Agenus to Present BOT+BAL Long-Term Survival Data and Translational Research With agenT-797 in Colorectal Cancer at SITC 2026

Agenus (AGEN) will present two BOT+BAL research posters at the SITC Annual Meeting in Phoenix on November 7, 2026.

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LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Agenus Inc. (Nasdaq: AGEN), a leader in immuno-oncology innovation, today announced that two posters highlighting research on botensilimab (BOT), an Fc-enhanced multifunctional anti-CTLA-4 antibody, in combination with balstilimab (BAL), an anti-PD-1 antibody, have been accepted for presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place November 4-8, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The clinical poster will review the features of long-term survivors of refractory microsatellite-stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have been treated with BOT+BAL. A second poster will highlight translational research of BOT+BAL in combination with MiNK Therapeutics’ agenT-797 (iNKT cell therapy) with in a preclinical model of colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Presentation Details

Abstract Title: Clinical features of long-term survivors treated with next-generation anti-CTLA-4 (botensilimab) plus anti-PD-1 (balstilimab) in refractory microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer
Presenter: Anthony El-Khoueiry, MD.; USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:10 p.m. MST
Location: North Building, Lower Level, Exhibition Halls 4–5–6
Poster No.: 472

Abstract Title: AgenT-797, an allogeneic iNKT cell therapy, enables tumor-cell killing in a human organoid model of immune checkpoint inhibitor–refractory colorectal cancer liver metastases
Presenter: Shanmugarajan Krishnan, Ph.D., M.S., B.S.; Agenus Inc., Lexington, MA
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:10 p.m. MST
Location: North Building, Lower Level, Exhibition Halls 4–5–6
Poster No.: 270

About Agenus
Agenus is a leading immuno-oncology company targeting cancer with a comprehensive pipeline of immunological agents. The company was founded in 1994 with a mission to expand patient populations benefiting from cancer immunotherapy through combination approaches, using a broad repertoire of antibody therapeutics, adoptive cell therapies (through MiNK Therapeutics) and adjuvants. Agenus has robust end-to-end development capabilities, across commercial and clinical cGMP manufacturing facilities, research and discovery, and a global clinical operations footprint. Agenus is headquartered in Lexington, MA. For more information, visit www.agenusbio.com or @agenus_bio. Information that may be important to investors will be routinely posted on our website and social media channels.

About Botensilimab (BOT)

Botensilimab (BOT) is a human multifunctional, Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4 antibody designed to boost both innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune responses. Its novel design leverages mechanisms of action to extend immunotherapy benefits to “cold” tumors which generally respond poorly to standard of care or are refractory to conventional PD-1/CTLA-4 therapies and investigational therapies. Botensilimab augments immune responses across a wide range of tumor types by priming and activating T cells, reducing intratumoral regulatory T cells, activating myeloid cells and inducing durable memory responses.

Approximately 1,300 patients have been treated with botensilimab and/or balstilimab in phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials. Botensilimab alone, or in combination with Agenus’ investigational PD-1 antibody, balstilimab, has shown clinical responses across nine metastatic, late-line cancers. For more information about botensilimab trials, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Balstilimab (BAL)

Balstilimab is a novel, fully human monoclonal immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) designed to block PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) from interacting with its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. It has been evaluated in more than 900 patients to date and has demonstrated clinical activity and a favorable tolerability profile in several tumor types.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding its botensilimab and balstilimab programs, expected regulatory timelines and filings, and any other statements containing the words "may," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "hopes," "intends," "plans," "forecasts," "estimates," "will," “establish,” “potential,” “superiority,” “best in class,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the factors described under the Risk Factors section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2025, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Agenus cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Agenus undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements, other than to the extent required by law. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261002153709/en/

Investors
917-362-1370 | investor@agenusbio.com

Media
781-674-4422 | communications@agenusbio.com

Source: Agenus Inc.

Key Terms

anti-ctla-4 antibody medical

An anti-CTLA-4 antibody is a lab-made protein drug that binds to CTLA-4, a molecule on immune cells that acts like a brake on the body's infection- and tumor-fighting response. By blocking that brake, the antibody frees immune cells to attack cancer cells more vigorously—similar to taking off training wheels so the immune system can act more independently. Investors care because these drugs can drive large sales if proven safe and effective, but they also carry clinical trial, safety and regulatory risk that strongly affect a drug developer’s value.

anti-pd-1 antibody medical

An anti-PD-1 antibody is a lab-made protein drug that blocks a safety switch on certain immune cells, allowing them to recognize and attack cancer cells. Investors watch these drugs because trial results, approvals, or safety issues can rapidly change a biotech’s sales prospects and valuation — like cutting a car’s brake cable to free the engine, with big potential reward but also safety and regulatory risks.

microsatellite-stable medical

Microsatellite-stable describes tumors whose short, repeated stretches of DNA remain unchanged, meaning the cell’s internal “proofreader” is effectively catching copying errors. Investors care because this molecular trait affects which therapies and clinical trials are likely to work — some immunotherapies and targeted drugs perform differently in stable versus unstable tumors, influencing a drug’s market potential, trial success and regulatory path.

mcrc medical

Metastatic colorectal cancer is colorectal cancer that has spread from the colon or rectum to other parts of the body, most often the liver or lungs. For investors, it matters because developing treatments, diagnostic tests, or supportive care for this advanced stage can drive large clinical trials, regulatory decisions, and revenue potential—similar to how a product for a widespread, late-stage problem could reshape demand and company value.

inkt cell therapy medical

iNKT (invariant natural killer T) cell therapy uses a patient’s or donor’s specialized immune cells that can both recognize diseased cells and call other immune cells into action, often engineered or expanded in a lab and then given back to the patient. Investors care because it represents a targeted, high-cost biotherapy approach with the potential for large clinical benefits and commercial returns, but also carries significant development, safety and regulatory risks like other novel cell therapies.

immune checkpoint inhibitor medical

An immune checkpoint inhibitor is a type of medicine that helps the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. It works by blocking certain signals that cancer uses to hide from immune defenses, allowing the immune system to target tumors. This breakthrough has led to new cancer treatments, making immune checkpoint inhibitors an important area of growth and innovation in the healthcare industry.