Three complete responses in metastatic PDAC spur new Elicio (NASDAQ: ELTX) trial plan
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. reported preliminary clinical observations in metastatic mutant KRAS pancreatic cancer after treatment with its investigational immunotherapy ELI-002 7P. Three patients who had progressed on ELI-002 7P in the Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P study later received nivolumab-based therapy and achieved 100% confirmed complete radiographic and complete metabolic responses, with concurrent normalization of CA19-9 tumor marker levels and persistent mKRAS-specific T cell responses.
The company notes that complete responses in metastatic pancreatic cancer have been reported at roughly 0%–8% in published studies, making these three complete, durable responses in microsatellite stable / mismatch repair proficient patients notable. Elicio plans, subject to funding, to initiate a Phase 1 study of ELI-002 7P combined with standard chemotherapy and an anti–PD-1 inhibitor in first-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and will host a virtual key opinion leader event on June 24, 2026 to further discuss the findings.
Positive
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Negative
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Insights
Tiny patient set shows intriguing responses, but data remain early and exploratory.
Elicio Therapeutics highlights three metastatic mutant KRAS pancreatic cancer patients who progressed after ELI-002 7P yet later achieved complete radiographic and metabolic responses on nivolumab-based therapy, with normalized CA19-9 and persistent KRAS-specific T cells. Published studies cite roughly 0%–8% complete response rates in this disease.
The company interprets these cases as preliminary support that ELI-002 7P–induced immune priming may enhance sensitivity to checkpoint inhibition, especially in microsatellite stable / mismatch repair proficient tumors that typically respond poorly. However, three patients represent a very small, hypothesis-generating sample.
Elicio plans, subject to funding, a Phase 1 study combining ELI-002 7P with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel and anti–PD-1 therapy in treatment-naïve metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Subsequent results from that study and longer follow-up in additional AMPLIFY-7P patients will be important to clarify whether these observations translate into reproducible clinical activity.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 8.01, 9.01
2 items
Item 8.01
Other Events
Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Number of patients with complete responses: 3 patients
Complete response rate range in studies: 0%–8%
Ongoing complete response duration: >13 months
+4 more
7 metrics
Number of patients with complete responses
3 patients
Metastatic mutant KRAS pancreatic cancer after nivolumab-based therapy
Complete response rate range in studies
0%–8%
Published metastatic pancreatic cancer regimens
Ongoing complete response duration
>13 months
One of three metastatic pancreatic cancer patients
Durable complete responses duration
≥8 months
Two of three metastatic pancreatic cancer patients
KRAS mutation coverage
7 mutations
ELI-002 7P formulation targets seven common KRAS mutations
KRAS-driven tumor prevalence
25% of solid tumors
Tumors with KRAS mutations potentially targeted by ELI-002 7P
KOL event date and time
June 24, 2026, 1:00 PM ET
Virtual key opinion leader event discussing observations
Key Terms
metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, checkpoint inhibition, microsatellite stable (MSS), mismatch repair proficient (MMR-p), +2 more
6 terms
metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma medical
"plans to conduct a Phase 1 study in first-line metastatic mutant KRAS pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma"
A late-stage form of pancreatic cancer that starts in the cells lining the pancreatic ducts and has spread to other organs, making it much harder to treat successfully. For investors, the condition matters because it creates urgent demand for effective drugs and diagnostics; trial results, regulatory approvals, or new treatment advances can rapidly change the commercial outlook for companies working in oncology, similar to a sudden shift in demand for a breakthrough product.
checkpoint inhibition medical
"support the evaluation of ELI-002 7P in combination with checkpoint inhibition"
Checkpoint inhibition is a type of cancer treatment that blocks certain proteins on immune cells or tumors that act like brakes, allowing the body’s T cells to attack cancer more strongly. For investors, it matters because these therapies can transform clinical trial outcomes, drive regulatory approvals or safety concerns, and create large market opportunities or partnership and pricing questions—similar to taking the foot off a brake to speed up a car but increasing the risk of losing control.
microsatellite stable (MSS) medical
"all three patients were microsatellite stable (MSS) / mismatch repair proficient (MMR-p)"
Microsatellite stable (MSS) describes a tumor whose short, repeating DNA sequences remain unchanged during cell division, meaning the cancer’s DNA repair system is functioning normally. For investors this matters because MSS status is a common biological test result used to predict how well certain therapies—especially some immunotherapies—will work, influence clinical trial design and enrollment, and affect regulatory decisions and commercial prospects for new cancer treatments.
mismatch repair proficient (MMR-p) medical
"all three patients were microsatellite stable (MSS) / mismatch repair proficient (MMR-p)"
Mismatch repair proficient (MMR-P) describes tumors whose cellular “spellchecker” that fixes mistakes made when DNA is copied is working normally, so the tumor accumulates fewer DNA errors. Investors care because this biological trait affects how well certain therapies work, shapes who is eligible for clinical trials and regulatory decisions, and therefore influences the commercial potential and competitive positioning of cancer treatments.
AMP cancer immunotherapy medical
"ELI-002, is a structurally novel investigational AMP cancer immunotherapy that targets cancers"
off-the-shelf immunotherapy medical
"ELI-002’s ELI-002 7P lead program is an off-the-shelf immunotherapy candidate targeting the most common KRAS mutations"
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): June 17, 2026
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) | ||||||||
(857 ) 209-0050
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| (Title of each class) | (Trading Symbol) | (Name of exchange on which registered) | ||||||
The | ||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On June 17, 2026, Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing preliminary clinical observations which the Company believes support the evaluation of ELI-002 7P in combination with checkpoint inhibition as well as the Company’s plans to conduct a Phase 1 study in first-line metastatic mutant KRAS pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, subject to funding. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | |||||||
| 99.1 | Press Release dated June 17, 2026. | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||
| By: | /s/ ROBERT CONNELLY | ||||||||||||||||
Date: June 17, 2026 | Robert Connelly President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||||||||||
Elicio Therapeutics Reports Multiple Complete Responses After ELI-002 7P Treatment and Subsequent Therapy with Checkpoint Inhibition in Metastatic mKRAS Pancreatic Cancer • 100% confirmed complete radiographic and complete metabolic responses in three patients who progressed on ELI-002 7P treatment during the Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P study and received nivolumab-based subsequent therapy • Complete responses (“CRs”) are rarely (0-8%) observed in metastatic pancreatic cancer in published studies evaluating chemotherapy-, checkpoint inhibitor-, and RAS inhibitor- based regimens • ELI-002 7P-induced mutant KRAS(“mKRAS”)-specific T cells may synergize with checkpoint inhibition to allow deep antitumor responses in a tumor type previously considered refractory to immunotherapy • Elicio believes these post-study observations build on mechanistic validation from prior AMPLIFY studies and support evaluation of ELI-002 7P in combination with checkpoint inhibition in metastatic pancreatic cancer • Elicio intends to initiate a Phase 1 study in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (“PDAC”) designed to provide a rapid assessment of clinical activity through a focused, confirmatory study, subject to funding • Elicio plans to use the study findings to further evaluate checkpoint inhibitor combinations and help inform future development strategies in metastatic PDAC and the adjuvant PDAC Phase 3 trial • Elicio is hosting a virtual key opinion leader event on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET, to further discuss these observations BOSTON, Mass., June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELTX) (“Elicio” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next- generation immunotherapies for KRAS-driven cancers, today reported preliminary clinical observations which the Company believes support the evaluation of ELI-002 7P in combination with checkpoint inhibition. The Company also announced plans to conduct a Phase 1 study in first-line metastatic mKRAS PDAC, subject to funding. If validated by a Phase 1 study, activity in metastatic PDAC may allow a rapid development pathway for ELI-002 7P and inform the design of the future Phase 3 trial in adjuvant PDAC. Three patients who received ELI-002 7P during Elicio’s recently completed Phase 2 AMPLIFY- 7P study experienced disease progression after treatment and subsequently achieved confirmed complete radiographic and complete metabolic responses after receiving nivolumab- based therapy with concurrent normalization of tumor biomarker CA19-9 levels. Two of the three patients maintained complete responses for at least eight months, with one ongoing complete response at >13 months. In addition, all three patients demonstrated persistent mKRAS-specific T cell responses. The Company believes these observations provide preliminary clinical support for the hypothesis that ELI-002 7P-induced immune responses may enhance sensitivity to checkpoint inhibition and support prospective evaluation of ELI-002 7P and anti–PD-1 combination strategies.
These observations represent the first three patients identified following recurrence after treatment with ELI-002 7P during the Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P study and subsequent gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy and nivolumab. Elicio intends to continue monitoring additional patients who participated in the AMPLIFY-7P study and are currently following a similar course of treatment. Importantly, all three patients were microsatellite stable (MSS) / mismatch repair proficient (MMR-p), a population that has historically demonstrated limited responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Published studies evaluating chemotherapy-, checkpoint inhibitor-, or RAS inhibitor-based regimens in metastatic pancreatic cancer have reported complete response rates of approximately 0% to 8%, with durable complete responses rarely observed. Christopher Haqq, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer of Elicio, added, “The observations reported today provide a compelling rationale for a Phase 1 study evaluating ELI-002 7P in combination with checkpoint inhibition and standard therapy in metastatic pancreatic cancer. Because radiographic responses can be assessed within months, the metastatic setting offers an efficient opportunity to evaluate the combination strategy. Given the historically low complete response rates reported in this disease, a relatively small number of complete responses could provide important evidence of clinical activity and support a rapid pathway to a potential pivotal study in metastatic PDAC and inform our Phase 3 design in adjuvant PDAC.” “Three complete responses observed following subsequent nivolumab-based therapy are particularly intriguing because complete, durable tumor responses in this setting are historically rare,” said Robert Connelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Elicio Therapeutics. “These observations suggest that ELI-002-induced immune priming may synergize with other therapies to enable tumor eradication, supporting prospective evaluation of ELI-002 7P in combination with checkpoint inhibition. We look forward to evaluating outcomes in additional patients as longer-term follow-up becomes available.” Subject to funding, Elicio plans to initiate a Phase 1 study evaluating ELI-002 7P in combination with standard gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy and an anti-PD-1 inhibitor in treatment- naïve metastatic mKRAS pancreatic cancer. The planned study is designed to prospectively evaluate the hypothesis generated by these observations and assess whether ELI-002 7P may enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve responsiveness to checkpoint inhibition. Virtual KOL Event Elicio is hosting a virtual KOL Event on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET, to further discuss these observations. To register, click here. Company management will be joined by Peter Hosein, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center,
University of Miami, and Zev Wainberg, M.D., Professor of Medicine at UCLA and co-director of the UCLA GI Oncology Program. About ELI-002 Elicio’s lead product candidate, ELI-002, is a structurally novel investigational AMP cancer immunotherapy that targets cancers that are driven by mutations in the KRAS-gene—a prevalent driver of many human cancers. ELI-002 is comprised of two powerful components that are built with Elicio’s proprietary AMP technology consisting of AMP-modified mutant KRAS peptide antigens and ELI-004, an AMP-modified CpG oligodeoxynucleotide adjuvant that is available as an off-the-shelf subcutaneous administration. ELI-002 7P (7-peptide formulation) was evaluated in the randomized Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P trial in patients with mKRAS-driven pancreatic cancer (NCT05726864). The Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P trial included patients with mKRAS-positive pancreatic cancer who completed standard therapy but remain at high risk of relapse. Based on topline results and post-hoc analyses, Elicio has refined its Phase 3 development strategy to focus on patients with lower residual disease burden and extended treatment duration. Elicio intends to initiate a Phase 1 study in metastatic PDAC designed to provide a rapid assessment of clinical activity through a focused, confirmatory study, subject to funding. Elicio plans to use the study findings to further evaluate checkpoint inhibitor combinations and help inform future development strategies in metastatic PDAC and the adjuvant PDAC Phase 3 trial. At the time of the Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P analysis, data for overall survival remained immature. The ELI-002 7P formulation is designed to provide immune response coverage against seven of the most common KRAS mutations present in 25% of all solid tumors, thereby increasing the potential patient population for ELI-002. About the AMP Platform Elicio’s proprietary AMP platform delivers investigational immunotherapy directly to the “brain center” of the immune system – the lymph nodes. Elicio believes this site-specific delivery of disease-specific antigens, adjuvants and other immunomodulators may efficiently educate, activate and amplify critical immune cells, potentially resulting in induction and persistence of potent adaptive immunity required to treat many diseases. In pre-clinical models, Elicio observed lymph node-specific engagement driving therapeutic immune responses of increased magnitude, function and durability. Elicio believes its AMP lymph node-targeted approach will produce superior clinical benefits compared to immunotherapies that do not engage the lymph nodes based on preclinical studies. Elicio’s AMP platform, originally developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has broad potential in the cancer space to advance a number of development initiatives through internal activities, in-licensing arrangements or development collaborations and partnerships.
The AMP platform has been shown to deliver immunotherapy directly to the lymph nodes by latching on to the protein albumin, found in the local injection site, as it travels to lymphatic tissue. About Elicio Therapeutics Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELTX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing novel immunotherapies for the treatment of high-prevalence cancers, including mKRAS-positive pancreatic and colorectal cancers. Elicio intends to build on recent clinical findings in the personalized cancer immunotherapy space to develop effective, off-the-shelf immunotherapies. Elicio’s AMP technology aims to enhance the education, activation and amplification of cancer-specific T cells relative to conventional immunotherapy strategies, with the goal of promoting durable cancer immunosurveillance in patients. Elicio’s ELI-002 7P lead program is an off-the-shelf immunotherapy candidate targeting the most common KRAS mutations, which drive approximately 25% of all solid tumors. Off-the-shelf immunotherapy approaches have the potential benefits of low cost, rapid commercial scale manufacturing, and rapid availability of drug to patients, especially in neo-adjuvant settings and for prophylaxis in high-risk patients, contrary to personalized immunotherapy approaches. ELI-002 7P was evaluated in the randomized Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P trial in patients with mKRAS-positive pancreatic cancer who completed standard therapy, but remain at high risk of relapse. Based on topline results and post-hoc analyses, Elicio has refined its Phase 3 development strategy to focus on patients with lower residual disease burden and extended treatment duration. Elicio intends to initiate a Phase 1 study in metastatic PDAC designed to provide a rapid assessment of clinical activity through a focused, confirmatory study, subject to funding. Elicio plans to use the study findings to further evaluate checkpoint inhibitor combinations and help inform future development strategies in metastatic PDAC and the adjuvant PDAC Phase 3 trial. ELI-002 also has been studied in patients with mKRAS-positive colorectal cancer (“CRC”) in Phase 1 studies. In the future, Elicio plans to expand ELI-002 7P to other indications, including mKRAS positive lung cancer and other mKRAS positive cancers. Elicio’s pipeline includes additional off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer immunotherapy candidates, including ELI-007 and ELI-008, that target BRAF-driven cancers and p53 hotspot mutations, respectively. For more information, please visit www.elicio.com. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this communication regarding matters that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, known as the PSLRA. These include statements regarding Elicio’s planned clinical programs, including the timing and outcome of planned clinical trials, including the planned Phase 1 study evaluating ELI-002 7P in combination with checkpoint inhibition in metastatic PDAC; the potential validation of the combination in a Phase 1 study; the potential of Elicio’s product candidates, including the potential of ELI-002 7P; the potential for the Phase 1 study to provide a rapid development pathway for ELI-002 7P; the potential for the Phase 1 study to inform
Elicio’s Phase 3 design in adjuvant PDAC; the potential for ELI-002-induced immune priming to synergize with other therapies to enable tumor eradication; the potential for future expansion of ELI-002 to other indications, including in mKRAS positive lung cancer and other mKRAS positive cancers; the potential benefits and effectiveness of off-the-shelf immunotherapy approaches; and other statements regarding management’s intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or forecasts for the future and, therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Elicio undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward- looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. Elicio uses words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “projects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “guidance,” and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements that are intended to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA. Such forward-looking statements are based on Elicio’s expectations and involve risks and uncertainties; consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, Elicio’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, including ELI-002 7P; the timing of initiation of Elicio’s planned clinical trials; the timing of the availability of data from Elicio’s clinical trials; the timing of any planned investigational new drug application or new drug application; Elicio’s plans to research, develop and commercialize its current and future product candidates; and Elicio’s estimates regarding future revenue, expenses, capital requirements and need for additional financing. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Elicio to predict all such factors, nor can Elicio assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. These risks are more fully discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Elicio’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2026, as updated by subsequent reports and other documents filed from time to time with the SEC. Forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to Elicio as of the date of this release. Elicio does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, except to the extent required by law. Investor Relations Contact Brian Ritchie LifeSci Advisors (212) 915-2578 britchie@lifesciadvisors.com Media Contact Michael Fitzhugh
LifeSci Communications (415) 269-7757 mfitzhugh@lifescicomms.com
FAQ
What did Elicio Therapeutics (ELTX) announce in its latest 8-K about ELI-002 7P?
Elicio Therapeutics reported preliminary observations from metastatic pancreatic cancer patients previously treated with ELI-002 7P. Three patients who had progressed later achieved confirmed complete radiographic and metabolic responses on nivolumab-based therapy, with CA19-9 normalization and persistent mutant KRAS-specific T cells, supporting further combination evaluation.
How many metastatic pancreatic cancer patients showed complete responses in Elicio Therapeutics (ELTX) report?
Three metastatic mutant KRAS pancreatic cancer patients achieved confirmed complete radiographic and complete metabolic responses after nivolumab-based therapy. All had earlier received ELI-002 7P in the Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P study and initially progressed, then later showed deep, durable responses with normalized CA19-9 tumor markers and ongoing follow-up.
Why are the ELI-002 7P observations notable for Elicio Therapeutics (ELTX)?
Elicio highlights that complete responses in metastatic pancreatic cancer are reported at roughly 0%–8% in published regimens. Seeing three complete, durable responses in microsatellite stable, mismatch repair proficient patients is unusual and supports prospective evaluation of ELI-002 7P combined with checkpoint inhibition in this historically resistant setting.
What future clinical plans did Elicio Therapeutics (ELTX) outline for ELI-002 7P?
Subject to funding, Elicio intends to start a Phase 1 study in treatment-naïve metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The trial would test ELI-002 7P with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy and an anti–PD-1 inhibitor, aiming for rapid assessment of clinical activity and to help inform future Phase 3 design.
What is ELI-002 and how does it fit Elicio Therapeutics (ELTX) strategy?
ELI-002 is an investigational AMP cancer immunotherapy targeting mutant KRAS-driven cancers. The ELI-002 7P formulation covers seven common KRAS mutations found in about 25% of solid tumors, aligning with Elicio’s goal of developing off-the-shelf lymph node–targeted immunotherapies for high-prevalence cancers like pancreatic and colorectal cancer.
What event is Elicio Therapeutics (ELTX) hosting to discuss these ELI-002 7P findings?
Elicio is hosting a virtual key opinion leader event on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET. Company management and external oncology experts will discuss the metastatic pancreatic cancer observations, potential checkpoint inhibitor combinations, and how these data may influence future clinical development plans.