Whitehawk Therapeutics to Highlight its Next-Generation ADC Portfolio at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026

Rhea-AI Summary

Whitehawk Therapeutics (Nasdaq: WHWK) will present three preclinical abstracts at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego, April 17–22, 2026. Presentations cover ADC programs HWK-016 (oral minisymposium), HWK-007 (poster) and HWK-206 (poster).

Preclinical highlights include tumor regressions at low single-digit mg/kg doses, a highest non-severely toxic dose (HNSTD) of 60 mg/kg in non-human primates, and low circulating free payload tied to a proprietary carbon-bridge cysteine repairing linker-payload.

Key Figures

HNSTD: 60 mg/kg AACR 2026 dates: April 17–22, 2026 HWK-016 presentation number: 1324 +2 more

5 metrics

HNSTD 60 mg/kg Highest non-severely toxic dose in non-human primate studies for Whitehawk ADCs

AACR 2026 dates April 17–22, 2026 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026 timeframe

HWK-016 presentation number 1324 AACR minisymposium oral presentation number for HWK-016

HWK-007 poster number 4439 AACR 2026 poster identifier for HWK-007

HWK-206 poster number 4440 AACR 2026 poster identifier for HWK-206

Market Reality Check

Price: $3.81 Vol: Volume 116,751 is below 2...

low vol

$3.81 Last Close

Volume Volume 116,751 is below 20-day average 169,282 (relative volume 0.69x). low

Technical Trading above 200-day MA of 2.29 with pre-news price at 3.95, about 11.83% below 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

WHWK was modestly down (-0.26%) while close peers showed mixed moves: IFRX and S...

1 Up

WHWK was modestly down (-0.26%) while close peers showed mixed moves: IFRX and SRZN down, IPA and ORMP up, PTHS flat. Only one momentum-screen peer (TCRX) appeared and moved up, opposite WHWK, supporting a stock-specific reaction.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 12 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 12	Earnings and pipeline	Positive	-2.7%	Reported strong cash, FY 2025 results, and active ADC Phase 1 recruitment.
Feb 26	Investor conferences	Positive	-1.5%	Announced participation in three early March 2026 investor conferences.
Feb 18	Conference presentation	Positive	+2.0%	Disclosed CEO presentation at Oppenheimer healthcare conference highlighting ADC focus.
Jan 08	IND clearance	Positive	+1.5%	Announced FDA IND clearance for HWK-007 and IND submission for HWK-016.
Dec 01	Executive hire	Positive	-3.4%	Appointed experienced oncology CMO to support ADC clinical development plans.

Pattern Detected

Recent news often saw muted or negative price reactions even to constructive updates, with more divergences than alignments.

Recent Company History

Over the last six months, Whitehawk has transitioned into a focused ADC company, with IND clearance for HWK-007 and an IND submission for HWK-016, plus plans to file an IND for HWK-206 in mid-2026. Earnings on Mar 12, 2026 highlighted cash of $145.7M and active Phase 1 recruitment. Multiple conference and investor appearances in February and March 2026 emphasized the ADC strategy. Today’s AACR preclinical presentations on HWK-007, HWK-016, and HWK-206 fit this trajectory of showcasing the next-generation ADC portfolio.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Whitehawk’s advancement of its ADC platform, presenting comprehensive p...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Whitehawk’s advancement of its ADC platform, presenting comprehensive preclinical proof-of-concept for HWK-007, HWK-016, and HWK-206 at AACR 2026, including tolerability up to an HNSTD of 60 mg/kg in non-human primates. It follows recent milestones such as IND clearance and active Phase 1 recruitment. Investors may watch for subsequent clinical readouts, funding developments, and how these preclinical findings translate into human efficacy and safety data over time.

Key Terms

antibody drug conjugate, adc, xenograft, non-human primate, +4 more

8 terms

antibody drug conjugate medical

"applying advanced technologies to established tumor biology to efficiently deliver improved antibody drug conjugate (ADC) cancer treatments"

An antibody drug conjugate is a targeted medical treatment that combines a special antibody with a powerful drug, allowing precise delivery of the medicine directly to cancer cells or other harmful cells in the body. For investors, it represents a sophisticated approach to therapy that could improve treatment effectiveness and reduce side effects, potentially leading to significant growth opportunities in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

adc medical

"next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) portfolio at the American Association for Cancer Research"

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is a targeted cancer medicine that pairs an antibody that recognizes specific markers on tumor cells with a potent cell-killing drug, connected so the toxic payload is delivered directly to the cancer. For investors, ADCs matter because successful ADCs can improve patient outcomes and reduce side effects compared with traditional chemotherapy, shaping clinical trial success, regulatory approval chances, commercial demand, and a company’s valuation much like a guided missile versus a general bomb.

xenograft medical

"tumor regressions in xenograft studies at low single-digit mg/kg doses"

A xenograft is biological tissue or cells taken from one species and placed into another, most commonly human tumor cells implanted into laboratory animals to study disease or test drugs. Investors watch xenograft results because they serve like a controlled dress rehearsal for a therapy: positive responses in these models can de‑risk programs, attract funding or partnerships, and influence the likelihood and timing of clinical trials and regulatory milestones.

non-human primate medical

"in non-human primate studies, Whitehawk's ADCs demonstrated a high tolerability"

Non-human primates are animals from the primate family—such as monkeys and apes—excluding humans. Investors should care because these animals are often used in late-stage preclinical testing for drugs and vaccines; their biological similarity to humans makes test results more predictive, so outcomes can materially affect a program’s safety profile, regulatory chances, timeline and cost—like using advanced crash-test dummies that better predict real-world results.

highest non-severely toxic dose medical

"with a highest non-severely toxic dose (HNSTD) of 60 mg/kg"

The highest non-severely toxic dose is the largest amount of a drug or chemical given in safety testing that does not produce serious or life‑threatening harm to test subjects. It helps researchers set initial human doses, design clinical trials, and judge whether a candidate treatment has a usable safety margin; for investors, it signals potential regulatory risk, development cost and the likelihood a product can advance without major toxicity setbacks. Think of it as the top setting you can use before the machine starts to break.

linker-payload medical

"driven by Whitehawk's proprietary "carbon-bridge cysteine repairing" linker-payload"

A linker-payload is the combined system in targeted drug therapies where a chemical 'linker' attaches a potent drug molecule (the payload) to a targeting carrier, such as an antibody. Investors care because the linker's strength and how reliably it releases the payload determine a therapy's safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing complexity—much like a delivery strap and timed lock affect whether a fragile package arrives intact and opens at the right address.

biparatopic medical

"a next-generation, biparatopic, SEZ6-targeting ADC with novel bioconjugation"

A biparatopic molecule is a therapeutic protein or antibody designed to attach to two different spots on the same target, like a pair of hands grabbing different parts of the same object. For investors, this can mean a drug with stronger, more specific binding and a higher chance of overcoming resistance or needing lower doses, which may improve clinical performance, competitive differentiation, and the commercial value of a candidate.

bioconjugation technical

"a next-generation, MUC16-targeting ADC with novel bioconjugation and linker–payload technology"

Bioconjugation is the process of chemically linking a therapeutic or diagnostic molecule to a biological carrier, such as a protein or antibody, so the cargo is delivered precisely to a desired cell or tissue. For investors, it matters because this “targeted delivery” approach can make treatments more effective and safer, create high-value specialty products with complex manufacturing and patent protection, and carry distinct regulatory and commercial risks and rewards.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Whitehawk Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: WHWK), a clinical-stage oncology therapeutics company applying advanced technologies to established tumor biology to efficiently deliver improved antibody drug conjugate (ADC) cancer treatments, today announced it will present three preclinical abstracts, including an oral minisymposium and two posters, highlighting its next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) portfolio at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026, taking place April 17–22, 2026, in San Diego, CA.

"For the first time, we will present comprehensive preclinical proof-of-concept for our three ADC programs, HWK-007, HWK-016 and HWK-206," said David Dornan, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Whitehawk Therapeutics. "These data will highlight the optimized ADC design features aimed at delivering a differentiated ADC profile with the goal of improving outcomes for cancer patients."

Whitehawk's comprehensive preclinical abstracts demonstrate a potential best-in-class therapeutic index among next-generation TOP1i-based ADCs. These data showed high potency with tumor regressions in xenograft studies at low single-digit mg/kg doses, and in non-human primate studies, Whitehawk's ADCs demonstrated a high tolerability with a highest non-severely toxic dose (HNSTD) of 60 mg/kg. Underpinning these results is one of the lowest reported free payload in circulation, driven by Whitehawk's proprietary "carbon-bridge cysteine repairing" linker-payload. 

Presentation details:

HWK-016 – MUC16-Targeted ADC (Minisymposium Oral Presentation)
Title: Preclinical assessment of HWK-016, a next-generation, MUC16-targeting ADC with novel bioconjugation and linker–payload technology
Presenter: David Dornan, PhD, CSO, Whitehawk Therapeutics
Session: Advanced Antibody, Conjugate, and Targeted Therapeutic Platforms
Presentation Number: 1324
Date & Time: April 19, 2026, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

HWK-007 – PTK7-Targeted ADC (Poster Presentation)
Title: Preclinical assessment of HWK-007, a next-generation, PTK7-targeting ADC with novel bioconjugation and linker–payload technology
Presenter: Kathleen S. Keegan, PhD, VP of R&D, Whitehawk Therapeutics
Section 12: Antibody-Drug Conjugates and Linker Engineering 3
Poster Number: 4439
Date & Time: April 21, 2026, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

HWK-206 – SEZ6-Targeted ADC (Poster Presentation)
Title: Preclinical assessment of HWK-206, a next-generation, biparatopic, SEZ6-targeting ADC with novel bioconjugation and linker–payload technology
Presenter: Kathleen S. Keegan, PhD, VP of R&D, Whitehawk Therapeutics
Section 12: Antibody-Drug Conjugates and Linker Engineering 3
Poster Number: 4440
Date & Time: April 21, 2026, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

These abstracts are currently available on the AACR 2026 meeting website, and the presentation and posters will be accessible on the Presentations page of the Investors & News section of the Company's website at www.whitehawktx.com. 

About Whitehawk Therapeutics
Whitehawk Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology therapeutics company applying advanced technologies to established tumor biology to efficiently deliver improved cancer treatments. Whitehawk's advanced three-asset ADC portfolio is engineered to overcome the limitations of first-generation predecessors to deliver a meaningful impact for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. These assets are in-licensed from WuXi Biologics under an exclusive development and global commercialization agreement. More information on the Company is available at www.whitehawktx.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding the business of Whitehawk Therapeutics that are not a description of historical facts within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs and expectations and may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to expectations regarding the beneficial characteristics, optimized ADC design features, safety, efficacy, therapeutic effects and the size of the potential targeted markets with respect to the Company's ADC assets and the potential best-in-class therapeutic index among next-generation TOP1i-based ADCs. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, uncertainties associated with preclinical and clinical development of the ADC portfolio, including failure to demonstrate the efficacy of the ADC portfolio in preclinical and clinical studies; the risk that unforeseen adverse reactions or side effects may occur in the course of testing of the ADC assets.

Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, including under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Whitehawk's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and elsewhere in Whitehawk's reports and other documents that Whitehawk has filed, or will file, with the SEC from time to time and available at www.sec.gov.

All forward-looking statements in this press release are current only as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable law, Whitehawk undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Contact:
IR@whitehawktx.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whitehawk-therapeutics-to-highlight-its-next-generation-adc-portfolio-at-the-american-association-for-cancer-research-aacr-annual-meeting-2026-302716323.html

SOURCE Whitehawk Therapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

When and where will Whitehawk Therapeutics (WHWK) present at AACR Annual Meeting 2026?

Whitehawk will present at AACR in San Diego, April 17–22, 2026, with listed session times and dates. According to Whitehawk, presentations occur April 19 and April 21, covering an oral minisymposium and two poster sessions at the conference.

Which ADC programs will WHWK (Nasdaq: WHWK) showcase at AACR 2026?

Whitehawk will showcase three ADC programs: HWK-016, HWK-007 and HWK-206. According to Whitehawk, these are next-generation TOP1i-based ADCs with novel bioconjugation and linker–payload technology.

What is the schedule for the HWK-016 oral presentation by Whitehawk (WHWK)?

HWK-016 will be presented April 19, 2026 from 3:00–5:00 pm as an oral minisymposium session. According to Whitehawk, David Dornan, PhD, will present preclinical assessment of the MUC16-targeted ADC HWK-016.

What preclinical results did Whitehawk report for its ADCs in the AACR abstracts?

Whitehawk reported tumor regressions at low single-digit mg/kg doses and high tolerability in primates. According to Whitehawk, their ADCs showed an HNSTD of 60 mg/kg and one of the lowest reported free payload levels in circulation.

Where can investors access Whitehawk (WHWK) presentation materials from AACR 2026?

Presentation materials will be available on the company website Presentations page in Investors & News. According to Whitehawk, abstracts are on the AACR 2026 meeting website and posters will be posted on whitehawktx.com.

What does an HNSTD of 60 mg/kg reported by Whitehawk (WHWK) indicate for their ADCs?

An HNSTD of 60 mg/kg indicates high tolerability in non-human primate studies at that dose level. According to Whitehawk, this tolerability supports the ADCs' safety profile alongside low circulating free payload driven by their linker–payload design.