Early lab data advance Veraxa (Nasdaq: VRXA) autoimmune AOC
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Veraxa Biotech Holding AG (VRXA) reported that VERAXA Biotech AG and Secarna Pharmaceuticals achieved an initial research milestone in their antibody oligonucleotide conjugate (AOC) alliance targeting autoimmune and chronic immune diseases. In early in vitro studies, an AOC candidate created using both companies’ technologies showed greater potency than the equivalent unconjugated oligonucleotide, suggesting enhanced therapeutic potential for targeted delivery. Both companies are now discussing the next steps in the collaboration. VERAXA positions this work as an extension of its antibody-based platforms beyond oncology, while Secarna contributes its AI-enabled OligoCreator platform for oligonucleotide discovery and delivery.
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Filing Explained
Next steps remain at the discussion stage after an early laboratory proof of concept in the antibody-oligonucleotide collaboration.
As a Form 6-K, this report furnishes material information published in the foreign private issuer’s home market; on
The collaboration’s current state is an early research milestone: an antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate candidate combining both parties’ technologies showed greater potency in early in-vitro studies than the equivalent unconjugated oligonucleotide. Both parties are now discussing next steps, leaving the alliance at the discussion stage rather than at an executed follow-on development step.
In practical terms, the proof of concept is laboratory evidence from the reported test, not a patient result. For the company, the immediate consequence is a research milestone for AOCs aimed at autoimmune and chronic immune diseases, rather than a disclosed clinical-stage result.
The specific follow-up identified by the filing is the parties’ next-step discussion after the
Key Figures
Key Terms
antibody oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) medical
in vitro proof-of-concept medical
click chemistry technical
conditionally active T cell engagers medical
bispecific ADCs medical
OligoCreator® platform technical
FAQ
What did VRXA announce in its August 2026 Form 6-K?
What are antibody oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) in the context of VRXA?
What research results did VRXA and Secarna report for their AOC candidate?
How does this AOC collaboration fit into VRXA’s broader strategy?
What technology does Secarna contribute to the collaboration with VRXA?
Does VRXA provide any financial or clinical data with this research milestone?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of August 2026
Commission File Number: 001-43342
Veraxa Biotech AG
Talacker 35
8001 Zurich, Switzerland
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐
Research Milestone in Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugate (AOC) Alliance
On August 24, 2026, the Veraxa Biotech AG (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing initial positive results from their strategic research collaboration with Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG to develop next generation antibody oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) for the treatment of autoimmune and chronic immune diseases.
A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit | Description of Exhibit | |
| 99.1 | Press Release dated August 24, 2026 |
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SIGNATURE
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, thereunto duly authorized.
| VERAXA BIOTECH AG | ||
| Date: August 24, 2026 | By: | /s/ Christoph Antz |
| Name: | Christoph Antz | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| By: | /s/ Oliver Baumann | |
| Name: | Oliver Baumann | |
| Title: | Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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Exhibit 99.1
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Press Release
VERAXA Biotech and Secarna Pharmaceuticals Achieve Research Milestone in
Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugate (AOC) Alliance
Successful in vitro proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential to create novel antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) by combining both parties’ technologies and expertise
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, and MARTINSRIED/MUNICH, GERMANY – August 24, 2026 – VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA; “VERAXA”), an emerging leader in the design and development of next-generation cancer therapeutics, and Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG (“Secarna”), a company redefining the discovery and development of best-in-class oligonucleotide therapeutics, today announced initial positive results from their strategic research collaboration to develop next-generation antibody oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) for the treatment of autoimmune and chronic immune diseases.
In early in vitro studies, an AOC candidate sourced by combining both parties’ technologies and expertise demonstrated greater potency compared to the equivalent unconjugated, naked oligonucleotide, underlining the future therapeutic potential of the approach. Encouraged by these results, both parties are now discussing the next steps in this alliance. AOCs are increasingly seen as a potentially transformative approach in precision medicine, enabling targeted delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides to disease-specific cells. Recent clinical advancements have demonstrated their potential in treating a broad range of diseases by overcoming traditional challenges like poor bioavailability and off-target effects.
“Achieving this milestone in our collaboration with Secarna in less than a year demonstrates that our conjugation technology powered by our proprietary click chemistry can be applied efficiently within partnerships beyond our company’s primary focus areas in solid tumors,” commented Christoph Erkel, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of VERAXA. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Secarna, a leading innovator in oligonucleotide-based therapeutics and unlocking the breadth of opportunities in this emerging drug class.”
“While our oligonucleotide pipeline advances and other delivery strategies for our oligonucleotide medicines continue to be very relevant, antibody-guided oligonucleotides offer distinct advantages due to the selective targeting mechanism provided by the antibody carrier,” said Konstantin Petropoulos, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Secarna Pharmaceuticals.
VERAXA Biotech AG / Talacker 35 / CH-8001 Zürich
VERAXA Biotech GmbH / Im Neuenheimer Feld 584 / 69120 Heidelberg
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About VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA)
At VERAXA, we are building a premier engine for the discovery and development of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including conditionally active T cell engagers, bispecific ADCs and other innovative formats. Powered by a suite of transformative technologies and guided by rigorous quality-by-design principles, we are rapidly advancing our pipeline of TCEs, ADCs, and proprietary BiTAC formats into clinical development and beyond. VERAXA was founded on scientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), a world-renowned institution known for pioneering life science research and cutting-edge technology.
For regular updates about VERAXA Biotech, visit www.veraxa.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Bluesky.
BiTAC® is a registered trademark of VERAXA Biotech GmbH.
About Secarna Pharmaceuticals
Secarna Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company redefining the discovery and development of best-in-class oligonucleotide therapeutics, offering hope to patients facing conditions that are beyond the reach of current approaches and modalities. With the Company’s proprietary AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform, which includes multiple delivery technologies, Secarna identifies and characterizes oligonucleotide therapeutics with unparalleled speed and excellent safety and efficacy. By delivering these novel therapeutics to the cells, organs, or tissues where they are needed, targeted oligonucleotide therapies have the potential to revolutionize treatments for a wide range of difficult-to-treat disorders. Secarna’s unique OligoCreator® platform is leveraged to transform untreatable conditions into treatable ones, profoundly changing the future of medicine. www.secarna.com
Forward-looking Statements
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that address activities, events, or developments that VERAXA Biotech AG (the “Company”) intends, expects, plans, projects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including the Company’s ability to identify, secure, and maintain key personnel and the ability of its technological platform to produce transformative therapeutics. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements contained on this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the Company’s business, particularly those identified or referenced in the risk factors section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and any subsequent reports on Form 6-K. These documents are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company website or from Company Investor Relations.
VERAXA Biotech AG / Talacker 35 / CH-8001 Zürich
VERAXA Biotech GmbH / Im Neuenheimer Feld 584 / 69120 Heidelberg
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In addition, any information contained in this press release was current as of the date presented and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Consequently, the company will not update the information contained in this press release and investors should not rely upon the information as current or accurate after the presentation date.
Contact
| VERAXA Biotech AG – Corporate | Secarna Pharmaceuticals | |
| Christoph Antz, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder investors@veraxa.com |
Konstantin Petropoulos, Ph.D., MBA Chief Executive Officer info@secarna.com | |
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For Media and Investors – U.S. |
For media inquiries MC Services AG | |
| For Media and Investors – EU Mario Brkulj investors@veraxa.com |
VERAXA Biotech AG / Talacker 35 / CH-8001 Zürich
VERAXA Biotech GmbH / Im Neuenheimer Feld 584 / 69120 Heidelberg
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