독성 감소를 위해 마스킹된 CTLA-4 결합체를 특징으로 하는 ADG126이 포함됩니다. Dr. Hoos는 이러한 프로그램들이 특히 MSS CRC와 같은 '콜드' 종양에서 현재 면역치료의 한계를 극복하며 CTLA-4 표적화 적용을 확대할 잠재력이 있다고 강조했습니다.
- 광범위한 경력을 지닌 면역종양학 선구자 임명, Scorpion Therapeutics 전 CEO(25억 달러 인수)
- 더 넓은 치료 응용 가능성을 갖춘 혁신적 CTLA-4 표적 항체 개발
- 새로운 암 환자군으로 치료 범위를 넓힐 가능성을 보이는 첨단 기술 플랫폼(SAFEbody™)
- ADG126의 주요 임상 개발 단계와 맞물린 전략적 임명 시기
Adagene (Nasdaq: ADAG) a nommé le pionnier de l'immuno‑oncologie, Dr. Axel Hoos, au poste d'Executive Advisor. Le Dr. Hoos, ancien CEO de Scorpion Therapeutics et ayant participé au développement de YERVOY®, le premier inhibiteur de point de contrôle immunitaire approuvé par la FDA, apporte une vaste expérience clinique et scientifique.
Cette nomination intervient alors qu'Adagene fait progresser sa pipeline d'anticorps innovants ciblant CTLA‑4, notamment ADG116 pour une meilleure déplétion des T‑reg et ADG126, doté d'un ligand CTLA‑4 masqué conçu pour améliorer l'efficacité tout en réduisant la toxicité. Le Dr. Hoos a souligné le potentiel de ces programmes pour élargir le ciblage de CTLA‑4 en immunothérapie du cancer, notamment dans les tumeurs « froides » comme le CRC MSS où les immunothérapies actuelles sont peu efficaces.
- Nomination d'un pionnier expérimenté en immuno‑oncologie, ancien CEO de Scorpion Therapeutics (acquisition à 2,5 Mds $)
- Développement d'anticorps innovants ciblant CTLA‑4 avec un potentiel d'applications thérapeutiques plus larges
- Plateforme technologique avancée (SAFEbody™) promettant d'étendre les traitements à de nouvelles populations cancéreuses
- Timing stratégique de la nomination, coïncidant avec une phase clinique clé pour ADG126
Adagene (Nasdaq: ADAG) hat den angesehenen Immun‑Onkologie‑Pionier Dr. Axel Hoos als Executive Advisor berufen. Dr. Hoos, ehemaliger CEO von Scorpion Therapeutics und beteiligt an der Entwicklung von YERVOY®, dem ersten von der FDA zugelassenen Immun-Checkpoint-Inhibitor, bringt umfassende klinische und wissenschaftliche Erfahrung mit.
Die Berufung erfolgt, während Adagene seine innovative Antikörper‑Pipeline gegen CTLA‑4 vorantreibt, darunter ADG116 zur verstärkten T‑reg-Depletion und ADG126 mit einem maskierten CTLA‑4‑Binder, der auf verbesserte Wirksamkeit bei reduzierter Toxizität abzielt. Dr. Hoos betonte das Potenzial dieser Programme, CTLA‑4‑Targeting in der Krebsimmuntherapie zu erweitern – insbesondere bei ‚kalten‘ Tumoren wie MSS CRC, in denen aktuelle Immuntherapien nur begrenzt wirksam sind.
- Berufung eines erfahrenen Immun‑Onkologie‑Pioniers, ehemaliger CEO von Scorpion Therapeutics (2,5 Mrd. $ Übernahme)
- Entwicklung innovativer CTLA‑4‑gerichteter Antikörper mit Potenzial für breitere therapeutische Anwendungen
- Fortschrittliche Technologieplattform (SAFEbody™), die vielversprechend scheint, Behandlungen auf neue Krebspopulationen auszuweiten
- Strategisches Timing der Berufung, zeitgleich mit einer entscheidenden klinischen Entwicklungsphase von ADG126
- None.
- CTLA-4 remains a challenging target with historically narrow therapeutic windows
- Current immunotherapies show limited effectiveness in cold tumors, indicating significant development challenges ahead
SAN DIEGO and SUZHOU, China, Sept. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adagene Inc. (“Adagene”) (Nasdaq: ADAG), a company transforming the discovery and development of antibody-based therapies, today announced the appointment of Dr. Axel Hoos as Executive Advisor.
“Adagene is advancing the field of Immuno-Oncology with its pipeline of innovative antibodies centered around CTLA-4, a master-regulator of T-cell responses. This includes ADG116 to differentially engage CTLA-4 for greater T-reg depletion, and ADG126 to mask the CTLA-4 binder (ADG116) until it reaches the tumor microenvironment aiming for an enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity profile. The design of these antibodies may allow a broader utility of CTLA-4 targeting in cancer immunotherapy” said Dr. Hoos. “CTLA-4 is a proven but notoriously difficult target. Most next-generation programs have not been able to overcome the narrow therapeutic window thus requiring novel designs. With Adagene’s programs the benefit/risk ratio of CTLA-4 targeting may favorably shift and allow treatment of new populations such as cold tumors like MSS CRC, where current immunotherapies have little to no effect.”
“Dr. Hoos is an icon in immuno-oncology—both as the creator of the term and a driving force behind the clinical development of YERVOY® (Ipilimumab), the first FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor,” said Peter Luo, CEO of Adagene. “We’re honored to welcome him to our outstanding team of Executive Advisors. His leadership comes at a pivotal moment, as we advance ADG126 through a key turning point in clinical development and continue to expand our SAFEbody™ pipeline powered by our innovative masking technology platform. We look forward to his invaluable guidance in clinical development of anti-CTLA-4 therapy as we work to redefine the future of precision immunotherapy.”
From 2021 to 2024 Dr. Axel Hoos served as CEO of Scorpion Therapeutics, which was acquired by Eli Lilly in 2025 for up to
Prior to GSK, Dr. Hoos was the Global Medical Lead in Immunology/Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) where he and his team developed YERVOY® (Ipilimumab), the first immune checkpoint inhibitor drug, and created the term Immuno-Oncology to characterize the interplay of the immune system and cancer in immunotherapy drug development.
Dr. Hoos received his M.D. in Medicine from Heidelberg University, and his Ph.D. in Molecular Oncology from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). He trained in general surgery at the Technical University of Munich and as a fellow in cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and is an alumnus of the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School.
About Adagene
Adagene Inc. (Nasdaq: ADAG) is a platform-driven, clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to transforming the discovery and development of novel antibody-based cancer immunotherapies. Adagene combines computational biology and artificial intelligence to design novel antibodies that address globally unmet patient needs. The company has forged strategic collaborations with reputable global partners that leverage its SAFEbody precision masking technology in multiple approaches at the vanguard of science.
Powered by its proprietary Dynamic Precision Library (DPL) platform, composed of NEObody™, SAFEbody®, and POWERbody™ technologies, Adagene’s highly differentiated pipeline features novel immunotherapy programs. The company’s SAFEbody technology is designed to address safety and tolerability challenges associated with many antibody therapeutics by using precision masking technology to shield the binding domain of the biologic therapy. Through activation in the tumor microenvironment, this allows for tumor-specific targeting of antibodies, while minimizing on-target off-tumor toxicity in healthy tissues.
Adagene’s lead clinical program, ADG126 (muzastotug), is a masked, anti-CTLA-4 SAFEbody that targets a unique epitope of CTLA-4 in regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment. ADG126 is currently in phase 1b/2 clinical studies in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy, particularly focused on Metastatic Microsatellite-stable (MSS) Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Validated by ongoing clinical research, the SAFEbody platform can be applied to a wide variety of antibody-based therapeutic modalities, including Fc empowered antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and bi/multispecific T-cell engagers.
For more information, please visit: https://investor.adagene.com.
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SAFEbody® is a registered trademark in the United States, China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the European Union.
Investor Contacts:
Raymond Tam
raymond_tam@adagene.com
Corey Davis, Ph.D.
LifeSci Advisors
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com
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