Superior potency demonstrated versus leading TROP2 ADCs across bladder, lung and breast tumor models

Novel RNA spliceosome-targeting payload PH1 shows potential to overcome Topoisomerase I inhibitor resistance

Preclinical data support advancement of AKTX-101 into Phase 1 studies in a rapidly evolving TROP2 ADC class expected to reach ~$12B by 20331

TAMPA, Fla. and LONDON, April 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akari Therapeutics, Plc (NASDAQ:AKTX), an oncology biotechnology company developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with a novel RNA splicing modulator payload, today announced the presentation of positive preclinical data for its lead TROP2-targeting ADC, AKTX-101, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026. Access the poster here.

Unlike current TROP2-targeting ADCs that use Topoisomerase I Inhibitor (Inh.) payloads, AKTX-101 has the potential to address resistance to Topoisomerase I Inh. ADCs and contribute to durable anti-tumor efficacy due to the payload's unique cytotoxic and immune-activating mechanisms of action.

The preclinical data compares the performance of AKTX-101 versus TROP2 ADCs with Topoisomerase I Inh. payloads in the killing of different cancer types driven by different cancer genes (oncogenes). AKTX-101's ability to kill cancer cells at lower concentrations vs. TROP2 ADCs using Topoisomerase I Inh. payloads suggests that AKTX-101 is a more potent drug.

The preclinical data was published recently as an abstract in Cancer Research, an AACR journal.

Here, AKTX-101 demonstrated greater potency and/or greater maximum cancer cell killing relative to TROP2 ADC Topoisomerase I Inh. payloads in cancers of the bladder, lung and breast. AKTX-101 demonstrated sub-nanomolar potency in all bladder cancer lines tested, a key tumor in which first-in-human clinical trials for AKTX-101 are planned.

AKTX-101 also demonstrated sub-nanomolar potency in several non-small cell lung cancer cell lines driven by EGFR, BRAF, and SMARCA4, as well as potent cell killing in HER2 breast cancer cell lines with inherent resistance to Topoisomerase I Inh. ADCs such as trastuzumab deruxtecan (ENHERTU™).