BriaCell and Receptor.AI to Collaborate on AI Driven Small Molecule Cancer Therapeutics

Rhea-AI Summary

BriaCell (Nasdaq: BCTX) announced that its subsidiary BriaPro initiated a research collaboration with Receptor.AI on Nov. 20, 2025 to design isoform-selective small-molecule kinase inhibitors for multiple cancer indications.

The partnership will combine Receptor.AI's AI-driven small-molecule discovery platform for target assessment, hit identification, and lead optimization with BriaPro's proprietary technology to expand BriaPro's small-molecule pipeline and aim to accelerate development of kinase inhibitors with improved selectivity, ADMET constraints, and potential to enhance immune-mediated tumor targeting.

Insights

Biotech Drug Discovery Strategist

AI-driven collaboration extends BriaCell into small-molecule kinase discovery, potentially accelerating targeted inhibitor programs.

BriaCell's subsidiary BriaPro will pair proprietary oncology programs with Receptor.AI's AI-enabled molecular design to pursue isoform-selective kinase inhibitors. The business mechanism links computational hit identification and lead optimization to an existing pipeline, aiming to shorten early discovery loops and improve candidate triage without relying solely on traditional screening.

Dependencies and risks include successful integration of Receptor.AI's models with BriaPro's biological data, clarity on who retains key IP and development rights, and the usual ADMET and translational challenges that remain even after AI-led optimization. Statements emphasize isoform-level selectivity and ADMET constraints but do not disclose timelines, milestones, or financial terms.

Watch for concrete deliverables such as nominated preclinical leads, explicit IP/licensing terms, and a timeline for candidate selection; expect initial signals within a typical discovery window of months to a few years. This collaboration is a constructive strategic expansion from cell therapy into small molecules and merits monitoring for tangible milestones that validate the partnership's technical and commercial value.

• Collaboration uses Receptor AI's platform to design highly selective anti-cancer kinase inhibitor products for BriaPro, a BriaCell subsidiary
• Partnership expected to expand BriaPro's small-molecule pipeline
• Aims to accelerate the development of next generation therapeutics with improved efficacy and safety
  
  

PHILADELPHIA and VANCOUVER, British Columbia and BOSTON, Nov. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXW, BCTXZ) (TSX: BCT) (“BriaCell” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, has announces that its subsidiary, BriaPro Therapeutics Corp. (“BriaPro”), has initiated a research collaboration with Receptor.AI, an AI-driven drug discovery company, to design anti-cancer isoform-selective kinase inhibitors for multiple cancer indications.

The collaboration will integrate AI-driven molecular design expertise and BriaPro’s proprietary technology to expand BriaPro’s small-molecule pipeline and accelerate the development of selective kinase inhibitors that may enhance immune-mediated tumor targeting and improve cancer patient outcomes.

“This partnership marks an important step in BriaCell’s strategic expansion beyond cell-based immunotherapy into small-molecule discovery, reinforcing its mission to deliver differentiated and complementary approaches to cancer treatment,” stated Dr. William V. Williams, President and CEO of BriaCell and BriaPro.

“Kinase selectivity, down to the isoform level, remains one of the hardest optimization problems in oncology,” said Dr. Alan Nafiev, CEO and Founder of Receptor.AI. “This collaboration is about bringing disciplined, AI-first molecular design and rigorous ADMET constraints to BriaCell’s oncology programs, enhancing precision and translational confidence from the earliest stages of discovery.”

Receptor.AI has developed a multiplatform ecosystem for AI-enabled drug discovery, integrating small-molecule, peptide, and induced-proximity technologies into a unified framework that accelerates therapeutic innovation across modalities. Within the collaboration, Receptor.AI will harness its small-molecule discovery platform to drive target assessment, hit identification, and lead optimization, with a particular focus on achieving precise isoform selectivity among closely related kinases.

About BriaCell Therapeutics Corp.

BriaCell is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care. More information is available at https://briacell.com/.

About BriaPro Therapeutics Corp.

BriaPro Therapeutics Corp. is a pre-clinical stage immunotherapy company developing binding agents and proteins designed to enhance the ability of the body’s own cancer-fighting cells to eliminate tumors. BriaPro is a wholly owned subsidiary of BriaCell Therapeutics Corp.

About Receptor.AI

Receptor.AI is a next-generation TechBio company transforming drug discovery through AI-native infrastructure and deep modality expertise. With a validated track record across more than 40 discovery programs, the company integrates machine learning, physics-based modeling, and automated decision-making into a unified R&D platform. Receptor.AI drives innovation across small molecules, peptides, and induced-proximity therapeutics, partnering with global biopharma and academic institutions to unlock challenging targets and accelerate the path from concept to clinic. More information is available at https://www.receptor.ai.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words.

Forward-looking statements, including those about statements relating to the anticipated impact and results of Receptor.AI’s collaboration with BriaCell, including any further commercial outcomes from the partnership. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis, under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form, and under “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available under the Company’s profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov . Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information

Company Contact:
William V. Williams, MD
President & CEO
1-888-485-6340
info@briacell.com

Investor Relations Contact:
investors@briacell.com

FAQ

What did BriaCell (BCTX) announce on Nov. 20, 2025 about BriaPro?

BriaCell said its subsidiary BriaPro began a research collaboration with Receptor.AI to design isoform-selective kinase inhibitors for multiple cancer indications.

How will Receptor.AI contribute to BriaPro's small-molecule pipeline for BCTX?

Receptor.AI will use its AI-driven small-molecule discovery platform for target assessment, hit identification, and lead optimization focused on isoform selectivity and ADMET constraints.

What is the strategic goal of the BriaCell and Receptor.AI collaboration for BCTX shareholders?

The collaboration aims to expand BriaPro's small-molecule pipeline and accelerate development of selective kinase inhibitors complementary to BriaCell's immunotherapy programs.

Does the announcement mention clinical data or timelines for BCTX drug candidates?

No; the announcement describes a research collaboration and discovery objectives but does not provide clinical readouts or development timelines.

What technical challenge is the collaboration targeting for BriaPro (BCTX)?

The partners are targeting isoform-level kinase selectivity, described as a difficult optimization problem in oncology, to improve precision and translational confidence.