TuHURA Biosciences received FDA Orphan Drug Designation for IFx-2.0 for the Treatment of Stage IIB to Stage IV Cutaneous Melanoma

Rhea-AI Summary

TuHURA Biosciences (NASDAQ:HURA) announced that the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to IFx-2.0 for treatment of stage IIB to stage IV cutaneous melanoma on February 2, 2026. The ODD was granted based on the company's prior Phase 1 data showing safety and clinical benefit in anti-PD1 refractory patients.

The designation provides seven years of market exclusivity, increased FDA engagement, certain tax credits, research grants, and an FDA user-fee waiver.

Positive

• FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation for IFx-2.0 in stage IIB-IV cutaneous melanoma
• Phase 1 data showed safety with no serious dose-limiting toxicities
• Phase 1 reported clinical benefit in patients refractory to anti-PD1 therapy
• ODD confers seven years of U.S. market exclusivity and regulatory support

Negative

• IFx-2.0 remains investigational and is currently in a Phase 3 study, not approved
• Company's ongoing Phase 3 targets Merkel cell carcinoma while ODD covers cutaneous melanoma

News Market Reaction – HURA

-3.03% 20.5x vol

24 alerts

-3.03% News Effect

+28.9% Peak Tracked

-29.2% Trough Tracked

-$1M Valuation Impact

$46M Market Cap

20.5x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, HURA declined 3.03%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +28.9% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -29.2% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 24 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $1M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $46M at that time. Trading volume was exceptionally heavy at 20.5x the daily average, suggesting significant selling pressure.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Disease stages: Stage IIB to Stage IV Phase 1 study: Phase 1 No serious DLTs: No serious dose limiting toxicities +3 more

6 metrics

Disease stages Stage IIB to Stage IV IFx-2.0 orphan designation in cutaneous melanoma

Phase 1 study Phase 1 Completed IFx-2.0/IFx-Hu2.0 melanoma trial supporting ODD

No serious DLTs No serious dose limiting toxicities Safety outcome from Phase 1 IFx-Hu2.0 melanoma study

Checkpoint refractory benefit Clinical benefit after anti-PD1 Patients refractory to anti-PD1 benefited upon rechallenge post IFx-Hu2.0

Market exclusivity 7 years Orphan Drug Designation benefits in the U.S.

Prevalence threshold <200,000 individuals U.S. patient population limit for orphan disease status

Market Reality Check

Price: $1.15 Vol: Volume 292,802 is slightl...

normal vol

$1.15 Last Close

Volume Volume 292,802 is slightly above the 20-day average of 276,176 shares. normal

Technical Shares at $0.5351 are trading well below the 200-day MA of $2.39 and near the 52-week low of $0.5264.

Peers on Argus

HURA is down 4.62% while key peers are mixed: IOBT, ONCY, PYXS are lower, AVTX i...

1 Up

HURA is down 4.62% while key peers are mixed: IOBT, ONCY, PYXS are lower, AVTX is slightly higher, and SKYE is notably higher. Only SKYE appears in momentum scans, moving up on clinical news, suggesting HURA’s move is stock-specific rather than a coordinated sector rotation.

Common Catalyst One peer (SKYE) reported positive clinical data, but there is no broad biotech or immuno-oncology theme clearly linking peer moves to HURA’s orphan drug designation.

Previous Clinical trial Reports

4 past events · Latest: Jun 24 (Positive)

Same Type Pattern 4 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jun 24	Phase 3 initiation	Positive	-7.1%	Started Phase 3 accelerated approval trial of IFx-2.0 in MCC under SPA.
May 05	Early-stage trial start	Positive	-0.5%	Initiated Phase 1b/2a IFx-Hu2.0 study in MCCUP with Keytruda combination.
Apr 28	Clinical data update	Positive	-3.2%	Presented melanoma response data after IFx-Hu2.0 and CPI rechallenge at AACR.
Nov 25	Development pathway	Positive	-10.6%	Outlined Phase 3 registration plan in MCC and disclosed significant financing.

Pattern Detected

Recent clinical trial announcements have generally been positive but were followed by negative price reactions, indicating a pattern of selling on good clinical news.

Recent Company History

Over the past year, HURA has issued several clinically focused updates tied to its IFx platform and Merkel cell carcinoma program. These included outlining and then initiating a Phase 3 accelerated approval trial for IFx-2.0, launching a Phase 1b/2a MCCUP study, and presenting encouraging melanoma data for IFx-Hu2.0. Despite positive scientific and clinical signals, each of these clinical trial releases saw share price declines within 24 hours, suggesting a history of market skepticism toward similar milestones. Today’s orphan drug designation in advanced melanoma continues this clinical narrative.

Historical Comparison

+5.4% avg move · In the past year, HURA released 4 clinical-trial updates tagged similarly, with an average move of ±...

clinical trial

+5.4%

Average Historical Move clinical trial

In the past year, HURA released 4 clinical-trial updates tagged similarly, with an average move of ±5.36%. Today’s -4.62% reaction to another positive clinical milestone fits this established pattern of post-news weakness.

Historical same-tag events show a progression from outlining a Phase 3 registration strategy to initiating Phase 3 in MCC, adding a Phase 1b/2a MCCUP study, and generating melanoma response data for IFx-Hu2.0. Today’s orphan drug designation in cutaneous melanoma aligns with this ongoing expansion of the IFx platform into multiple tumor settings.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf · $250,000,000

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-11-03

$250,000,000 registered capacity

TuHURA has an active Form S-3 mixed shelf filed on Nov 3, 2025, registering up to $250,000,000 of securities, including an ATM prospectus supplement for up to $50,000,000 of common stock. A 424B3 filing on Nov 25, 2025 reflects usage of the shelf for a resale registration, indicating established capacity for future primary or ATM issuances alongside this positive regulatory milestone.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement expands IFx-2.0’s regulatory profile with FDA orphan drug designation in stage IIB...

Analysis

This announcement expands IFx-2.0’s regulatory profile with FDA orphan drug designation in stage IIB to IV cutaneous melanoma, building on Phase 1 safety and clinical benefit data in anti-PD1–refractory patients. It complements an ongoing Phase 3 program in Merkel cell carcinoma and reinforces TuHURA’s immuno-oncology strategy. At the same time, investors must monitor balance-sheet and listing risks highlighted in recent SEC filings, alongside an active $250,000,000 mixed shelf and ATM capacity that could be used to fund development.

Key Terms

orphan drug designation, checkpoint inhibitor therapy, anti-pd1, phase 3, +2 more

6 terms

orphan drug designation regulatory

"has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to IFx-2.0 for the treatment"

Orphan drug designation is a special status given to medicines developed to treat rare diseases affecting only a small number of people. This status often provides benefits like faster approval processes and financial incentives, making it more attractive for companies to develop these drugs. For investors, it signals potential for exclusive market rights and reduced competition, which can impact the drug’s profitability.

checkpoint inhibitor therapy medical

"patients refractory to checkpoint inhibitor therapy (anti-PD1) experienced"

A cancer treatment that helps the body's immune system recognize and attack tumors by blocking signals that act like brakes on immune cells; think of it as releasing a safety restraint so immune cells can pursue cancer more aggressively. It matters to investors because clinical trial results, approval decisions, and safety profiles for these drugs can dramatically affect a drugmaker's revenue prospects, valuation and wider market expectations for oncology portfolios.

anti-pd1 medical

"therapy (anti-PD1) experienced clinical benefit upon subsequent anti-PD1 based"

Anti-PD1 are medicines—usually engineered antibodies—that block a protein on immune cells called PD‑1, which acts like a brake preventing the immune system from attacking diseased cells. By releasing that brake, these drugs help the body’s immune system recognize and kill cancer cells; their clinical results, safety profile, and regulatory approvals strongly influence potential sales, partnerships and a drug maker’s valuation, so investors watch trial and approval news closely.

phase 3 medical

"a Phase 3 immuno-oncology company developing novel therapeutics"

Phase 3 is the late-stage clinical testing step for a new drug or medical treatment, where the product is given to large groups of patients to confirm effectiveness, monitor side effects, and compare it to standard care. Successful Phase 3 results are often the final scientific hurdle before regulators decide on approval and market launch—like passing a final exam before graduation—and can sharply change a company's valuation and future revenue prospects.

new drug application regulatory

"and a waiver of the New Drug Application user fee."

A new drug application is a formal request submitted to government regulators seeking approval to market a new medicine. It is like a detailed proposal that shows the drug has been tested for safety and effectiveness. For investors, receiving approval signals that the drug may soon become available for sale, potentially leading to revenue growth and impacting the company's value.

user fee regulatory

"and a waiver of the New Drug Application user fee."

A user fee is a charge that a government agency or regulator imposes on a company for a specific service, like reviewing a product application or providing ongoing oversight. For investors it matters because these fees raise a company’s costs and can affect the timing and speed of approvals or services—think of it as a maintenance or processing toll that can influence profitability and how quickly a product reaches the market.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:HURA) ("TuHURA" or the "Company"), a Phase 3 immuno-oncology company developing novel therapeutics to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy, today announced that the U.S Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to IFx-2.0 for the treatment of stage IIB to stage IV cutaneous melanoma.

The ODD designation was based on data from the Company's previously completed Phase 1 study of IFx-2.0, results of which were published in the journal Molecular Therapeutics and entitled: "First-in-Human Stage II/IV Melanoma Clinical Trial of Immune Priming Agent IFx-Hu2.0," authored by Dr. Joseph Markowitz, Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. The study demonstrated IFx-Hu2.0 to be safe with no serious dose limiting toxicities in addition to demonstrating that patients refractory to checkpoint inhibitor therapy (anti-PD1) experienced clinical benefit upon subsequent anti-PD1 based treatment.

Dr. James Bianco, President and Chief Executive Officer of TuHURA Biosciences, said, "Our current focus with IFx-2.0 is targeting completion of enrollment in our Phase 3 study of IFx-2.0 in combination with Keytruda® for the first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma. We believe receiving ODD in advanced cutaneous melanoma demonstrates not only the significant need for new treatments in skin cancer but also highlights IFx-2.0 as a potential new therapeutic approach in this patient population."

Orphan drug designation provides seven years of market exclusivity benefits, increased engagement and assistance from the FDA, tax credits for certain research, research grants and a waiver of the New Drug Application user fee. The FDA's Office of Orphan Products Development grants orphan status to drugs intended for the safe and effective treatment, diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases or conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States.

About TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. 
TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HURA) is a Phase 3 immuno-oncology company developing novel technologies to overcome primary and acquired resistance to cancer immunotherapy, two of the most common reasons cancer immunotherapies fail to work or stop working in the majority of patients with cancer.

TuHURA's lead innate immune agonist, IFx-2.0, is designed to overcome primary resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. TuHURA has initiated a single randomized placebo-controlled Phase 3 registration trial of IFx-2.0 administered as an adjunctive therapy to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) compared to Keytruda® plus placebo in first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

In addition to its innate immune agonist product candidates, TuHURA acquired TBS-2025 in its merger with Kineta Inc. on June 30, 2025. TBS-2025 is a VISTA inhibiting mAb moving into Phase 2 development in mutNPM1 r/r AML. In addition, TuHURA is leveraging its Delta Opioid Receptor technology to develop first-in-class, bi-specific antibody drug conjugates and antibody peptide conjugates targeting Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells to inhibit their immune-suppressing effects on the tumor microenvironment to prevent T cell exhaustion and acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies.

For more information, please visit www.tuhurabio.com and connect with TuHURA on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Investor Contact: 
Monique Kosse
Gilmartin Group
Monique@GilmartinIR.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tuhura-biosciences-received-fda-orphan-drug-designation-for-ifx-2-0-for-the-treatment-of-stage-iib-to-stage-iv-cutaneous-melanoma-302675770.html

SOURCE TuHURA Biosciences, Inc.

FAQ

What did TuHURA (HURA) announce about IFx-2.0 on February 2, 2026?

TuHURA announced FDA Orphan Drug Designation for IFx-2.0 in stage IIB–IV cutaneous melanoma. According to the company, the ODD was granted based on prior Phase 1 safety and clinical benefit data in anti-PD1 refractory patients.

What benefits does Orphan Drug Designation provide for HURA's IFx-2.0?

Orphan Drug Designation provides seven years of U.S. market exclusivity and regulatory support. According to the company, it also enables tax credits, research grants, increased FDA engagement, and a waiver of the NDA user fee.

What did TuHURA say about IFx-2.0 Phase 1 results in the February 2026 announcement?

The company reported Phase 1 results showing safety with no serious dose-limiting toxicities and clinical benefit. According to TuHURA, those results were published in Molecular Therapeutics and supported the ODD application.

How does the February 2, 2026 ODD affect TuHURA's clinical program and timeline for HURA shareholders?

ODD improves regulatory support but does not change current trial status; IFx-2.0 remains investigational. According to the company, the focus remains on completing enrollment in an ongoing Phase 3 study in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Does the FDA Orphan Drug Designation mean IFx-2.0 is approved for melanoma for HURA investors?

No, Orphan Drug Designation does not equal approval; IFx-2.0 is still investigational. According to TuHURA, the ODD grants development and regulatory incentives but not marketing approval.

What is the significance of IFx-2.0 showing benefit in anti-PD1 refractory patients for HURA (HURA)?

Showing clinical benefit in anti-PD1 refractory patients suggests potential utility in resistant tumors, which is clinically meaningful. According to the company, Phase 1 data demonstrated such benefit and supported the FDA's ODD grant.