{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"167212","rtpr_id":"nGNE6LHhQs-20261013","ticker":"VRXA","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["VRXA"],"title":"VERAXA Biotech Presents in vivo Proof-of-Concept Data for BiTAC®-ADC Technology at World ADC Congress","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-10-13T11:00:00.066Z","article_body":"In vivo data confirm activation of prodrug payload inside tumor cells\nfollowing systemic administration of BiTAC-ADC molecules leading to potent\nanti-tumor activity\n\nZURICH, SWITZERLAND – October 13, 2026 -- VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA;\n“VERAXA”), an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, today\npresented first in vivo proof-of-concept data and additional in vitro data\nvalidating its novel BiTAC-ADC technology platform at the 17(th) World ADC\nCongress in San Diego, CA, USA. The in vivo data demonstrate that a\nsystemically applied, single dose of the two-component BiTAC-ADC selectively\ntriggered a tumor-specific response resulting in a significant reduction in\ntumor volume, while continuing to show differentiated safety features and the\npotential to overcome systemic toxicity, the primary limitation of current\nADCs.\n\nThe in vivo data presented at the World ADC Congress showed that treatment\nwith BiTAC-ADCs resulted in strong tumor regression in a xenograft breast\ncancer model even at a single dose of 3 mg/kg. As intended, BiTAC-ADCs\nutilizing one non-targeted component, thereby only delivering one component to\nthe tumor, showed no significant effect. A control ADC, engineered by VERAXA\nusing the same conjugation and linker-payload technology and with the same\ndrug-antibody ratio (DAR) as its BiTAC-ADC counterpart, performed similarly.\nIn the BiTAC-ADC treatment arm, no decrease in body weight could be observed.\n\n“These novel datasets on the BiTAC-ADC platform underline the rapid progress\nour team has made in demonstrating the potentially transformative safety\nbenefits of BiTAC-ADCs compared to conventional ADCs,” said Christoph Erkel,\nPh.D., Chief Scientific Officer at VERAXA. “While BiTAC-TCEs remain our\npriority, the rapid validation of our BiTAC-ADC concept bodes well for\nestablishing a second pillar in our R&D and partnering strategy towards safer\ndrugs for solid tumor patients.”\n\n“Demonstrating that BiTAC-ADCs can reach the tumor site following\nintravenous administration, induce a specific effect only upon arrival of both\nBiTAC components, and shrink the tumor in a living organism is a significant\nplatform milestone and validates its underlying concept,” added Paul Sauter,\nPh.D., Senior Director and Department Head ADC Tech & Chemistry at VERAXA.\n\nThe poster presented at the World ADC congress also expanded on previously\npublished in vitro studies and shows that BiTAC-ADCs can discriminate between\ncancer and healthy cells, require both BiTAC-ADC constructs to be co-targeted\nto the tumor site and do not release active toxins in the periphery. The\nBiTAC-ADC concept was also successfully evaluated across a wide range of\ncancer cell lines and against several validated ADC targets. Taken together,\nthe data sets underline the potential for this novel therapeutic concept with\ncomparable efficacy to a conventional ADC, but a mechanistically highly\ndifferentiated safety profile.\n\nThe BiTAC therapeutic strategy is designed to unlock a new level of precision\nin cancer treatment via dual-targeting using two complementary precursors and\nenabling a tumor-restricted activation of the desired therapeutic effect.\nApplied to the development of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), the technology\ndelivers a systemically inactive prodrug and a cell-impermeable proactivator\nthrough two separate antibodies, each addressing a defined tumor-associated\nantigen. While the single BiTAC-ADC precursors are therefore not toxic by\ndesign, the selective internalization of both components into the same cancer\ncell leads to dose-dependent cytotoxicity.\n\nThe data poster presented will be made available on the Company’s website\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=aA9iTO2IASqIEhCBJ6jNJGIV4CjPyjzQPhlVv8mWXbBw0zzwAsHwzV-aSM_RNDWXoO9laj-cHciazV4WF2M0mzQEyo_Sd8DcpgCVDa-TSjXUQoxJdDppRCYADEh8-buE). \n\n\n\nAbout VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA)\n\nAt VERAXA, we are building a premier engine for the discovery and development\nof next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific T cell\nengagers, bispecific ADCs and other innovative formats. Powered by a suite of\ntransformative technologies and guided by rigorous quality-by-design\nprinciples, we are rapidly advancing our pipeline of ADCs and proprietary\nBiTAC formats into clinical development and beyond. VERAXA was founded on\nscientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory\n(EMBL), a world-renowned institution known for pioneering life science\nresearch and cutting-edge technology.\n\nFor regular updates about VERAXA Biotech, visit https://investors.veraxa.com/\nor follow us on LinkedIn\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=K43FQwn7pe30aTEXXeTH7KkokmdrMTElTIj8brZbSbvNm_7MoD-DrABd1yAXv77BEhveQr621prCY0x3qpGLjGzHVHXjx4F0slyabs1wL9xRkrKZ2OQeEh4ZdaHoEFpo),\nX\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=8REEnZNqCAPvD0kRcEWKlyxORWTKRZB5oIZ9yDtUBK1laMvs-6K33VWjHMsu1dbbwliZawNPmbA7LKLImHjYtA==)\n(formerly known as Twitter) and Bluesky\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=OsZG6pFgUBNhR-WkcC7AkcfQOhLPMzSJHh3qCdmkqSvAqac7XLMujRhKkts7tfDu92juPUgPAeVOqnE8_Bv8SKDWEeqS9dDWCMxqCyHjsOeuqsUkeJWXVhta3UOmTbNf).\n\nBiTAC® is a registered trademark of VERAXA Biotech GmbH.\n\n\n\nForward-looking Statements\n\nThis press release may contain \"forward-looking statements\" within the meaning\nof the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that\naddress activities, events, or developments that VERAXA Biotech AG (the\n\"Company\") intends, expects, plans, projects, believes, or anticipates will or\nmay occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including the\nCompany’s ability to successfully translate the results obtained in\npreclinical research into clinical development and marketed therapeutic\nproducts. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations\nand involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could\ndelay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and\nresults to differ materially from current expectations, including the\nCompany’s need for substantial additional funding, which may not be\navailable on acceptable terms or at all; the uncertainties inherent in drug\ndevelopment, including the risk that results of preclinical studies or\nearly-stage clinical trials may not be predictive of results in later-stage\ntrials or in humans, and that interim, topline or preliminary data may change\nas more patient data become available; the risk that regulatory authorities,\nincluding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency\nand other comparable authorities, may disagree with the Company’s trial\ndesigns, interpretations of data or regulatory strategies, or may not approve\nits product candidates; the Company’s ability to enter into and maintain\ncollaboration, license or partnering arrangements on favorable terms;\ncompetition from other oncology therapies; and the Company’s ability to\nobtain, maintain, defend and enforce intellectual property protection for its\nproduct candidates and technologies. No forward-looking statement can be\nguaranteed.\n\nForward-looking statements contained in this press release should be evaluated\ntogether with the many uncertainties that affect the Company's business,\nparticularly those identified or referenced herein and in the risk factors\nsection of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and any\nsubsequent reports on Form 6-K. These documents are available from the\nSecurities and Exchange Commission, the Company website or from Company\nInvestor Relations.\n\nIn addition, any information contained in this press release was current as of\nthe date presented and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates\nas of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking\nstatements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any\nobligation to do so, even if our estimates change, whether as a result of new\ninformation, future events or otherwise. Consequently, the company will not\nupdate the information contained in this press release, and investors should\nnot rely upon the information as current or accurate after the presentation\ndate.\n\nAttachment\n*     20261013_PR_BiTAC_ADC_in_vivo_PoC_FINAL\n(https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/a321d3df-8685-4cc0-9105-45717722c9e5)\n\nContact\n\nVERAXA Biotech AG - Corporate\nChristoph Antz, Ph.D.\nChief Executive Officer, Co-Founder\ninvestors@veraxa.com\n\nFor Media and Investors – U.S.\nBrandon Weiner\nICR Healthcare\nVERAXA@icrhealthcare.com\n\nFor Media and Investors – EU\nMario Brkulj\nmedia@veraxa.com","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNE6LHhQs-20261013","title":"VERAXA Biotech Presents in vivo Proof-of-Concept Data for BiTAC®-ADC Technology at World ADC Congress","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"VRXA","created":"2026-10-13T11:00:00.066Z","tickers":["VRXA"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"In vivo data confirm activation of prodrug payload inside tumor cells\nfollowing systemic administration of BiTAC-ADC molecules leading to potent\nanti-tumor activity\n\nZURICH, SWITZERLAND – October 13, 2026 -- VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA;\n“VERAXA”), an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, today\npresented first in vivo proof-of-concept data and additional in vitro data\nvalidating its novel BiTAC-ADC technology platform at the 17(th) World ADC\nCongress in San Diego, CA, USA. The in vivo data demonstrate that a\nsystemically applied, single dose of the two-component BiTAC-ADC selectively\ntriggered a tumor-specific response resulting in a significant reduction in\ntumor volume, while continuing to show differentiated safety features and the\npotential to overcome systemic toxicity, the primary limitation of current\nADCs.\n\nThe in vivo data presented at the World ADC Congress showed that treatment\nwith BiTAC-ADCs resulted in strong tumor regression in a xenograft breast\ncancer model even at a single dose of 3 mg/kg. As intended, BiTAC-ADCs\nutilizing one non-targeted component, thereby only delivering one component to\nthe tumor, showed no significant effect. A control ADC, engineered by VERAXA\nusing the same conjugation and linker-payload technology and with the same\ndrug-antibody ratio (DAR) as its BiTAC-ADC counterpart, performed similarly.\nIn the BiTAC-ADC treatment arm, no decrease in body weight could be observed.\n\n“These novel datasets on the BiTAC-ADC platform underline the rapid progress\nour team has made in demonstrating the potentially transformative safety\nbenefits of BiTAC-ADCs compared to conventional ADCs,” said Christoph Erkel,\nPh.D., Chief Scientific Officer at VERAXA. “While BiTAC-TCEs remain our\npriority, the rapid validation of our BiTAC-ADC concept bodes well for\nestablishing a second pillar in our R&D and partnering strategy towards safer\ndrugs for solid tumor patients.”\n\n“Demonstrating that BiTAC-ADCs can reach the tumor site following\nintravenous administration, induce a specific effect only upon arrival of both\nBiTAC components, and shrink the tumor in a living organism is a significant\nplatform milestone and validates its underlying concept,” added Paul Sauter,\nPh.D., Senior Director and Department Head ADC Tech & Chemistry at VERAXA.\n\nThe poster presented at the World ADC congress also expanded on previously\npublished in vitro studies and shows that BiTAC-ADCs can discriminate between\ncancer and healthy cells, require both BiTAC-ADC constructs to be co-targeted\nto the tumor site and do not release active toxins in the periphery. The\nBiTAC-ADC concept was also successfully evaluated across a wide range of\ncancer cell lines and against several validated ADC targets. Taken together,\nthe data sets underline the potential for this novel therapeutic concept with\ncomparable efficacy to a conventional ADC, but a mechanistically highly\ndifferentiated safety profile.\n\nThe BiTAC therapeutic strategy is designed to unlock a new level of precision\nin cancer treatment via dual-targeting using two complementary precursors and\nenabling a tumor-restricted activation of the desired therapeutic effect.\nApplied to the development of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), the technology\ndelivers a systemically inactive prodrug and a cell-impermeable proactivator\nthrough two separate antibodies, each addressing a defined tumor-associated\nantigen. While the single BiTAC-ADC precursors are therefore not toxic by\ndesign, the selective internalization of both components into the same cancer\ncell leads to dose-dependent cytotoxicity.\n\nThe data poster presented will be made available on the Company’s website\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=aA9iTO2IASqIEhCBJ6jNJGIV4CjPyjzQPhlVv8mWXbBw0zzwAsHwzV-aSM_RNDWXoO9laj-cHciazV4WF2M0mzQEyo_Sd8DcpgCVDa-TSjXUQoxJdDppRCYADEh8-buE). \n\n\n\nAbout VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA)\n\nAt VERAXA, we are building a premier engine for the discovery and development\nof next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific T cell\nengagers, bispecific ADCs and other innovative formats. Powered by a suite of\ntransformative technologies and guided by rigorous quality-by-design\nprinciples, we are rapidly advancing our pipeline of ADCs and proprietary\nBiTAC formats into clinical development and beyond. VERAXA was founded on\nscientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory\n(EMBL), a world-renowned institution known for pioneering life science\nresearch and cutting-edge technology.\n\nFor regular updates about VERAXA Biotech, visit https://investors.veraxa.com/\nor follow us on LinkedIn\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=K43FQwn7pe30aTEXXeTH7KkokmdrMTElTIj8brZbSbvNm_7MoD-DrABd1yAXv77BEhveQr621prCY0x3qpGLjGzHVHXjx4F0slyabs1wL9xRkrKZ2OQeEh4ZdaHoEFpo),\nX\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=8REEnZNqCAPvD0kRcEWKlyxORWTKRZB5oIZ9yDtUBK1laMvs-6K33VWjHMsu1dbbwliZawNPmbA7LKLImHjYtA==)\n(formerly known as Twitter) and Bluesky\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=OsZG6pFgUBNhR-WkcC7AkcfQOhLPMzSJHh3qCdmkqSvAqac7XLMujRhKkts7tfDu92juPUgPAeVOqnE8_Bv8SKDWEeqS9dDWCMxqCyHjsOeuqsUkeJWXVhta3UOmTbNf).\n\nBiTAC® is a registered trademark of VERAXA Biotech GmbH.\n\n\n\nForward-looking Statements\n\nThis press release may contain \"forward-looking statements\" within the meaning\nof the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that\naddress activities, events, or developments that VERAXA Biotech AG (the\n\"Company\") intends, expects, plans, projects, believes, or anticipates will or\nmay occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including the\nCompany’s ability to successfully translate the results obtained in\npreclinical research into clinical development and marketed therapeutic\nproducts. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations\nand involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could\ndelay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and\nresults to differ materially from current expectations, including the\nCompany’s need for substantial additional funding, which may not be\navailable on acceptable terms or at all; the uncertainties inherent in drug\ndevelopment, including the risk that results of preclinical studies or\nearly-stage clinical trials may not be predictive of results in later-stage\ntrials or in humans, and that interim, topline or preliminary data may change\nas more patient data become available; the risk that regulatory authorities,\nincluding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency\nand other comparable authorities, may disagree with the Company’s trial\ndesigns, interpretations of data or regulatory strategies, or may not approve\nits product candidates; the Company’s ability to enter into and maintain\ncollaboration, license or partnering arrangements on favorable terms;\ncompetition from other oncology therapies; and the Company’s ability to\nobtain, maintain, defend and enforce intellectual property protection for its\nproduct candidates and technologies. No forward-looking statement can be\nguaranteed.\n\nForward-looking statements contained in this press release should be evaluated\ntogether with the many uncertainties that affect the Company's business,\nparticularly those identified or referenced herein and in the risk factors\nsection of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and any\nsubsequent reports on Form 6-K. These documents are available from the\nSecurities and Exchange Commission, the Company website or from Company\nInvestor Relations.\n\nIn addition, any information contained in this press release was current as of\nthe date presented and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates\nas of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking\nstatements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any\nobligation to do so, even if our estimates change, whether as a result of new\ninformation, future events or otherwise. Consequently, the company will not\nupdate the information contained in this press release, and investors should\nnot rely upon the information as current or accurate after the presentation\ndate.\n\nAttachment\n*     20261013_PR_BiTAC_ADC_in_vivo_PoC_FINAL\n(https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/a321d3df-8685-4cc0-9105-45717722c9e5)\n\nContact\n\nVERAXA Biotech AG - Corporate\nChristoph Antz, Ph.D.\nChief Executive Officer, Co-Founder\ninvestors@veraxa.com\n\nFor Media and Investors – U.S.\nBrandon Weiner\nICR Healthcare\nVERAXA@icrhealthcare.com\n\nFor Media and Investors – EU\nMario Brkulj\nmedia@veraxa.com"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-13T11:00:00.184150009Z","server_sent_at_ms":1791889200184},"received_at":"2026-10-13T11:00:00.234Z","source_url":null},"analysis":{"id":"155536","press_release_id":"167212","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Biotechnology","sector":"Health Care"},"redFlags":["Preclinical xenograft data only — no human efficacy or safety evidence yet","Forward-looking statements highlight need for substantial additional funding"],"eventType":"clinical_trial","narrative":"VERAXA Biotech presented first in vivo proof-of-concept data for its BiTAC-ADC platform at the 17th World ADC Congress, showing significant tumor volume reduction from a single systemically administered 3 mg/kg dose in a xenograft breast cancer model.\n\nThe data also showed a differentiated safety profile, with no decrease in body weight observed and no effect from non-targeted components, supporting the platform's tumor-restricted activation design.\n\nThe company says the validation establishes a potential second R&D and partnering pillar alongside its priority BiTAC-TCE programs, though the results remain preclinical and translation to humans is unproven.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Platform validation story — first in vivo PoC for BiTAC-ADC supports a second technology pillar but remains preclinical."},"keyFigures":{"drugName":"BiTAC-ADC","phaseOfTrial":"Preclinical (xenograft breast cancer model)","customDimensions":{"observed_effect":"significant tumor volume reduction, no body-weight decrease","single_dose_mg_kg":3}},"quotedText":"These novel datasets on the BiTAC-ADC platform underline the rapid progress our team has made in demonstrating the potentially transformative safety benefits of BiTAC-ADCs compared to conventional ADCs","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Christoph Erkel, Ph.D.","role":"Chief Scientific Officer"},{"name":"Paul Sauter, Ph.D.","role":"Senior Director and Department Head ADC Tech & Chemistry"},{"name":"Christoph Antz, Ph.D.","role":"Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder"}],"products":["BiTAC-ADC","BiTAC-TCE","BiTAC"],"companies":[{"name":"VERAXA Biotech AG","ticker":"VRXA","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)","relationship":"foundational research institution"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"First in vivo proof-of-concept data for the BiTAC-ADC platform showing tumor regression in a xenograft model is a genuine platform validation milestone, but it is preclinical data at a congress — no human trial results, revenue, or regulatory event."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"VRXA"},"globalImportance":25,"audienceRelevance":20,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"small-cap","eventGravity":"preclinical_data_presentation","sectorWeight":"biotech-platform-milestone","clinicalStageOnly":true}},"event_type":"clinical_trial","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"VERAXA Biotech presented first in vivo proof-of-concept data for its BiTAC-ADC platform at the 17th World ADC Congress, showing significant tumor volume reduction from a single systemically administered 3 mg/kg dose in a xenograft breast cancer model.\n\nThe data also showed a differentiated safety profile, with no decrease in body weight observed and no effect from non-targeted components, supporting the platform's tumor-restricted activation design.\n\nThe company says the validation establishes a potential second R&D and partnering pillar alongside its priority BiTAC-TCE programs, though the results remain preclinical and translation to humans is unproven.","key_figures":{"drugName":"BiTAC-ADC","phaseOfTrial":"Preclinical (xenograft breast cancer model)","customDimensions":{"observed_effect":"significant tumor volume reduction, no body-weight decrease","single_dose_mg_kg":3}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Christoph Erkel, Ph.D.","role":"Chief Scientific Officer"},{"name":"Paul Sauter, Ph.D.","role":"Senior Director and Department Head ADC Tech & Chemistry"},{"name":"Christoph Antz, Ph.D.","role":"Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder"}],"products":["BiTAC-ADC","BiTAC-TCE","BiTAC"],"companies":[{"name":"VERAXA Biotech AG","ticker":"VRXA","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)","relationship":"foundational research institution"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:5c812bd9e28b810d","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-10-13T11:00:06.181Z","global_importance":25,"audience_relevance":20,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"small-cap","eventGravity":"preclinical_data_presentation","sectorWeight":"biotech-platform-milestone","clinicalStageOnly":true}},"durationMs":5943,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}