TuHURA Biosciences develops immuno-oncology therapeutics designed to address resistance to cancer immunotherapies. Company news centers on its clinical-stage pipeline, including IFx-2.0, an innate immune agonist being studied as adjunctive therapy with Keytruda in advanced or metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma, and TBS-2025, a VISTA-inhibiting monoclonal antibody for mutNPM1 relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.
Recurring updates also cover the Delta Opioid Receptor technology used in immune-modulating antibody drug conjugates and antibody peptide conjugates targeting Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells. Other company developments include financial results, clinical operations leadership, investor-conference communications, financing arrangements and Nasdaq listing compliance matters.
TuHURA Biosciences (NASDAQ:HURA), a Phase 3 immune-oncology company, announced its participation in the 3rd Annual H.C. Wainwright BioConnect Investor Conference on May 20, 2025. CEO James A. Bianco will present the company overview, focusing on their IFx-Hu2.0 Phase 3 program and first-in-class bi-specific immune modulating ADCs and APCs targeting MDSCs.
The presentation will also cover Kineta's VISTA inhibiting monoclonal antibody program. TuHURA previously announced a definitive agreement to acquire Kineta (OTC Pink: KANT) on December 11, 2024, which includes rights to Kineta's KVA12123 antibody. The merger is expected to close in Q2 2025, subject to closing conditions.
TuHURA Biosciences (NASDAQ:HURA) and Kineta presented updated results from two clinical studies at the AACR Annual Meeting. The first study, VISTA-101, evaluated KVA12123 (anti-VISTA antibody) alone and with pembrolizumab in advanced solid tumors. At 1,000mg dose every two weeks, KVA12123 achieved >90% VISTA receptor occupancy with no dose-limiting toxicities across 41 total patients.
The second study focused on TuHURA's IFx-Hu2.0 in advanced melanoma patients who previously failed checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy. Three out of four heavily pre-treated patients achieved durable anti-tumor responses when rechallenged with CPI after IFx-Hu2.0 treatment. The therapy demonstrated increased T cell and B cell production with only mild Grade 1 and 2 adverse events.
TuHURA plans to initiate a Phase 3 trial in Merkel cell carcinoma and expects to close its merger with Kineta in Q2 2025, which includes acquiring rights to KVA12123.
TuHURA Biosciences (NASDAQ:HURA) announced two abstracts accepted for poster presentation at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago. The presentations will showcase:
1. Initial results from a Phase 1 study of KVA12123, an anti-VISTA antibody, both as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab for advanced solid tumors, presented by Kineta's CSO.
2. Mechanistic insights into IFx-Hu2.0 therapy responses in patients with prior anti-PD-1 therapy failure in advanced melanoma, presented by Moffitt Cancer Center scientists.
The company also referenced its previously announced definitive agreement from December 11, 2024, to acquire Kineta, including rights to KVA12123, through a merger expected to close in Q2 2025, subject to funding and other closing conditions.
TuHURA Biosciences (NASDAQ: HURA) has appointed Dr. Bertrand Le Bourdonnec as Executive Vice President, Head of Drug Discovery, Early Development, and Program Management. Dr. Le Bourdonnec brings a 20-year career in drug discovery with impressive achievements, including 12 pre-clinical/clinical candidates and 7 investigational new drug applications.
His expertise in Delta Opioid Receptor (DOR) biochemistry and pharmacology aligns perfectly with TuHURA's Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) and Antibody Peptide Conjugate (APC) technology platform. Notable achievements include developing first-in-class spirocyclic DOR agonists licensed to Pfizer and leading the benevopran program to positive Phase IIb results, which led to Adolor 's acquisition by Cubist Pharmaceuticals.
Previously, he served as Chief Scientific Officer at HDAX Therapeutics and VP roles at Deciphera Pharmaceuticals and Cubist Pharmaceuticals, demonstrating successful leadership in drug development across multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, pain, and neurodegenerative diseases.
TuHURA Biosciences (NASDAQ:HURA) reported its fiscal year 2024 results and corporate updates. The company plans to initiate enrollment in Phase 3 IFx-2.0 trial for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma in Q2 2025, conducted under Special Protocol Assessment Agreement with FDA. The trial will test IFx-2.0 as adjunctive therapy with Keytruda®.
Key financial highlights include R&D expenses of $13.3 million (up from $9.4 million in 2023) and G&A expenses of $4.3 million (slight increase from $4.1 million in 2023). The company raised $36 million in 2024 to fund operations through late Q4 2025.
Notable developments include:
- Planned acquisition of Kineta's Phase 2 ready VISTA inhibitor, expected to close in Q2 2025
- NASDAQ listing achievement via reverse merger
- Expansion of discovery team for immune modulating Antibody Drug/Peptide Conjugate Program