Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces "A Groundbreaking Approach to Treating Skin Cancer" in a Fireside Chat with Force Family Office
Rhea-AI Summary
Phio Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: PHIO) will participate in a virtual fireside chat with Force Family Office on March 18, 2026 at 4 PM EDT to discuss its INTASYL gene‑silencing approach to immuno‑oncology.
Key clinical updates: lead candidate PH‑762 is in a Phase 1b intratumoral program (22 patients treated), with no dose‑limiting toxicities or serious adverse events, an overall pathological response in cSCC of ~65% and an 85% pathological response (6 of 7) in the highest dose cohort. The company targets FDA engagement in Q2 2026 and reports cash to sustain operations into H1 2027.
Positive
- No dose‑limiting toxicities or serious adverse events across 22 treated patients
- Pathological response ~65% in cSCC across all dosing cohorts
- Highest‑dose cohort pathological response 85% (6 of 7 patients)
- Targeted FDA engagement for next‑stage development in Q2 2026
- Cash runway projected into H1 2027
Negative
- Small Phase 1b sample size: only 22 patients total
- Highest‑dose efficacy figure based on just 7 patients
- Program remains early‑stage (Phase 1b) with uncertain next‑stage outcomes
Market Reaction – PHIO
Following this news, PHIO has declined 3.17%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 13 alerts so far, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $1.22. This price movement has removed approximately $479K from the company's valuation.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus (15 min delayed). Upgrade to Silver for real-time data.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
The stock was down 6.4% while momentum peers like PHGE and SNSE also showed declines (scanner median about -8.0%), indicating broader biotech pressure rather than company-specific trading around this fireside chat announcement.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 10 | Investor presentation | Positive | +1.6% | Life Sciences Investor Forum presentation reviewing INTASYL platform and PH-762 data. |
| Mar 05 | Earnings update | Positive | -0.8% | 2025 results with PH-762 progress and cash of about $21M reported. |
| Mar 05 | Roadshow participation | Positive | +1.7% | Renmark virtual roadshow to discuss INTASYL platform and PH-762 progress. |
| Feb 19 | Leadership changes | Positive | -1.7% | Leadership alignment to support next-stage PH-762 and PH-894 development. |
| Feb 10 | Clinical safety update | Positive | +24.4% | SMC review of PH-762 Phase 1b showing strong responses and no DLTs. |
Stock often reacts positively to clinical and investor-relations updates, but responses to corporate/earnings news have been mixed with some divergences.
Over recent months, the company has repeatedly highlighted progress for PH-762, including Phase 1b data with strong pathological responses and no dose-limiting toxicities, along with multiple investor-facing presentations. Earnings and SEC filings on March 5, 2026 emphasized a strengthened balance sheet and cash runway into H1 2027. Today’s event-focused news continues that communication pattern, reinforcing the same PH-762 data and development timeline rather than introducing new clinical inflection points.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An effective resale shelf filed on November 20, 2025 covers up to 11,763,800 warrant shares held by existing stockholders. The company is not selling shares under this prospectus but could receive up to $24.5 million in cash upon full warrant exercise, which has been earmarked to support PH-762 development and working capital.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights continued outreach to investors via a fireside chat focused on PH-762, which has shown a 65% overall pathological response in cSCC and 85% in the highest-dose cohort, with no dose-limiting toxicities in 22 patients. The company is targeting FDA engagement in Q2 2026 and projects cash runway into the first half of 2027. Investors may watch for regulatory feedback, any trial design updates, and how communication efforts translate into future financings and clinical milestones.
Key Terms
sirna medical
intratumoral medical
cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma medical
merkel cell carcinoma medical
pathological response rate medical
immuno-oncology medical
fda regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Registration link below for Wednesday March 18, 2026 at 4 PM EDT
Phio invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts with an interest in the life sciences sector, to attend this virtual event
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2026) - Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: PHIO) is a clinical-stage siRNA biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics using its proprietary INTASYL® gene silencing technology to eliminate cancer. Phio announced today that Mr. Robert Bitterman, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Phio Pharmaceuticals will participate in a fireside chat with Steven Saltzstein, CEO, Force Family Office on Wednesday March 18, 2026.
"We are excited to participate in the fireside chat with Force Family Office and look forward to sharing the Phio story and why we believe INTASYL represents a differentiated approach to immuno-oncology," said Robert Bitterman, CEO and Chairman of Phio Pharmaceuticals.
DATE: Wednesday March 18, 2026
TIME: 4 PM EDT
REGISTRATION LINK: PHIO Pharma - Force Family Office
Recent Company Highlights
Phio's lead clinical candidate, PH-762, is being evaluated as an intratumoral therapy in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. In its Phase 1b trial, Phio has reported that 22 patients completed treatment across five dose-escalation cohorts, with no dose-limiting toxicities or serious adverse events. The Company has also reported a pathological response rate in cSCC across all dosing cohorts of approximately
Phio has indicated that FDA engagement regarding next-stage clinical development is targeted for the second quarter of 2026 and has reported cash and cash equivalents projected to sustain operations into the first half of 2027.
About Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: PHIO) is a clinical-stage siRNA biopharmaceutical company advancing its INTASYL® gene silencing technology focused on immuno-oncology therapeutics. Phio's INTASYL compounds are designed to enhance the body's immune cells to more effectively kill cancer cells. Phio's lead clinical program is an INTASYL compound, PH-762, that silences the PD-1 gene implicated in various forms of skin cancer. The Phase 1b trial (NCT# 06014086) is evaluating PH-762 for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. PH-762 is a potential non-surgical treatment for skin cancers.
For additional information, visit the Company's website, www.phiopharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "intends," "believes," "anticipates," "indicates," "plans," "expects," "suggests," "may," "would," "should," "potential," "designed to," "will," "ongoing," "estimate," "forecast," "target," "predict," "could" and similar references, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements, which include statements regarding the anticipated benefits of our INTASYL™ RNAi platform, the results from our ongoing clinical trials, our expectations that our cash runway will extend into the first half of 2027, our expectations regarding timing of FDA submissions intended to propose and seek guidance for next steps in clinical study design for PH-762, details regarding our planned non-clinical toxicology study, and our ability to support ongoing clinical development, operational requirements and strategic initiatives with the capital we currently have on hand, are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors, including, but not limited to, the impact to our business and operations by inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, recession fears, the development of our product candidates, results from our preclinical and clinical activities, our ability to execute on business strategies, our ability to develop our product candidates with collaboration partners, and the success of any such collaborations, the timeline and duration for advancing our product candidates into clinical development, the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, the success of our efforts to commercialize our product candidates if approved, our ability to manufacture and supply our product candidates for clinical activities, and for commercial use if approved, the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our technology platform, our ability to obtain future financing, market and other conditions and those risks identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the caption "Risk Factors" and in other filings the Company periodically makes with the SEC. Readers are urged to review these risk factors and to not act in reliance on any forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ from those contemplated by our forward-looking statements. Phio does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views, events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release, except as required by law.
About FORCE Family Office
FORCE works with Family Offices, Ultra High Net Worth Individuals, their Foundations, and Endowments by introducing them to leaders of privately held businesses at the capital acquisition stage and public companies looking for open market buyers. FORCE is constantly bringing unique opportunities and information to their community of investors. In addition, their elite peer-to-peer community brings family offices, UHNW individuals, endowments and foundations together, facilitating co-investment opportunities, information sharing, philanthropy, and networking.
CONTACTS:
Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Jennifer Phillips: jphillips@phiopharma.com
Corporate Affairs
Force Family Office
Harvey Briggs
608-361-8092
forcefamilyoffice.com
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288680
FAQ
When is Phio (PHIO) presenting with Force Family Office and how can I attend?
What are the Phase 1b results for PH‑762 reported by Phio (PHIO)?
How large was the highest‑dose cohort for PH‑762 and what was the response rate?
What is Phio's (PHIO) regulatory timeline for advancing PH‑762?
How long does Phio (PHIO) say its cash will sustain operations?
