Aarvik Therapeutics Showcases Novel ADC Molecules Based On MUTTA™ and AQUALINK™ Platforms at AACR 2026

Key Terms

antibody-drug conjugates medical

A class of targeted cancer medicines that combine a lab-made antibody (which finds and sticks to specific markers on tumor cells) with a powerful cell-killing drug linked together so the toxic payload is delivered directly to the tumor. Think of it like a guided missile that reduces collateral damage compared with traditional chemotherapy; for investors, success or failure of these drugs drives clinical, regulatory and commercial value and can sharply affect a biotech company’s prospects and stock price.

adc medical

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is a targeted cancer medicine that pairs an antibody that recognizes specific markers on tumor cells with a potent cell-killing drug, connected so the toxic payload is delivered directly to the cancer. For investors, ADCs matter because successful ADCs can improve patient outcomes and reduce side effects compared with traditional chemotherapy, shaping clinical trial success, regulatory approval chances, commercial demand, and a company’s valuation much like a guided missile versus a general bomb.

tetravalent adc medical

A tetravalent ADC is a targeted cancer therapy made by linking a cell-killing drug to an antibody that has four binding points instead of the usual two, allowing it to attach more strongly or to more sites on a tumor cell. Think of it as a delivery van with extra cargo hooks that can carry a lethal payload precisely to a cancer cell, which can boost effectiveness or change side effects; for investors, that affects a drug’s potential market value, clinical success chances, manufacturing complexity, and regulatory risk.

in vitro medical

In vitro describes laboratory tests performed on cells, tissues, or biological molecules outside a living body—literally “in glass,” such as in test tubes or dishes. For investors, in vitro results are an early sign that a drug or technology has a desired effect under controlled conditions, but they don’t guarantee it will work or be safe in animals or people; think of them as a prototype tested on a bench rather than in real-world use.

in vivo medical

In vivo describes tests or experiments performed inside a living organism, such as an animal or human, to observe how a drug, device or biological process behaves in a real, functioning body. Investors care because in vivo results reveal safety, effectiveness and possible side effects that lab tests cannot, much like road-testing a prototype car in traffic rather than only on a bench — outcomes can strongly influence regulatory approval, clinical success and a company’s valuation.

therapeutic window medical

The "therapeutic window" is the optimal range of a medication's dosage where it effectively treats a condition without causing harmful side effects. For investors, understanding this concept highlights the importance of balance—just as too little medication may be ineffective and too much can be dangerous, financial strategies or investments need to be carefully managed within safe limits to achieve desired results without undue risk.

linker-payloads technical

Linker-payloads are the chemical piece of a targeted therapy that combines the active drug (payload) with the connector (linker) that attaches it to a delivery molecule. Like a timed-release capsule on a guided missile, the linker controls when and where the drug is released, so its design strongly affects safety, effectiveness, manufacturing complexity and regulatory approval — all key factors for investors assessing a drug’s commercial prospects.

tumor antigens medical

Tumor antigens are molecules on the surface or inside cancer cells that make them stand out from normal cells, like a unique flag or fingerprint. Investors care because these markers are the targets for diagnostics, vaccines and therapies—if a treatment can reliably find and bind a tumor antigen, it can be turned into a test or drug that may generate revenue and drive company value, while also affecting clinical and regulatory risk.

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aarvik Therapeutics, an innovative, ADC-focused biotechnology company dedicated to engineering precision medicines for cancer therapy, is pleased to announce that it will present two posters and a minisymposium talk at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026. These presentations display the breadth of Aarvik’s capabilities in the ADC space. The AACR Annual Meeting will take place from April 17-22, 2026, in San Diego, California.

Aarvik, along with collaborator ArriVent BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVBP), will present a poster titled “AV-P138-ADC (ARR-002), a novel MUC16/NaPi2b dual-target tetravalent ADC, for the treatment of ovarian and endometrial cancers” (Poster Number 2660). AV-P138-ADC, also known as ARR-002, was discovered by Aarvik as part of a research collaboration with ArriVent, who subsequently exclusively licensed the molecule and plans global development. AV-P138-ADC (ARR-002) is a novel, site-specifically-conjugated, dual-target tetravalent ADC that may overcome the limitations of conventional single-target or bivalent bispecific ADCs to potentially provide a safer and more effective treatment option for a broad spectrum of ovarian and endometrial cancer patients.

Poster Details

Date and Time: Monday April 20, 2026 from 9 AM - 12 PM PT
Session Category, Title: Clinical Research, Targeted Antigen Therapies and Immunity
Location: Section 49, Board 12, Number 2660

Further illustrating the power of Aarvik’s proprietary MUTTA™ platform, the oral presentation titled “MUlti-epitope Targeting Tetravalent Antibody (MUTTA™) platform for Developing NextGen ADCs with an Improved Therapeutic Window” (Abstract Presentation Number 6758) will demonstrate in vitro and in vivo validation of multi-target MUTTA™ ADCs and their improved therapeutic window compared to single-target ADCs, as well as the broad applicability of the MUTTA™ platform across several tumor antigens.

Minisymposium Details

Date and Time: Tuesday April 21, 2026 from 2:30 – 4:30 PM PT
Session Category, Title: Clinical Research, Targeted Therapy: Data Driven Approaches and Novel Drugs

Aarvik will also present a poster titled “Exatecan Payload-Based Antibody-Drug Conjugates with a Short Hydrophilic beta-Glucuronidase Cleavable Linker” (Poster Number 5757). This poster will demonstrate data on one of the novel linker-payloads engineered utilizing Aarvik’s proprietary AQUALINK™ platform that is designed to develop next generation ADCs with superior hydrophilic properties.

Poster Details

Date and Time: Tuesday April 21, 2026 from 2 – 5 PM PT
Session Category, Title: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics, Multi-Axis Antineoplastic Agents
Location: Section 14, Board 15, Number 5757

“We are pleased to present data at AACR 2026 resulting from Aarvik’s deep expertise in engineering proprietary multispecific antibodies, linkers and payloads through Aarvik’s MUTTA™ and AQUALINK™ platforms,” said Jagath Reddy Junutula, PhD, Co-founder, President and CEO of Aarvik Therapeutics. “These presentations showcase the success that Aarvik continues to demonstrate as it relentlessly pursues novel therapies for hard-to-treat cancer indications through research and innovation.”

“Aarvik continues to generate exciting data from the MUTTA™ and AQUALINK™ platforms,” said Paul Polakis, PhD, Aarvik Fellow and Scientific Advisory Board member. “Aarvik’s approach, along with the other new approaches in the ADC field overall, can result in novel therapies for patients with cancer.”

About Aarvik Therapeutics

Aarvik Therapeutics combines its unique, proprietary modular MUTTA™ (MUlti-epitope Targeting Tetravalent Antibody) and AQUALINK™ platforms with multiple target mechanisms to develop novel molecules with an improved therapeutic index for oncology targets. Backed by the extensive scientific, research, development and business expertise of its founders, Board, SAB and team members, Aarvik Therapeutics is applying its vision and passion to create transformational benefit for cancer patients.

For additional information, visit www.aarviktx.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317376935/en/

Media Contact

Reva Raghupathi, PhD, MBA

Email: contact@aarviktx.com

Investor Contact

Pradeep Fernandes

Email: contact@aarviktx.com

Source: Aarvik Therapeutics