AKTX-101

TAMPA – October 29, 2026 -- Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKTX) will present its PH1 antibody drug conjugate (ADC) payload at five oncology, ADC and investor conferences in the United States and China during September 2026, as it looks for pharma partners and investors ahead of a planned first-in-human trial by mid-2027.

CEO Abizer Gaslightwala will deliver a keynote and featured presentations. The company says it will discuss global R&D collaboration, platform partnerships and pipeline expansion.

Akari fills a September calendar across Boston, Shanghai, WuXi and New York

The schedule runs from September 9 to September 29:

Tampa, FL and London – October 29, 2026 -- Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKTX) has appointed Vatnak Vat-Ho as Chief Business Officer, adding an executive who has held senior roles in oncology transactions totaling more than $25 billion in aggregate value.

Vat-Ho will run corporate strategy, partnering, licensing and investor engagement

Vat-Ho will lead corporate and business development at the oncology biotech, which is developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) built on a novel RNA splicing-disrupting payload called PH1. His remit covers corporate strategy, partnering and licensing, and investor engagement as the company advances its lead TROP2-targeted ADC, AKTX-101, toward the clinic.

He brings more than 20 years of experience across oncology business development, biopharmaceutical strategy, equity research and healthcare investing. His transaction record involves Pfizer, Exelixis, BioNTech, Merck KGaA, Roivant and Roche/Genentech.

TAMPA – October 27, 2026 -- Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKTX) is planning preclinical studies that pair its PH1 spliceosome-modulating payload with Whitehawk Therapeutics' topoisomerase I inhibitor (TOP1i) ADC platform, CEO Abizer Gaslightwala said in a Virtual Investor "What This Means" interview.

Whitehawk studies target dual-payload synergy

The preclinical work is designed to assess synergy between the two payload classes and to generate data that could support future development of next-generation ADCs. The announcement does not disclose financial terms for the collaboration.

Gaslightwala said recent strategic transactions show the market placing growing value on novel payload innovation. Akari argues PH1 extends beyond conventional payload approaches, and management believes the Whitehawk tie-up supports the platform's broad applicability across future oncology programs.

TAMPA, FL – October 27, 2026 -- Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKTX) is pairing its proprietary PH1 spliceosome-modulating payload with WhiteHawk Therapeutics' TOP1 inhibitor antibody drug conjugate (ADC) platform to test a dual-payload approach in oncology. President and CEO Abizer Gaslightwala laid out the rationale in a new CEO Corner segment released today. The release does not disclose financial terms.

Akari combines two payload mechanisms in one research program

The strategic research collaboration joins PH1, which targets RNA splicing, with WhiteHawk's TOP1 inhibitor technology. Gaslightwala said the ADC field is moving beyond single-payload development toward combinations of complementary mechanisms. Akari expects the pairing to broaden therapeutic activity and to demonstrate the applicability of PH1 across multiple uses.

Tampa – October 27, 2026 -- Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKTX) reported a second-quarter 2026 net loss of $4.8 million, up from $1.9 million a year earlier, as research and development spending tripled to $2.1 million ahead of a planned Phase 1 start for its lead antibody drug conjugate (ADC), AKTX-101, in mid-2027.

Akari raised $8.6 million gross in the quarter, lifting cash to $7.7 million

The company closed a private placement with $5.5 million in gross proceeds and booked $3.1 million in gross proceeds from warrant exercises. Total gross financing was approximately $8.6 million, with approximately $8.0 million in net proceeds. Cash stood at $7.7 million on June 30, 2026, up from $5.2 million at December 31, 2025. Akari said long-term strategic investors led the financing.

TAMPA – – October 27, 2026 -- Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKTX) reported that its TROP2-targeted ADC AKTX-101 slowed tumor growth in urothelial cancer models with limited response to Padcev or acquired resistance to Trodelvy. The company is targeting a Phase 1 start in mid-2027.

AKTX-101 inhibits tumor growth where Padcev shows limited response

In the UM-UC-14 advanced urothelial carcinoma model, which represents metastatic urothelial cancer, AKTX-101 achieved statistically significant tumor growth inhibition versus vehicle. Padcev (enfortumab vedotin), approved as first-line therapy in this setting, had limited responsiveness on the tumor in the same model, according to Akari.

Trodelvy-resistant tumors slow again after switch to PH1 payload

Tumors first treated with Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan) developed resistance and resumed growth. When they were switched to AKTX-101, growth slowed again.

TAMPA – October 27, 2026 -- Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKTX) is targeting a First-In-Human trial of its lead antibody drug conjugate (ADC), AKTX-101, by mid-2027, after starting IND-enabling studies. The company laid out its investment case in the Virtual Investor "Why Now" on-demand conference.

CEO Abizer Gaslightwala argued that now is a pivotal time for Akari. He cited a fast-changing ADC landscape and rising industry demand for differentiated payload technologies.

Akari pitches PH1 splicing payload as alternative to conventional ADC toxins

Akari's proprietary PH1 platform is a spliceosome modulator designed to disrupt RNA splicing inside cancer cells. Current ADCs rely on microtubule inhibitors and DNA-damaging agents. According to the company, PH1 is meant to address limitations of those conventional payloads.

TAMPA – October 27, 2026 -- Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKTX) plans to begin Phase 1 clinical development of its lead antibody drug conjugate, AKTX-101, in mid-2027, with the compound now moving through IND-enabling toxicology and safety studies and large-scale GMP manufacturing.

CEO Abizer Gaslightwala laid out the strategy in a new CEO Corner segment. He argues that payload differentiation will matter more as ADCs move into front-line therapy and patients develop resistance to current payload classes, leaving few follow-on options.