HCW Biologics Inc. (HCWB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing fusion immunotherapeutics for cancer, autoimmune diseases and senescence-associated diseases, announced new findings supporting its TGF-ß trap and IL-15 fusion as a potential immunotherapeutic moiety.
Human studies showed that the fusion promoted expansion of progenitor CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, provided clinical benefit and was well tolerated in cancer patients.
The fusion also demonstrated activity against HIV-1 and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in relevant animal models.
HCW Biologics has incorporated the TGF-ß/IL-15 fusion into its second-generation T-cell engager (TCE) and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) programs using its proprietary TRBC drug development platform.
The company's lead TCE candidate, HCW11-018b, combines the TGF-ß trap and IL-15 fusion with a tissue-factor-targeting BiTE designed to stimulate immune activity while countering immunosuppression and poor T-cell infiltration in solid tumors.
HCW11-040, the lead candidate in the second-generation ICI program, combines pembrolizumab with the TGF-ß/IL-15 moiety.
In preclinical studies, the candidate demonstrated greater immune-cell activation, expansion, tumor infiltration and cancer-cell cytotoxicity compared with pembrolizumab alone.
Both HCW11-018b and HCW11-040 are currently at the IND-enabling stage, with HCW Biologics planning to initiate clinical studies in 2027.
HCWB has traded between $1.50 and $39.96 over the past year. Currently, HCWB closed trading at $2.31.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Economic News
What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
September 04, 2026 15:08 ET The job report and foreign trade data were the main economic news from the U.S. in the first week of September. Elsewhere in North America, the Canadian central bank announced its latest policy decision. Inflation data from Eurozone was the highlight in Europe. The latest interest rate decision by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand drew attention in Asia.