Alaunos Therapeutics (TCRT) posts new ALN1003 mouse liver and metabolic findings
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Alaunos Therapeutics filed a current report describing new preclinical data for ALN1003, its investigational oral, non-hormonal, non-incretin metabolic candidate, from a 48-day diet-induced obesity mouse study. After adjusting for body fat percentage in an ANCOVA, ALN1003-treated animals showed significantly lower liver weight than controls, with p=0.000005 and confirmation using heteroscedasticity-robust HC3 standard errors.
The company notes this liver-weight signal is directionally consistent with earlier findings of lower liver injury enzymes, lower mean NAFLD Activity Scores, lower HOMA-IR, and favorable adipose endocrine biomarkers, but emphasizes the data are from non-GLP mouse studies that may not translate to humans. As of March 31, 2026, Alaunos reported cash and cash equivalents of about $0.354 million and plans to seek additional financing to continue operations and advance its obesity and metabolic disorders program.
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Insights
Alaunos adds supportive ALN1003 mouse data but highlights early-stage risk and tight cash.
Alaunos Therapeutics reports a statistically strong liver-weight signal for ALN1003 in a 48-day diet-induced obesity mouse study, even after adjusting for body fat. The signal aligns with prior liver enzymes, NAFLD Activity Scores, HOMA-IR, and adipose biomarker data, strengthening the internal consistency of the preclinical package.
The company clearly frames major caveats: results are from non-GLP mouse work, based on limited samples and post hoc analyses, and may not translate to human disease. ALN1003 has not been tested in humans, so there is no established safety or efficacy.
Separately, Alaunos discloses cash and cash equivalents of about $0.354 million as of March 31, 2026 and an intent to pursue additional financing to fund operations and preclinical work. Future disclosures in periodic reports will clarify whether new capital is secured and how development plans evolve.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
ANCOVA financial
heteroscedasticity-robust HC3 standard errors technical
HOMA-IR medical
metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) medical
MASH-relevant liver biology medical
UNITED STATES
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CURRENT REPORT
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Item 8.01 - Other Events.
On June 29, 2026, Alaunos Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing a new preclinical statistical analysis of liver weight adjusted for body fat percentage from the Company’s previously reported non-Good Laboratory Practice (“non-GLP”) diet-induced obesity mouse Study 1 of ALN1003, the Company’s investigational oral, non-hormonal, non-incretin small-molecule metabolic candidate.
The press release reported that, in the 48-day DIO Study 1, ALN1003-treated animals had lower liver weight than controls after adjustment for body fat percentage in a standard ANCOVA analysis, with the same conclusion confirmed using heteroscedasticity-robust HC3 standard errors as a sensitivity analysis. The Company stated that this statistical finding indicates that the lower liver weight associated with ALN1003 treatment was not fully explained by measured body fat percentage in this model. The Company further stated that the finding is directionally consistent with previously disclosed liver marker, selected histology, HOMA-IR, and adipose endocrine biomarker findings.
The press release also notes that the findings are based on non-GLP preclinical studies and should be interpreted with appropriate caution. ALN1003 has not been evaluated in human clinical trials, and its safety and efficacy in humans have not been established. Findings from mouse studies may not translate to human disease.
Alaunos has also published a non-confidential investor presentation titled Obesity and Metabolic Disorders Program — Results of Studies of ALN1003 in Diet-Induced Obese Mouse Model (May 2026), containing integrated data summaries, statistical analyses, representative liver histology images, and study conclusions referenced in the press release. The presentation is available on the Investors section of the Company’s website.
A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The information in this Item 8.01, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 – Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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Press Release, dated June 29, 2026 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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Alaunos Therapeutics, Inc. |
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June 29, 2026 |
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/s/ Holger Weis |
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Holger Weis |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alaunos Reports New Preclinical ALN1003 Data Showing Lower Liver Weight After Adjustment for Body Fat Percentage in 48-Day DIO Mouse Study
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — June 29, 2026 — Alaunos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCRT), an early-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics, today announced a new preclinical statistical analysis of liver weight adjusted for body fat percentage from its previously reported non-Good Laboratory Practice (non-GLP) diet-induced obesity (DIO; high fat diet) mouse Study 1 of ALN1003, the Company’s investigational oral, non-hormonal, non-incretin small-molecule metabolic candidate.
As depicted in the figure below, in the 48-day DIO Study 1, ALN1003-treated animals had lower liver weight than controls after adjustment for body fat percentage in a standard ANCOVA analysis (p=0.000005), with the same conclusion confirmed using heteroscedasticity-robust HC3 standard errors as a sensitivity analysis (p=0.000015). This statistical finding indicates that the lower liver weight associated with ALN1003 treatment was not fully explained by measured body fat percentage in this model. While this analysis does not establish the specific mechanism, it provides supportive evidence for further controlled preclinical evaluation of ALN1003’s liver-related effects.
Supportive Liver-Related Analyses
This body-fat-adjusted liver-weight finding is directionally consistent with previously disclosed findings from DIO Study 1, including selected liver histology, liver marker, HOMA-IR, and adipose endocrine biomarker results:
“This analysis adds an important supportive piece to the ALN1003 preclinical dataset,” said Holger Weis, CEO of Alaunos. “In the 48-day DIO mouse study, ALN1003-treated animals showed lower liver weight after adjustment for body fat percentage, which is directionally consistent with our previously reported liver marker, selected histology, HOMA-IR, and adipose endocrine biomarker findings. These findings support continued development of ALN1003 and further controlled studies to evaluate formulation, exposure-response, tolerability, and MASH-relevant liver biology.”
About ALN1003
ALN1003 is an investigational oral metabolic therapeutic being evaluated for potential relevance to multiple components of metabolic dysfunction, including insulin resistance, adipose tissue signaling, and hepatic lipid metabolism. Preclinical studies to date suggest potential relevance
across metabolic syndrome and related conditions, including obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and insulin resistance.
Alaunos has published a non-confidential investor presentation, Obesity and Metabolic Disorders Program — Results of Studies of ALN1003 in Diet-Induced Obese Mouse Model (May 2026), containing the previously disclosed integrated data summaries, statistical analyses, representative liver histology images, and study conclusions referenced above. The presentation is available on the Investors section of the Company's website at www.alaunos.com.
About Alaunos Therapeutics
Alaunos Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics. The Company’s obesity and metabolic disorders program is advancing ALN1003, an oral small-molecule candidate being evaluated as a potential differentiated, non-hormonal, non-incretin approach for obesity- and metabolic-disease-relevant biology.
Cash Position and Important Limitations
As previously disclosed, as of March 31, 2026, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $0.354 million. The Company intends to pursue additional financing to support continued operations and advancement of its preclinical obesity and metabolic disorders program.
These findings are based on non-GLP preclinical studies and should be interpreted with appropriate caution. Limitations include limited sample sizes; histological analysis limited to a sample of available livers; single-timepoint biomarker assessments; known constraints of HOMA-IR interpretation in rodent models; qualitative/semi-quantitative pathology scoring; the post hoc nature of the body-fat-adjusted liver-weight analysis and nominal p-values; liver weight as an indirect liver-related measure rather than a direct quantification of hepatic lipid content. ALN1003 has not been evaluated in human clinical trials, and its safety and efficacy in humans have not been established. Findings from mouse studies may not translate to human disease.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, and in some cases can be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "could," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes" or other words or terms of similar meaning. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Alaunos Therapeutics, Inc.'s ("Alaunos" or "the Company") business and strategic plans, the timing of the Company's research and development programs, including potential data read-out dates as well as any potential patent filings for the Company's obesity and metabolic disorders program, statements regarding the interpretation of liver-weight/body-fat-adjusted analyses, liver-related effects, HOMA-IR, adipose endocrine biomarkers, future controlled studies, MASH-relevant liver biology, financing, and the availability or content of investor materials.
These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: changes in the Company's operating plans that may impact its cash expenditures; uncertainties built into research and development such as preclinical mouse data not translating to human trials, or challenges in scaling up formulations, including the risk that early non-GLP study results may not be replicated in confirmatory studies or pose safety concerns in IND-enabling studies; delays or failures in future studies; whether Alaunos' product candidates will advance further in the clinical trial process, including getting approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other foreign health authority to conduct clinical trials and whether and when, if at all, they will receive final approval from the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies and for which uses; challenges to the strength and enforceability of Alaunos' intellectual property rights (such as patent disputes); competition from other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies (including in the crowded obesity treatment market); funding shortages or market changes affecting our cash needs; tolerability issues from drug administration; the inherent uncertainties in drug development, including potential failures optimizing formulations, mechanistic studies, or large-animal pharmacokinetics that could delay IND-enabling activities; manufacturing and supply chain disruptions related to CMC work; and other factors discussed in our latest Form 10-Q and Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Forward-looking statements may also be protected if they are immaterial.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, Alaunos undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof.
Investor / Media Contact
ir@alaunos.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://pr.globenewswire.com/FileDownloader/DownloadFile?source=pnr&fileGuid=65e51451-5817-42eb-8946-c1a4e458d96a