MiNK Therapeutics and Memorial Sloan Kettering to Present Phase II Study of agenT-797 Combination in PD-1 Refractory Gastroesophageal Cancer at AACR 2026

MiNK Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INKT) will present Phase II data for agenT-797 combined with botensilimab and balstilimab in PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer at AACR 2026.

Rhea-AI Summary

MiNK Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INKT) will present Phase II data for agenT-797 combined with botensilimab and balstilimab in PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer at AACR 2026.

The investigator-initiated trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering evaluates immune reprogramming and treatment sequencing in checkpoint-refractory GEC; presentation is April 20, 2026, Poster Section 52, Abstract CT166.

Key Figures

Trial phase: Phase II AACR session time: April 20, 2026, 2:00–5:00 PM PT Shelf registration size: $150,000,000 +5 more

Trial phase

Phase II

agenT‑797 + BOT + BAL in PD‑1 refractory GEC

AACR session time

April 20, 2026, 2:00–5:00 PM PT

Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trials session

Shelf registration size

$150,000,000

S-3 filed November 7, 2025

ATM program size

$50,000,000

ATM under S-3 shelf with B. Riley Securities

Current ATM capacity

$6,641,284

Limit under General Instruction I.B.6 based on float

52-week high

$76

Pre-news 52-week trading range

52-week low

$6.34

Pre-news 52-week trading range

Market cap

$49,617,218

Pre-news equity value

Previous Clinical trial Reports

1 past event · Latest: Jan 08

Same Type 1 event

1. Jan 08

   Clinical trial initiation

   24h Move

   -1.7%

   Announced Phase 1 agenT‑797 trial in GvHD with non‑dilutive funding support.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

invariant natural killer t (inkt) cell, allo-inkt, checkpoint-refractory, pd-1 refractory, +4 more

8 terms

invariant natural killer t (inkt) cell medical

"pioneering allogeneic invariant natural killer T (allo-iNKT) cell therapies"

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a small, specialized type of immune cell that act like speedy first responders and coordinators: they quickly detect certain fat-based danger signals from infected or abnormal cells and release chemical messengers that shape the wider immune reaction. Investors watch them because drugs or vaccines that activate or suppress iNKT cells can change treatment outcomes for cancer, infections, and autoimmune diseases, and successes or failures in that research can significantly affect biotech valuations.

allo-inkt medical

"MiNK’s allo-iNKT cell therapy, in combination with botensilimab"

A donor-derived immune cell therapy made from invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells that can be manufactured ahead of time and given to many patients without using their own cells. Investors care because it represents an “off‑the‑shelf” approach to cell therapy—more like a mass-produced drug than a one-off custom treatment—which can lower manufacturing costs, speed distribution, and scale revenue if safety and effectiveness are proven, while still facing regulatory and commercialization risks.

checkpoint-refractory medical

"novel iNKT cell-based combinations in checkpoint-refractory disease"

Cancer described as "checkpoint-refractory" does not respond, or has stopped responding, to therapies that unblock the immune system’s natural brakes (so-called checkpoint inhibitor drugs). For investors, this signals a significant unmet medical need and a clear market opportunity: patients who are refractory often require different treatments or combination approaches, so successful new therapies or tests that predict or overcome resistance can change clinical outcomes and drive commercial value.

pd-1 refractory medical

"patients with PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer (GEC)"

PD-1 refractory describes cancer that no longer responds to drugs targeting the PD-1 pathway, a protein that helps tumors hide from the immune system. For investors, this matters because patients who stop benefiting from these frontline treatments create demand for new therapies, influence clinical trial design and success rates, and affect the commercial prospects and valuation of companies developing next‑line or combination treatments.

tumor microenvironment medical

"reprogram the tumor microenvironment and restore immune responsiveness"

The tumor microenvironment is the immediate area surrounding a cancer cell, made up of nearby cells, blood vessels, and support structures that influence how the cancer grows and spreads. It functions like a bustling neighborhood that can either help or hinder the tumor’s development. For investors, understanding changes in this environment can signal the effectiveness of treatments and potential shifts in a cancer-related market.

adaptive immunity medical

"bridge innate and adaptive immunity as an immune orchestrator"

Adaptive immunity is the part of the immune system that learns to recognize specific germs and builds lasting memory so the body can respond faster and stronger on future encounters; think of it as a security system that adds new “faces” to a trusted list. For investors, adaptive immunity matters because it underpins vaccines, long-term treatment strategies and clinical trial outcomes, which can affect the value and prospects of biotech and healthcare companies.

dual checkpoint modulation medical

"combined with dual checkpoint modulation in gastroesophageal cancer"

Dual checkpoint modulation is a medical strategy that targets two different “brakes” on the immune system at once to help it recognize and attack diseased cells, most often tumors. For investors, it matters because combining two immune controls can increase the chance of a stronger clinical effect or wider patient benefit, but also adds complexity, higher development cost, and potential safety or regulatory risks—so trial results and side‑effect profiles strongly drive commercial prospects.

immunotherapy medical

"multi-mechanistic immunotherapy regimen in patients with PD-1 refractory"

Treatment that uses or enhances the body’s immune system to detect and fight disease, most often cancers or chronic infections; think of it as training or arming the body’s own soldiers to find and destroy targets. It matters to investors because successful immunotherapies can lead to high-value drug approvals, recurring revenue from long-term treatments, and changes in competitive dynamics, while failures or safety issues in clinical trials can materially affect company valuations.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

• Study will highlight novel iNKT cell-based combinations in checkpoint-refractory disease
• Data expected to inform immune modulation, treatment sequencing strategy, and clinical durability of response

NEW YORK, April 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INKT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering allogeneic invariant natural killer T (allo-iNKT) cell therapies to restore immune balance and treat immune-mediated diseases and cancer, today announced that data from an investigator-initiated Phase II trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, evaluating agent-797, MiNK’s allo-iNKT cell therapy, in combination with botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL), will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, taking place April 17-22, 2026, in San Diego, CA.

The study evaluates this multi-mechanistic immunotherapy regimen in patients with PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer (GEC), an area of high unmet need where resistance to checkpoint inhibition remains a significant clinical challenge.

“This study represents one of the first clinical evaluations of an iNKT cell therapy combined with dual checkpoint modulation in gastroesophageal cancer and marks an important step in understanding how to re-engage the immune system in patients who have progressed on prior checkpoint therapy,” said Jennifer Buell, Ph.D., President and CEO of MiNK Therapeutics.

“These data build on the immune-modulating findings we reported last year and extend them into the clinical setting. agenT-797 is designed to bridge innate and adaptive immunity as an immune orchestrator, with the potential to reprogram the tumor microenvironment and restore immune responsiveness. We believe these data will provide important insights into how immune reprogramming and treatment sequencing can drive more durable outcomes in refractory cancers and inform the next generation of combination strategies.”

Presentation Details:

Abstract Title: A phase II study of agenT-797, botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL) in PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer (GEC)

Presenter: Samuel L. Cytyrn, MD; Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Session Name: Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trials

Date/Time: April 20, 2026 | 2:00–5:00 PM PT; 5:00-8:00 PM EDT

Poster Section: 52

Abstract No.: CT166

About MiNK Therapeutics

MiNK Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies and precision-targeted immune technologies. MiNK’s proprietary platform is designed to restore immune balance and drive cytotoxic responses across cancer, immune-mediated diseases, and pulmonary immune failure. MiNK’s lead candidate, agenT-797, is an off-the-shelf iNKT cell therapy currently in clinical development for GVHD, solid tumors, and severe pulmonary inflammation. With a scalable cryopreserved manufacturing process and differentiated biology bridging innate and adaptive immunity, MiNK is committed to developing next-generation immune reconstitution therapies. For more information, visit www.minktherapeutics.com or follow us on X @MiNK_iNKT.

About agenT-797

AgenT-797 is an allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapy that harnesses the dual power of innate and adaptive immunity. iNKTs function as “master regulators,” combining the cytotoxic capabilities of NK cells with T-cell–like antigen recognition and memory. This unique biology enables a robust, pathogen-agnostic immune response that can be directed against hard-to-treat tumors. Manufactured by MiNK Therapeutics in Lexington, MA, agenT-797 is a scalable, off-the-shelf product designed to provide accessible, transformative treatment options. In clinical trials, agenT-797 can bolster peripheral memory T-cell activation, enhance tumor infiltration, and potentially improve outcomes for patients with solid cancers (Cytryn et al. AACR IO 2024, Oncogene. 2024) and to combat inflammation in critically ill patients with severe respiratory pathology (Nature Communications. 2024).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the therapeutic potential, safety, and anticipated benefits of agenT-797; clinical trial design, timing, and enrollment; and MiNK’s broader development plans. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties detailed in MiNK’s most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. MiNK cautions investors not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.

Contacts:

Investor Contact: 917-362-1370 | investor@minktherapeutics.com
Media Contact: 781-674-4428 | communications@minktherapeutics.com

Source: MiNK Therapeutics

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What will MiNK Therapeutics (INKT) present about agenT-797 at AACR 2026?

MiNK will present Phase II data on agenT-797 combined with botensilimab and balstilimab in PD-1 refractory GEC. According to MiNK Therapeutics, the investigator-initiated trial examines immune reprogramming, sequencing, and clinical durability in checkpoint-refractory gastroesophageal cancer.

When and where is the MiNK (INKT) presentation on agenT-797 scheduled at AACR 2026?

The presentation is April 20, 2026, 2:00–5:00 PM PT (5:00–8:00 PM EDT) in Poster Section 52. According to MiNK Therapeutics, the session is titled Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trials and is part of the AACR Annual Meeting in San Diego.

Who is presenting the agenT-797 combination data for MiNK (INKT) at AACR 2026?

Samuel L. Cytyrn, MD, gastrointestinal medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, will present the data. According to MiNK Therapeutics, the abstract is investigator-initiated and reports on a Phase II study in PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer.

What patient population does the agenT-797 Phase II study (INKT) target?

The trial targets patients with PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer (GEC) who progressed on prior checkpoint therapy. According to MiNK Therapeutics, the study evaluates a multi-mechanistic immunotherapy regimen aiming to restore immune responsiveness in checkpoint-refractory disease.

What scientific questions does the agenT-797 presentation (INKT) aim to address at AACR 2026?

The presentation aims to inform immune modulation, treatment sequencing, and durability of response for iNKT-based combinations in refractory GEC. According to MiNK Therapeutics, data will explore how agenT-797 may reprogram the tumor microenvironment and re-engage the immune system.