Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. Extends Research and Development Collaboration with Institute Investigator at Scripps Research to Advance DNase Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

Xenetic Biosciences (NASDAQ:XBIO) executed a 4-month extension of its R&D collaboration with Scripps Research and Dr. Alexey Stepanov effective November 1, 2025 to advance its systemic DNase I program (XBIO-015) in combination with CAR-T therapies.

Preclinical studies in lymphoma, metastatic melanoma and leukemia models reported that co-administration of DNase I with CAR-T cells reduced tumor burden, decreased metastatic lesions, increased CAR-T and endogenous T-cell tumor infiltration, and extended survival versus CAR-T monotherapy. Xenetic says the program has progressed from proof-of-concept to mechanism-of-action and translational studies in preparation for a Phase 1 clinical trial targeting pancreatic carcinoma and other advanced solid tumors.

Positive

• 4-month collaboration extension with Scripps Research effective Nov 1, 2025
• Preclinical proof-of-concept: DNase I + CAR-T reduced tumor burden
• Preclinical proof-of-concept: combination therapy extended survival in models
• Program advanced to mechanism-of-action and translational studies toward Phase 1

Negative

• XBIO-015 remains in preclinical stage; no clinical efficacy data yet
• Collaboration extension is short-term (4 months) without long-term commitment
• No financial, timeline, or enrollment details provided for the planned Phase 1

Insights

Translational oncology scientist

Extension supports preclinical DNase I+CAR-T work and advances a Phase 1 path for XBIO-015.

Xenetic Biosciences extended its research collaboration with Scripps Research and Dr. Alexey Stepanov effective November 1, 2025 to continue studies of systemic DNase I (XBIO-015) combined with CAR-T therapy. The reported preclinical results show reduced tumor burden, fewer metastatic lesions, and longer survival versus CAR-T alone across lymphoma, metastatic melanoma, and leukemia models. The release also states increased infiltration of CAR-T and endogenous T cells and NETs degradation as a likely mechanism.

The program now targets Phase 1 clinical development for pancreatic carcinoma and other advanced solid tumors, following completed proof-of-concept studies and current mechanism/translational work. Key dependencies include reproducible translational data, safety and dosing characterization for systemic DNase I, and successful IND-enabling studies; any shortfall in these areas would delay clinical entry.

Items to watch include additional translational readouts, IND-enabling milestones, and a formal Phase 1 start timeline; expect updates over the next few months given the four-month extension and the press date November 19, 2025. Continued collaboration with Scripps Research and reproducible mechanism data will be the most actionable near-term signals.

FRAMINGHAM, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 19, 2025 / Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:XBIO) ("Xenetic" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing innovative immuno-oncology technologies addressing difficult to treat cancers, today announced it has executed a 4-month extension of its collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute ("Scripps Research") and the lab of Dr. Alexey Stepanov, Institute Investigator at Scripps Research effective November 1, 2025, to advance the development of the Company's research and development program evaluating the combination of systemic DNase I and CAR T-cell therapies.

Xenetic's systemic DNase I candidate, XBIO-015, is currently in preclinical development in combination with CAR-T cell therapy for both hematologic and solid tumors. Studies conducted by Dr. Stepanov and his lab at Scripps Research using lymphoma, metastatic melanoma and leukemia models have shown that co-administration of DNase I with CAR-T cells significantly reduces tumor burden, decreases metastatic lesions, and markedly extends survival compared to CAR-T cell monotherapy. Importantly, systemic DNase I-mediated degrading of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) enhances CAR-T cell efficacy, increasing the infiltration of both CAR-T cells and endogenous T cells into tumors and by mitigating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).

"Dr. Stepanov and the Scripps Research team continue to be valued partners, and we are pleased to once again extend our collaboration with them to further explore the full potential of our DNase-based oncology platform. The data generated to date continues to be encouraging and warrants further evaluations. The expertise and dedication of the Scripps Research team to this program further validates our belief in DNase I to improve therapeutic responses in patients undergoing CAR-T cell therapy and we look forward to continued collaboration and innovation together," commented James Parslow, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Xenetic.

Xenetic continues to advance its DNase-based technology towards Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma and other locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Preclinical proof-of-concept studies combining DNase I with chemotherapy, immunotherapies, and CAR-T therapy in hematological and solid tumor and metastatic cancer models have been completed. Building on proof-of-concept success, the program has now advanced to mechanism-of-action and translational studies in preparation for a Phase 1 clinical trial.

About Xenetic Biosciences

Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing innovative immuno-oncology technologies addressing difficult to treat cancers. The Company's proprietary DNase technology is designed to improve outcomes of existing treatments, including immunotherapies, by targeting neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are involved in cancer progression. Xenetic is currently focused on advancing its systemic DNase program into the clinic as an adjunctive therapy for pancreatic carcinoma and locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.xeneticbio.com and connect on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that we intend to be subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," "remain," "focus", "confidence in", "potential", "continues", "warrants", and other words of similar meaning, including, but not limited to, all statements regarding our research and development collaboration with Scripps Research and the lab of Dr. Alexey Stepanov, including our expectations regarding our continued collaboration and innovation, and all statements regarding our expectations for our DNase platform, including statements regarding: our belief in DNase I to improve therapeutic responses in patients undergoing CAR-T cell therapy, our plans for advancement towards mechanism-of-action and translational studies in preparation for a Phase 1 clinical trial, plans to advance our DNase-based technology towards Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma and other locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors, our focus on advancing innovative immuno-oncology technologies addressing difficult to treat cancers, the DNase platform improving outcomes of existing treatments, including immunotherapies, by targeting neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are involved in cancer progression, and our focus on advancing our systemic DNase program into the clinic as an adjunctive therapy for pancreatic carcinoma and locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual activities, performance, achievements, or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual activities, performance, achievements, or results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from our manufacturing and collaboration agreements; (2) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the licensing of the DNase platform; (3) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the Company following the licensing of the DNase platform; (4) failure to realize the anticipated potential of the DNase or PolyXen technologies; (5) the ability of the Company to obtain funding and implement its business strategy; (6) risks and uncertainties as to the outcome and timing of the strategic review process being conducted by the Company's board of directors; and (7) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 10-K, periodic quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. In addition, forward-looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market factors, general economic and business conditions, including potential adverse effects of public health issues, such as the COVID-19 outbreak, and geopolitical events, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East, on economic activity, competitive product development, product availability, federal and state regulations and legislation, the regulatory process for new product candidates and indications, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions, litigation, and shareholder activism, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Contact:

JTC Team, LLC
Jenene Thomas
(908) 824-0775
xbio@jtcir.com

SOURCE: Xenetic Biosciences, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did Xenetic announce about its collaboration with Scripps Research and XBIO (NASDAQ:XBIO) on November 19, 2025?

Xenetic announced a 4-month extension of its R&D collaboration with Scripps Research (effective Nov 1, 2025) to advance DNase I (XBIO-015) combined with CAR-T therapies.

What preclinical results did Xenetic report for XBIO-015 combined with CAR-T cells?

Preclinical models showed that DNase I co-administered with CAR-T cells reduced tumor burden, decreased metastases, increased T-cell infiltration, and extended survival versus CAR-T alone.

What is Xenetic’s development plan for XBIO-015 after the Scripps extension?

The program has moved from proof-of-concept to mechanism-of-action and translational studies in preparation for a Phase 1 clinical trial targeting pancreatic carcinoma and other solid tumors.

Does the announcement include clinical trial start dates or clinical efficacy data for XBIO-015?

No; the announcement reports only preclinical results and preparatory translational work, with no clinical start date or human efficacy data provided.

How might the Scripps Research collaboration affect XBIO stock (XBIO) near term?

The extension supports continued preclinical development and translational progress for XBIO-015, but the collaboration is short-term and no near-term clinical milestones or financial details were disclosed.