Avacta Therapeutics has presented compelling data on its second clinical candidate, AVA6103 (FAP-Exd), at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026, highlighting its robust activity in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models with varying fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression. This candidate, leveraging the **pre CISION®** platform, demonstrates a more favorable pharmacokinetic profile compared to the marketed antibody-drug conjugate Enhertu®, including enhanced tumor penetration and selective payload delivery.

The significance of these findings lies in AVA6103’s ability to deliver the topoisomerase I inhibitor exatecan directly to the tumor-stroma interface, maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. The data revealed that AVA6103 achieved a tumor concentration maximum (Cmax) over one log higher than Enhertu® and a threefold increase in the Tumor Selectivity Index (TSI), indicating a substantial improvement in targeting efficacy. The ongoing FOCUS-01 Phase 1 trial aims to validate these preclinical results in patients with advanced cancers, with initial data expected later this year.

The implications of this research extend to the broader field of targeted cancer therapies, particularly in how pre CISION® technology could redefine drug development timelines. By demonstrating enhanced delivery mechanisms that reduce dose-limiting toxicities, AVA6103 may shift paradigms in the design of peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), offering a promising avenue for overcoming resistance in cancer treatment. This approach not only broadens the therapeutic window but also sets a precedent for integrating AI-driven biomarker strategies to optimize patient selection in clinical trials.

Source: globenewswire.com