Coherus Oncology Publishes Research on Anti-CCR8 Monoclonal Antibody
Coherus Oncology announced the publication of preclinical and clinical biomarker research in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics describing the high selectivity, picomolar binding affinity and significant effector mediated killing of CCR8+ cells of its investigational anti-CCR8 monoclonal antibody. The findings show that the antibody, now named tagmokitug, demonstrated no off-target binding, and selectively eliminates CCR8+ T regulatory cells and not other T cells, supporting its potential as an anticancer treatment. "This publication presents the robust pharmacology of tagmokitug in preclinical and clinical studies, and with a selectivity profile and potent binding and killing of CCR8+ T regulatory cells and not other immune cells. These data provide evidence that tagmokitug has the potential for a differentiated profile," said Theresa LaVallee, PhD, Chief Scientific and Development Officer at Coherus. "The data show a high abundance of CCR8 target expression in a broad range of solid tumors suggesting the promise of the tagmokitug program. We look forward to advancing the development as we continue to explore tagmokitug in patients with solid tumors." Key highlights from this publication include: CCR8 is highly abundant and preferentially over expressed in Treg cells in solid tumors and that most solid tumors have a high level of CCR8. Anti-tumor and tumor immune remodeling activity of anti-CCR8 antibody treatment was observed in mouse tumor models and activity was enhanced with anti-PD-1 antibody combination treatment. Tagmokitug has robust characteristics with picomolar binding affinity, exquisite selectivity for CCR8 with no off target binding and potent target cell killing by a bind and kill mechanism that induces tumor regression in mice. In the first-in-human clinical study, proof of mechanism is established with translational data showing tagmokitug administration leads to selective reductions in CCR8+ Tregs and not other T cell subsets in cancer patients.
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- Clinical Trial Collaboration: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has agreed to supply Coherus Oncology (CHRS) with its bispecific antibody pasritamig to evaluate its combination with Coherus' monoclonal antibody tagmokitug for a phase 1b trial in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, highlighting the synergistic potential in cancer treatment between the two companies.
- Trial Funding Arrangement: Coherus will sponsor the phase 1b clinical trial, which not only provides a crucial clinical validation opportunity for its product tagmokitug but also has the potential to enhance its market competitiveness through successful trial outcomes.
- Retention of Commercial Rights: Both companies will retain commercial rights to each other's compounds, whether as monotherapies or combination therapies, which helps facilitate independent brand development while laying the groundwork for future collaborations.
- Antibody Characteristics: Pasritamig is considered a T-cell engaging bispecific antibody, while tagmokitug is an anti-CCR8 cytolytic monoclonal antibody, and this technological combination may offer new treatment options for prostate cancer patients, further driving innovation in the biopharmaceutical sector for both companies.
- Market Potential: The global oncology therapy market is projected to reach $668 billion by 2034, and Oncolytics Biotech is seizing investment opportunities through execution-focused registration study designs in this rapidly growing sector.
- Leadership Enhancement: Oncolytics Biotech appointed John McAdory as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Operations and Yujun Wu as Vice President, Head of Biostatistics, both bringing extensive experience in late-stage oncology trial execution and regulatory strategy to advance the company's registration-directed programs in gastrointestinal cancers.
- Breakthrough Efficacy Data: The company reported that pelareorep achieved a 33% objective response rate in second-line KRAS-mutant microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer patients, significantly surpassing the historical 6-11% response rate for chemotherapy alone, indicating its potential in difficult-to-treat populations.
- FDA Study Design Approval: Oncolytics Biotech has secured FDA alignment on its Phase 3 study design for pelareorep in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer, marking the imminent launch of the only immunotherapy registration trial currently planned for this disease, further solidifying its market position.
- Market Potential: The global oncology therapy market is projected to reach $668 billion by 2034, creating significant investment opportunities for Oncolytics Biotech as it capitalizes on execution-ready platforms in this rapidly growing sector.
- Leadership Strengthening: Oncolytics Biotech appointed John McAdory as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Operations and Yujun Wu as Vice President of Biostatistics, both bringing extensive experience in late-stage oncology trial execution and regulatory strategy, which is expected to accelerate the company's registration-directed programs in gastrointestinal cancers.
- Breakthrough Efficacy Data: The company reported that pelareorep achieved a 33% objective response rate in second-line KRAS-mutant microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer patients, significantly exceeding the historical benchmark of 6-11% for chemotherapy alone, laying a strong foundation for future clinical applications.
- FDA Study Design Approval: Oncolytics Biotech has secured FDA alignment on its Phase 3 study design for pelareorep in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer, marking the imminent launch of the only immunotherapy registration trial currently planned for this challenging therapeutic area, further solidifying its market position.

- Promise of Anti-CCR8 Antibody: Oppenheimer has upgraded Coherus Oncology (CHRS) to outperform, citing the significant potential of its anti-CCR8 monoclonal antibody tagmokitug for various cancers, with a price target of $10 representing a 529% upside from the January 22 close.
- Significant Stock Surge: Following Oppenheimer's rating, Coherus shares rose approximately 31% in Friday trading, reflecting strong market confidence in its new therapies and positive investor sentiment.
- Clinical Trial Advancements: Tagmokitug is currently in phase 2 trials as a fourth-line treatment for colorectal cancer and in phase 1 for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, gastric, and esophageal cancers, indicating its potential for multiple applications in cancer treatment.
- Growth Potential in Combination Therapies: Analyst Jay Olson noted that Coherus' sole marketed product, Loqtorizi (toripalimab), a PD-1 inhibitor for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, could see growth as part of combination therapies, further enhancing the company's competitive position in the market.
- Coherus Performance: Coherus Oncology, Inc. (CHRS) rose 9.09% in after-hours trading, closing at $1.73 with a $0.14 gain, indicating strong investor confidence in its future prospects.
- Sensei Biotech Surge: Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc. (SNSE) surged 10.06% after hours, finishing at $12.47 with a $1.14 increase, reflecting positive market expectations for its products.
- uniQure Significant Jump: uniQure N.V. (QURE) posted a 9.96% rise in after-hours trading, closing at $24.95 with a $2.26 gain, suggesting investor optimism regarding its R&D progress.
- IO Biotech Strategic Exploration: Although IO Biotech, Inc. (IOBT) had no fresh news on Thursday, its stock still gained 4.19%, closing at $0.50, indicating market interest in its exploration of strategic alternatives, including potential mergers or asset sales.

- Market Transformation: The precision medicine sector is projected to grow from $138 billion in 2026 to over $537 billion by 2035, marking a shift towards modular biologics that creates substantial market opportunities for companies like GT Biopharma.
- New Drug Application: GT Biopharma submitted an IND for GTB-5550 to the FDA in December 2025, targeting the B7-H3 protein to treat various solid tumors, which is expected to significantly enhance the company's competitiveness in cancer treatment.
- Clinical Trial Progress: The planned Phase 1 trial for GTB-5550 will evaluate its efficacy across seven distinct metastatic disease cohorts, potentially providing critical clinical data to further advance the company's product pipeline.
- Dual Program Advancement: GT Biopharma is concurrently advancing its Phase 1 trial of GTB-3650, having successfully treated multiple patients with a favorable safety profile, which is expected to significantly expand its addressable patient population.









