Aim Bulletin
Avacta meets 'important' first-quarter milestones
By Josh White
Date: Thursday 09 Apr 2026
(Sharecast News) - Avacta Therapeutics said on Thursday that it had made "important milestones" in the first quarter of 2026, as the clinical-stage oncology company advanced its preCISION platform and secured additional funding to support development through key data readouts later this year.
The AIM-traded group confirmed that its first Gen Two programme, AVA6103 (FAP-Exd, preCISION-enabled exatecan), received clearance for its Investigational New Drug application in January, with three specialist oncology centres now open for enrolment in the US.
It said the first patient was treated on 31 March in the FOCUS-01 Phase 1 trial.
Avacta also highlighted favourable preclinical data presented in February, showing enhanced tumour penetration and delivery versus Enhertu, with one log higher maximal tumour concentration and a threefold improvement in tumour selectivity index.
In its Gen One programme, AVA6000 (preCISION-enabled doxorubicin), the company reported positive interactions with health authorities, resulting in the removal of the lifetime maximum dose restriction following favourable cardiac safety data.
Agreement was also reached on dose selection for subsequent trials.
Avacta said it raised £10m through an oversubscribed placing and subscription in March, extending its cash runway early into the first quarter of 2027 while retaining full ownership of its pipeline.
The company added that chief executive Christina Coughlin and chief financial officer Brian Hahn presented at the 46th Annual TD Cowen Health Care Conference in Boston in early March.
Looking ahead, Avacta said updated preclinical and translational data for AVA6103 would be presented at the American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting on 21 April, with initial clinical data expected in the second half of 2026.
A further clinical update for AVA6000 from Phase 1a and 1b cohorts, including efficacy and cardiac safety data, was anticipated in the first half.
The firm also expected to progress its Gen Three dual payload programme, AVA6207, with payload and clinical candidate selection in the second half and additional preclinical data to be presented at the same conference.
"Avacta continued to build momentum, having reached a number of important milestones in the first quarter of 2026, with treatment of the first patient in the FOCUS-01 trial of AVA6103 being a critical step forward in the development of our preCISION platform," said chief executive Christina Coughlin.
"The sustained release mechanism allows the modulation of the kinetics of payload release, and also opens up the platform to many therapeutic modalities over the Gen One approach.
"Furthermore, our AVA6000 (faridoxorubicin) program is especially well positioned following the updates from health authorities which allow the lifting of the lifetime maximum dosing and dose selection.
"Our first, second and third generation assets are all attracting substantial interest from multiple parties for potential partnering.
"With our recent financing completed, we now have funding in place beyond multiple value inflection points through the rest of 2026 and we are excited about this potentially transformative period for the company, delivering benefit for our patients and our shareholders alike."
At 1251 BST, shares in Avacta Group were up 1.45% at 69.19p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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