Adagene’s Muzastotug (ADG126) to be Highlighted in Two Presentations at the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA

Rhea-AI Summary

Adagene (Nasdaq: ADAG) announced that muzastotug (ADG126), a masked anti-CTLA-4 antibody, will be highlighted in two poster presentations at the AACR Annual Meeting in San Diego, April 17-22, 2026.

Presentations are scheduled April 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM PT in Poster Sections 50 and 51 (Poster Board 14), covering a Ph1b evaluation in MSS colorectal cancer and phase 1b/2 Morpheus Liver study results in unresectable or metastatic HCC.

Key Figures

AACR 2026 dates: April 17–22, 2026 Session time: April 20, 2026, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM Poster section (CRC study): Section 51, Board 14 +5 more

8 metrics

AACR 2026 dates April 17–22, 2026 AACR Annual Meeting schedule in San Diego

Session time April 20, 2026, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM Poster sessions for muzastotug presentations

Poster section (CRC study) Section 51, Board 14 Phase 1b MSS colorectal cancer combination study

Poster section (HCC study) Section 50, Board 14 Morpheus Liver hepatocellular carcinoma study

Abstract number (CRC) CT083 ADG126+pembrolizumab+fruquintinib MSS colorectal cancer abstract

Abstract number (HCC) CT054 Morpheus Liver muzastotug combination arm abstract

Current price $3.91 Pre-news trading level vs 52-week high $4.5791

Price change 24h -3.39% Move ahead of AACR poster announcement

Market Reality Check

Price: $3.99 Vol: Volume 255,160 is at 1.16...

normal vol

$3.99 Last Close

Volume Volume 255,160 is at 1.16x the 20-day average of 220,323 shares. normal

Technical Shares at $3.91 are trading above the 200-day MA of $2.13 and 14.61% below the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

ADAG fell 3.39% while momentum-screened biotech peers like FATE, BMEA, and TCRX ...

3 Up

ADAG fell 3.39% while momentum-screened biotech peers like FATE, BMEA, and TCRX moved up. One close peer, ZNTL, also issued AACR poster news, suggesting company-specific reactions rather than a uniform sector move.

Common Catalyst Multiple oncology biotechs are announcing AACR 2026 poster presentations, but price reactions appear idiosyncratic.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 17 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 17	Investor conferences	Neutral	+1.2%	Planned participation in two healthcare investor conferences with webcasts.
Jan 23	Business update	Positive	+22.7%	Cash position of $74.5M and 2026 objectives focused on muzastotug.
Dec 16	Fast Track status	Positive	+13.8%	FDA Fast Track designation for muzastotug plus pembrolizumab in MSS CRC.
Nov 13	Licensing deal	Positive	+1.7%	Licensing agreement with Third Arc Bio for two masked CD3 T cell engagers.
Oct 31	Clinical milestone	Positive	-7.3%	First patient dosed in randomized Phase 2 dose-optimization study of muzastotug.

Pattern Detected

ADAG has typically shown positive price reactions to regulatory, partnership, and strategic updates, with occasional divergence on clinical trial milestone news.

Recent Company History

Over the last six months, Adagene highlighted investor conference participation on Feb 25, 2026 and Mar 9, 2026, a business update on Jan 23, 2026 citing $74.5M in cash and 2026 objectives centered on muzastotug, and an FDA Fast Track designation for muzastotug on Dec 16, 2025. It also signed a Third Arc Bio licensing deal on Nov 13, 2025 and dosed the first patient in a randomized Phase 2 muzastotug study on Oct 31, 2025. Today’s AACR posters fit into this ongoing clinical and regulatory story for muzastotug.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-10-31

Adagene has an effective Form F-3 resale registration filed on Oct 31, 2025 covering up to 10,625,000 ordinary shares or 8,500,000 ADSs issuable upon conversion of 1,062,500 Series A Non-Voting Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares. The company is not selling securities under this prospectus and will receive no proceeds; sales would be by a selling shareholder.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights two AACR 2026 poster presentations for muzastotug, covering a Phase 1b ...

Analysis

This announcement highlights two AACR 2026 poster presentations for muzastotug, covering a Phase 1b MSS colorectal cancer combination regimen and Phase 1b/2 results in unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. These updates build on prior milestones, including FDA Fast Track designation and initiation of a randomized Phase 2 study. Investors may watch for depth of efficacy and safety data, as well as how these results support the broader development path previously outlined for muzastotug.

Key Terms

hepatocellular carcinoma, phase 1b/2, first-in-human

3 terms

hepatocellular carcinoma medical

"patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)"

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of primary liver cancer, arising from the main functional cells of the liver. For investors it matters because its serious health impact drives demand for diagnostic tests, treatments and long-term care; progress in trials or approvals can change a drugmaker’s revenue outlook much like a successful product launch can reshape a company’s future.

phase 1b/2 medical

"Results from the phase 1b/2 Morpheus Liver study in patients"

Phase 1b/2 is a combined early-stage human study that first checks a drug’s safety and side effects in a small group and then expands to test whether it shows signs of working in patients. Think of it as a product test that first confirms it’s safe to use, then looks for early evidence of benefit; positive results can significantly reduce clinical risk and increase a company’s value, while negative results raise the opposite.

first-in-human medical

"Session Title: First-in-Human Phase I Clinical Trials"

A first-in-human study is the initial test of a new drug, medical device, or therapy in people to check safety, side effects and appropriate dosing. It matters to investors because it marks a major development milestone: successful early human testing can reduce scientific and regulatory uncertainty, much like moving a prototype from the workshop to a real-world test drive, and often affects a company’s valuation and funding prospects.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SAN DIEGO and SUZHOU, China, March 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adagene Inc. (“Adagene or the Company”) (Nasdaq: ADAG), a company transforming the discovery and development of novel antibody-based therapies, today announced that muzastotug will be highlighted in two poster presentations at this year’s AACR Meeting, taking place April 17-22 in San Diego, CA.

The following abstracts have been selected for presentation at AACR 2026:

Title: Ph1b evaluation of ADG126 (muzastotug, an anti-CTLA-4 masking antibody) pembrolizumab (Pembro) IO doublet in combination with fruquintinib (Fruq) in advanced and metastatic microsatellite stable colorectal cancer
Session Title: Phase I Clinical Trials in Progress
Session Start: April 20, 2026, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Location: Poster Section 51
Poster Board Number: 14
Abstract Presentation Number: CT083

Title: Results from the phase 1b/2 Morpheus Liver study in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Muzastotug (ADG126: masked anti-CTLA-4 Ab) combination arm
Session Title: First-in-Human Phase I Clinical Trials
Session Start: April 20, 2026, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Location: Poster Section 50
Poster Board Number: 14
Abstract Presentation Number: CT054

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, muzastotug (ADG126), is a masked, anti-CTLA-4 SAFEbody with FDA Fast Track designation that targets a unique epitope of CTLA-4 in regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment. Muzastotug is currently in Phase 1b/2 and Phase 2 clinical studies in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy, particularly focused on microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic 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/multi-specific T-cell engagers.

For more information, please visit: https://investor.adagene.com.
Follow Adagene on WeChat, LinkedIn and X.

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
LifeSci Advisors
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com

FAQ

When will Adagene (ADAG) present muzastotug (ADG126) at AACR 2026?

Adagene will present muzastotug on April 20, 2026 during AACR poster sessions. According to the company, both abstracts are scheduled for April 20, 2026, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time in Poster Sections 50 and 51.

What topics will the ADG126 posters cover at AACR 2026?

The posters cover a Ph1b IO doublet trial in MSS colorectal cancer and the phase 1b/2 Morpheus Liver study in HCC. According to the company, one abstract reports ADG126 with pembrolizumab and fruquintinib; the other reports combination-arm results in unresectable or metastatic HCC.

Where exactly can attendees find Adagene's poster presentations at AACR 2026?

Adagene's posters will be in Poster Sections 50 and 51 at Poster Board Number 14. According to the company, both presentations list Poster Board 14 and will be displayed during the April 20, 2026 poster sessions from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT.

What is muzastotug (ADG126) being evaluated for in the AACR presentations?

Muzastotug is being evaluated as a masked anti-CTLA-4 antibody in combination therapies for solid tumors. According to the company, presentations include a Ph1b study in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer and combination-arm results in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Which clinical trials of ADG126 are reported at AACR 2026?

Two trials are reported: a Phase 1b evaluation in MSS colorectal cancer and the phase 1b/2 Morpheus Liver study in HCC. According to the company, both abstracts were selected for poster presentation at AACR 2026 on April 20.

How can investors and researchers use the ADG126 AACR presentations for due diligence?

The posters provide early clinical data and combination-treatment context for ADG126 that may inform investment and research views. According to the company, the presentations summarize Phase 1b and phase 1b/2 combination-arm results relevant to oncology development programs.