Agenus

Agenus released updated data from the phase‑2 NEST study: at median follow‑up times of 32.2 months (NEST‑1) and 23.5 months (NEST‑2) no colorectal cancer recurrences were observed. In pMMR/MSS tumors a pathological response rate of 59% was achieved, including 41% major pathological responses and 32% complete responses; all four dMMR/MSI‑H tumors showed a major pathological response. 88% of patients with detectable preoperative ctDNA cleared it before surgery, and ctDNA remained undetectable after resection in all tested patients. There were no treatment‑related grade‑4 events, deaths, or study discontinuations; Agenus is preparing the global randomized phase‑3 ROBBIN study. » More on de.investing.com

Agenus, through its subsidiary Agenus West, amended the terms of a promissory note with Ocean 1181 and extended the maturity of the outstanding principal of $24.75 million to November 30, 2029. The loan remains subject to 13.0% p.a. interest; interest and extension-fee payments will each be made half in cash and half in common stock. The shares will be issued under exemptions from the Securities Act, and other material loan terms remain unchanged. The company simultaneously reports liquidity shortfalls, rising short-term liabilities and an ongoing private placement of up to $85 million (expandable), while pre-commercial revenues are increasing. » More on de.investing.com

Agenus has appointed Marco Tullio Marcucci, effective immediately, as a Class II director on the board; his term runs until the 2029 annual meeting or until a successor is elected. Marcucci was added to the corporate governance and nominating committee and will receive $75,000 in annual cash compensation for non‑employee directors plus $7,500 in committee fees, as well as an option for 7,500 common shares with a three‑year vesting schedule (first vesting after one year, no vesting before Aug. 5, 2027). The company said there are no special arrangements, family relationships or reportable transactions related to the appointment; the information comes from an SEC filing. » More on de.investing.com

Agenus reported Q2 revenue of $34.5 million and a net loss of $0.6 million versus −$30.0 million a year earlier. In July the company closed an oversubscribed private placement with immediate gross proceeds of about $85 million; milestone‑dependent warrants could generate up to an additional $255 million. Agenus plans the global phase‑3 ROBBIN study of neoadjuvant treatment for microsatellite‑stable high‑risk colorectal cancer (stage II/III) with Botensilimab plus Balstilimab in roughly 850 patients, with the first patient expected in Q1 2027. The study targets an estimated 38,000 newly diagnosed U.S. patients annually and an annual revenue potential of over $7 billion. The company also suspended the planned financing commitment for the BATTMAN study; cash and cash equivalents at quarter end totaled $18.7 million. » More on de.investing.com

Agenus announced that three abstracts on the botensilimab and balstilimab combination were accepted for poster presentations at the ESMO 2026 Congress in Madrid. The studies cover neoadjuvant mismatch repair–deficient colorectal cancer, refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (microsatellite-stable/mismatch repair–proficient), and advanced sarcomas; about 1,300 patients were treated across the phase 1/2 studies. The company has a market capitalization of USD 210 million, recently turned profitable but continues to burn cash rapidly; the stock rose 49% last week and 60% year-to-date. » More on de.investing.com