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HCW Biologics stock soars on novel cancer immunotherapy breakthrough

Published 25/08/2025, 13:34
© Reuters.
HCWB
2.21%

Investing.com -- HCW Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ:HCWB) stock surged 48% after the company announced successful development of a second-generation immune checkpoint inhibitor that showed superior performance against solid tumors in preclinical studies.

The Miramar, Florida-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company revealed that its pembrolizumab-based immunotherapeutic demonstrated potent anti-pancreatic cancer activities, outperforming pembrolizumab alone in both laboratory tests and humanized mouse models. The company’s novel approach uses its proprietary TRBC platform technology to create fusion molecules that can simultaneously release tumor immune surveillance blockade, neutralize immunosuppressive cytokines, and activate immune cells.

Dr. Hing C. Wong, Founder and CEO of HCW Biologics , highlighted the limitations of current immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), noting they "only induce an overall response in less than 20% of cancer patients within their FDA-approved indications." Despite this limitation, ICIs generated over $40 billion in worldwide sales in 2024, representing a significant market opportunity for improved therapies.

The company’s second-generation immune checkpoint inhibitor is designed to block checkpoint receptors while engaging costimulatory receptors - described by the company as "taking the foot off the brake and simultaneously hitting the gas" to revive anti-tumor function of T cells.

HCW Biologics is particularly targeting difficult-to-treat solid tumors, including pancreatic and ovarian cancers. Dr. Wong will present detailed results from the IND-enabling studies at Nova Southeastern University on September 12, 2025.

The company is also exploring the potential of its pembrolizumab-based inhibitor as a senomorphic drug for removing senescent cells to treat age-related diseases, expanding its potential applications beyond cancer treatment.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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