
MediPharm Labs Positioned for Unique Opportunities on Possible Rescheduling of Cannabis in the United States
MediPharm is the only US FDA Audited purpose-built commercial cannabis facility in Canada. One of a handful globally.
The possible rescheduling of cannabis in the US opens new opportunities for MediPharm in categories where the Company maintains a competitive advantage.
TORONTO, Aug. 13, 2025 /CNW/ - MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) ("MediPharm", "MediPharm Labs" or the "Company") a pharmaceutical company specialized in precision-based cannabinoids, is pleased to share insights on its US FDA site registration in relation to the possible rescheduling of cannabis in the United States.
Communication from the US Federal Government and various media reports have indicated that the administration is reviewing the rescheduling of cannabis federally in the US. Speculation is that this will mean changing the classification of cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug.
What rescheduling means for cannabis in the United States:
The rescheduling would recognize the medical benefits of cannabis at a federal level.
Schedule III registration would drastically expand the possibility for US based research on medical cannabis products. Current, Schedule I drug classification puts controls in place that make it difficult for this research to be funded and undertaken today.
This would open up the possibility for the US to expand special access medical cannabis programs, like those in Canada, Australia and Germany.
How MediPharm is best positioned in the event of rescheduling cannabis in the US:
MediPharm has gone through the complex process of a foreign drug manufacturing site registration with the US FDA. Following a week-long inspection by an FDA representative MediPharm was granted the ability to produce, label, test and release drugs.
MediPharm has filed a drug master file (DMF) with the US FDA for CBD active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The active ingredient file is required for drug manufacturers to source CBD for late-stage clinical trials and finished dose products.
MediPharm has already shipped medical cannabis API and cannabis products to the US for research, including a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded clinical trial. This delivery required the US FDA site registration and import permits issued by the US DEA.
Upon possible rescheduling of cannabis, MediPharm Labs holds existing licences and expertise to serve the anticipated expansion of US based research and possible new medical special access programs.
To MediPharm's understanding no other publicly listed cannabis-focused company in North America has this stack of licensing, including an FDA inspected cannabis facility. It takes years of regulatory and quality activities to achieve this suite of licensing, and enable clinical research with pharmaceutical cannabis.
MediPharm Labs continues to maintain their top tier pharmaceutical licenses and registrations to continue its position as a leader in the global cannabis market. The Company will continue to monitor changes in the US scheduling of cannabis to serve researchers and patients with quality cannabis API and products.
About MediPharm Labs
Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the development and manufacture of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis concentrates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. MediPharm Labs develops, formulates, processes, packages and distributes cannabis and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international medical markets.
In 2021, MediPharm Labs received a Pharmaceutical Drug Establishment License from Health Canada, becoming the only company in North America to hold a commercial scale domestic Good Manufacturing License for the extraction of multiple natural cannabinoids. The Company carries out its operations in compliance with all applicable laws in the countries in which it operates.
In 2023, MediPharm acquired VIVO Cannabis Inc. which expanded MediPharm's reach to medical patients in Canada via Canna Farms medical ecommerce platform, and in Australia and Germany through Beacon Medical PTY and Beacon Medical GMBH. This acquisition also included Harvest Medical Clinics in Canada which provides medical cannabis patients with Physician consultations for medical cannabis education and prescriptions.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:
This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, possible rescheduling of cannabis in the United States, the expansion of US based research on medical cannabis products, the expansion of special access medical cannabis programs in the US, opportunities for future clinical research opportunities, future marketable pharmaceutical products, and future Canadian and international commercial products that leverage MediPharm's unique pharmaceutical expertise. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm Labs to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; MediPharm's competitive licensing and FDA site inspection and registration; and other factors discussed in MediPharm Labs' filings, available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm Labs assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Biotech Stocks Rally as Oncology Market Targets $866B by 2034
Issued on behalf of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- Equity Insider News Commentary – Despite alarming federal budget cuts that stand to potentially harm the national battle against cancer, it appears that the private sector continues to step up, with hundreds of millions of VC dollars pouring into oncology ventures so far in 2025. While there has been a recent victory in the Senate to restore $15 million for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP), the prior elimination of the only federal program dedicated solely to researching pancreatic cancer served as a stark reminder of these ongoing funding challenges. This dynamic is setting the stage for a "flight to quality" among investors, who are now more than ever looking for innovative leaders with strong pipelines and clear paths to regulatory execution, a key milestone that can separate a promising biotech from a potential breakthrough like Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC), ProPhase Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRPH), IO Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOBT), Olema Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OLMA), and PDS Biotechnology Corporation (NASDAQ: PDSB). According to a report from Global Market Insights, the global oncology market was estimated at US$345.1 billion in 2025, and while growing at an impressive 10.8% CAGR, is projected to reach US$866.1 billion by 2034 — with $377.1 billion of that coming from the USA alone. Even more optimistic is a report from Vision Research Reports, which sees the global cancer drug sector surpassing US$900 billion in sales by 2034. Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC) has officially entered the most critical phase of its development journey—pursuing a potential registration-enabling trial in first-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) for its flagship asset, pelareorep. In its latest Q2 2025 report, the company confirmed it has begun formal discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aimed at finalizing a pivotal study design, with trial start-up activities expected to begin as early as Q4 2025. For investors and potential partners, this represents a clear transition from promising clinical data to potential regulatory approval in one of medicine's most challenging cancer types. "We have turned the corner from proof-of-concept studies and will be sprinting toward regulatory clarity for the remainder of the year," said Jared Kelly, CEO of Oncolytics. "As we shore up our intellectual property, get a clear registration path for pelareorep, and allow our GOBLET data to mature, we will establish our position as the only platform immunotherapy in gastrointestinal tumors." The strategic focus on mPDAC reflects both compelling clinical results and a significant market opportunity. Pelareorep is a systemically delivered oncolytic virus designed to convert immunologically "cold" tumors—those typically invisible to the immune system—into "hot" tumors that can respond to immunotherapy. In first-line pancreatic cancer studies, pelareorep-based regimens have demonstrated a notable 21.9% two-year overall survival rate, compared to a 9.2% historical benchmark for standard chemotherapy alone. Even more compelling, when pelareorep was combined with chemotherapy and a checkpoint inhibitor, researchers recorded a 62% objective response rate—particularly significant given that checkpoint inhibitors are not currently approved for use in this indication. These results stem from pelareorep's dual mechanism: it both replicates within cancer cells and activates the body's immune response against tumors. "This robust data set, amassed from several studies in cancers that have historically resisted immunotherapeutic approaches, provides definitive validation of pelareorep's immune-mediated mechanism of action," said Dr. Thomas Heineman, Chief Medical Officer of Oncolytics. "We observed tumor biopsy-confirmed virus replication, immune cell activation, and the recruitment of cytotoxic T cells into the TME—all consistent with the durable responses observed in patients with metastatic PDAC and HR+/HER2- breast cancer who were treated with pelareorep." Translational data from the GOBLET and AWARE-1 studies demonstrate how pelareorep transforms the tumor microenvironment, increasing PD-L1 expression, heightening interferon signaling, and mobilizing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the blood—changes that correlate with tumor size reduction. This mechanistic validation, combined with survival data from over 1,100 patients across multiple studies, has solidified the company's decision to prioritize this indication. Oncolytics' execution-focused strategy is being led by Jared Kelly and Andrew Aromando, who both played key roles in Ambrx Biopharma's US$2 billion acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. Kelly was appointed CEO earlier this year, while Aromando recently joined as Chief Business Officer. In line with their focus on capital efficiency, the company has terminated its At-the-Market and Equity Line of Credit facilities, citing sufficient resources to advance key milestones without near-term shareholder dilution. Regulatory advantages are already in place to accelerate development. Pelareorep holds Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for pancreatic cancer from the FDA, meaning the agency has already recognized both the drug's potential and the serious unmet need in this patient population. These statuses streamline review processes and enhance the program's attractiveness to potential pharmaceutical partners. The context underscores the opportunity: pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest common cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 14%. Unlike other cancers where immunotherapies have transformed treatment, mPDAC has largely resisted immunotherapeutic approaches—making pelareorep's immune-activating mechanism particularly promising for this underserved patient population. Back in July, Oncolytics hosted a key opinion leader event featuring gastrointestinal cancer experts who reviewed survival outcomes for patients and biomarker validation. The expert panel reinforced the view that pelareorep's mechanism of activating innate and adaptive immune responses is both biologically sound and commercially relevant for first-line mPDAC treatment. With this latest milestone, Oncolytics is entering a phase where FDA feedback will shape both clinical plans and potential commercial partnerships. If the agency accepts the company's proposed trial framework centered on an overall survival endpoint, the resulting study could provide definitive proof of pelareorep's market potential in mPDAC. The company expects to provide an updated clinical timeline in Q3 2025, with trial start-up activities potentially beginning as early as Q4 2025. With compelling survival data, regulatory designations in place, and an experienced leadership team driving execution, Oncolytics is positioning pelareorep for a pivotal test in one of oncology's most challenging and underserved markets. In other recent industry developments and happenings in the market include: ProPhase Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRPH) announced it received a U.S. patent for its BE-Smart test that can detect early signs of Barrett's esophageal cancer, a deadly disease that kills most patients because it's usually caught too late. The test works with simple brush and forceps biopsies and achieved over 95% accuracy in clinical testing, potentially allowing doctors to catch this cancer when it's still treatable. "This achievement, coming on the heels of our BE-Smart ™ validation demonstrating greater than a 95% technical success rate and dual compatibility with both brush and forceps biopsies, solidifies our leadership in medical innovation and brings us one step closer to transforming early detection and treatment strategies for this serious condition," said Ted Karkus, CEP of ProPhase. "With this newly issued patent, we believe we are well positioned to accelerate commercialization and broaden clinical access to BE-Smart." ProPhase's breakthrough could save thousands of lives by identifying patients at high risk for esophageal cancer before the disease becomes incurable, representing a major advancement in early cancer detection. IO Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOBT) recently announced that its experimental cancer vaccine (Cylembio) meaningfully extended the time before advanced melanoma patients got worse, with patients living 19.4 months without disease progression compared to 11 months for those on standard treatment alone. The vaccine works by training the immune system to attack both cancer cells and the cells that help tumors hide from treatment, and it showed particularly strong results in patients whose tumors were PD-L1 negative and unlikely to respond to current immunotherapies. "In this study, we observed a highly encouraging improvement in progression free survival and consistent trend in overall survival in patients treated with Cylembio," said Mai-Britt Zocca, PhD, President and CEO of IO Biotech. "The magnitude and durability of clinical effect observed consistently across subgroups supports our confidence in Cylembio and its potential as a treatment for advanced melanoma patients. We look forward to engaging with the FDA to determine a potential path to approval based on these data." IO Biotech plans to meet with the FDA this fall to discuss approval for this treatment that could become a new standard of care for the deadliest form of skin cancer. Olema Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OLMA) reported progress on its experimental breast cancer pill called palazestrant, which is designed to completely block estrogen signals that fuel most breast cancers and is currently being tested in two large Phase 3 trials expected to finish in 2026. "Having achieved regulatory alignment on the selected dose for our pivotal palazestrant program during the second quarter, we are focused on accelerating enrollment in OPERA-01, which is on track for top-line data in the second half of 2026," said Sean P. Bohen, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Olema. "Palazestrant's demonstrated activity and combinability with multiple compounds offers the potential for it to become a best-in-class, backbone endocrine therapy for metastatic breast cancer." The company is also developing OP-3136, a pill that targets a different pathway cancer cells use to grow and spread, with early results expected in 2026. Olema's drugs are designed to work where current treatments fail, potentially offering hope to the thousands of breast cancer patients whose tumors eventually become resistant to existing therapies. PDS Biotechnology Corporation (NASDAQ: PDSB) reported promising results from a colorectal cancer study where its experimental treatment achieved impressive response rates, leading to expansion of the trial to treat more patients with this hard-to-treat cancer. "Our second quarter of 2025 and recent weeks have been a productive period for PDS Biotech, highlighted by the continued progress in our VERSATILE-003 Phase 3 clinical trial," said Frank Bedu-Addo, Ph.D., President and CEO of PDS Biotech. "We look forward to publishing the full data set for this trial later this year, as we continue to progress our VERSATILE-003 trial, the only registrational stage trial specifically targeting HPV16-positive HNSCC patients." The company's lead program targets head and neck cancers caused by HPV, the same virus that is a major cause of cervical cancer, and is currently being tested in the only late-stage trial specifically designed for these patients. PDS Biotech's approach uses its immune-boosting technology to help the body's natural defenses better recognize and destroy cancer cells, potentially offering new hope for patients with limited treatment options. DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. Equity Insider is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Oncolytics Biotech Inc. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. which were purchased in the open market, and reserve the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. at any time without any further notice commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ has been approved by Oncolytics Biotech Inc.; this is a paid advertisement, we currently own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. and will buy and sell shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements, and/or other investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between the any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.


Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Cancer Treatment Stocks Surge as $866B Market Attracts Private Investment
Issued on behalf of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- USA News Group News Commentary – Federal budget cuts have put pressure on cancer research efforts in the United States, but private investment is helping to fill the gap, with oncology ventures securing hundreds of millions in funding so far in 2025. The Senate's recent restoration of $15 million for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) was a win, yet its earlier elimination underscored the fragility of public support. Against this backdrop, investors are zeroing in on companies with standout science, solid pipelines, and clear regulatory strategies, including Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC), Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA), Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INO), and Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR). Global Market Insights estimates the global oncology market at US$345.1 billion in 2025 and forecasts it will climb to US$866.1 billion by 2034, growing at a robust 10.8% CAGR. The U.S. alone is expected to contribute $377.1 billion to that total. Vision Research Reports projects an even larger figure for the global cancer drug sector, predicting it will surpass US$900 billion in sales by 2034. Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC) has officially entered the most critical phase of its development journey—pursuing a potential registration-enabling trial in first-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) for its flagship asset, pelareorep. In its latest Q2 2025 report, the company confirmed it has begun formal discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aimed at finalizing a pivotal study design, with trial start-up activities expected to begin as early as Q4 2025. For investors and potential partners, this represents a clear transition from promising clinical data to potential regulatory approval in one of medicine's most challenging cancer types. "We have turned the corner from proof-of-concept studies and will be sprinting toward regulatory clarity for the remainder of the year," said Jared Kelly, CEO of Oncolytics. "As we shore up our intellectual property, get a clear registration path for pelareorep, and allow our GOBLET data to mature, we will establish our position as the only platform immunotherapy in gastrointestinal tumors." The strategic focus on mPDAC reflects both compelling clinical results and a significant market opportunity. Pelareorep is a systemically delivered oncolytic virus designed to convert immunologically "cold" tumors—those typically invisible to the immune system—into "hot" tumors that can respond to immunotherapy. In first-line pancreatic cancer studies, pelareorep-based regimens have demonstrated a notable 21.9% two-year overall survival rate, compared to a 9.2% historical benchmark for standard chemotherapy alone. Even more compelling, when pelareorep was combined with chemotherapy and a checkpoint inhibitor, researchers recorded a 62% objective response rate—particularly significant given that checkpoint inhibitors are not currently approved for use in this indication. These results stem from pelareorep's dual mechanism: it both replicates within cancer cells and activates the body's immune response against tumors. "This robust data set, amassed from several studies in cancers that have historically resisted immunotherapeutic approaches, provides definitive validation of pelareorep's immune-mediated mechanism of action," said Dr. Thomas Heineman, Chief Medical Officer of Oncolytics. "We observed tumor biopsy-confirmed virus replication, immune cell activation, and the recruitment of cytotoxic T cells into the TME—all consistent with the durable responses observed in patients with metastatic PDAC and HR+/HER2- breast cancer who were treated with pelareorep." Translational data from the GOBLET and AWARE-1 studies demonstrate how pelareorep transforms the tumor microenvironment, increasing PD-L1 expression, heightening interferon signaling, and mobilizing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the blood—changes that correlate with tumor size reduction. This mechanistic validation, combined with survival data from over 1,100 patients across multiple studies, has solidified the company's decision to prioritize this indication. Oncolytics' execution-focused strategy is being led by Jared Kelly and Andrew Aromando, who both played key roles in Ambrx Biopharma's US$2 billion acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. Kelly was appointed CEO earlier this year, while Aromando recently joined as Chief Business Officer. In line with their focus on capital efficiency, the company has terminated its At-the-Market and Equity Line of Credit facilities, citing sufficient resources to advance key milestones without near-term shareholder dilution. Regulatory advantages are already in place to accelerate development. Pelareorep holds Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for pancreatic cancer from the FDA, meaning the agency has already recognized both the drug's potential and the serious unmet need in this patient population. These statuses streamline review processes and enhance the program's attractiveness to potential pharmaceutical partners. The context underscores the opportunity: pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest common cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 14%. Unlike other cancers where immunotherapies have transformed treatment, mPDAC has largely resisted immunotherapeutic approaches—making pelareorep's immune-activating mechanism particularly promising for this underserved patient population. Back in July, Oncolytics hosted a key opinion leader event featuring gastrointestinal cancer experts who reviewed survival outcomes for patients and biomarker validation. The expert panel reinforced the view that pelareorep's mechanism of activating innate and adaptive immune responses is both biologically sound and commercially relevant for first-line mPDAC treatment. With this latest milestone, Oncolytics is entering a phase where FDA feedback will shape both clinical plans and potential commercial partnerships. If the agency accepts the company's proposed trial framework centered on an overall survival endpoint, the resulting study could provide definitive proof of pelareorep's market potential in mPDAC. The company expects to provide an updated clinical timeline in Q3 2025, with trial start-up activities potentially beginning as early as Q4 2025. With compelling survival data, regulatory designations in place, and an experienced leadership team driving execution, Oncolytics is positioning pelareorep for a pivotal test in one of oncology's most challenging and underserved markets. In other recent industry developments and happenings in the market include: Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA) reported strong Q2 2025 results with $60 million in total product revenue, driven primarily by its breakthrough melanoma therapy Amtagvi, which treated over 100 patients in the second quarter. "Growth for Amtagvi and Proleukin will continue in the second half of 2025 as existing ATC growth continues and large community practices begin treating patients," said Frederick Vogt, Ph.D., J.D., Interim President and CEO of Iovance. "We expect our first ex-U.S. regulatory approval imminently and remain on track to provide updates on our clinical programs." The company's tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy—which uses a patient's own immune cells to fight cancer—generated $54.1 million in revenue and represents the first FDA -approved T-cell therapy for solid tumors, offering new hope for advanced melanoma patients who have tried other treatments without success. With expanded clinical trials planned for lung cancer and endometrial cancer, plus international approvals expected in Canada and other markets, Iovance is positioned to bring its innovative cancer treatment to patients worldwide. Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE) recently announced promising clinical progress for its off-the-shelf CAR T-cell therapy FT819, which showed lasting responses in lupus patients and received FDA clearance to begin trials for a solid tumor program targeting MICA/B proteins. While primarily focused on autoimmune diseases, the company's next-generation FT836 CAR T-cell therapy represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment as it's designed to target solid tumors without requiring harsh conditioning chemotherapy, potentially making the treatment safer and more accessible. "Building on this momentum, we are also working closely with the FDA under our RMAT designation with the goal of commencing our registrational study for FT819 in SLE and LN in 2026," said Bob Valamehr, Ph.D., MBA, President and CEO of Fate Therapeutics. "Additionally, we continue to strengthen our broader pipeline programs with an extended partnership with Ono Pharmaceuticals, and advancements in bringing our next-generation, off-the-shelf CAR T cells with Sword and Shield™ technology toward the clinic." The company's stem cell-based platform continues to advance multiple programs, including partnerships for HER2-positive solid tumors, positioning Fate as a leader in developing ready-made cancer cell therapies. Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INO) remains on track to submit its application for INO-3107 in the second half of 2025, targeting Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP), a rare cancer-related condition caused by HPV that affects the airways. The company's DNA medicine platform represents a novel approach to treating HPV-related diseases and cancers, with INO-3107 showing significant clinical benefit by reducing the need for repeated surgeries in RRP patients from an average of 4.1 procedures annually to just 0.9 procedures. "We believe that INO-3107 could become the preferred treatment option for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) patients and their physicians—a treatment option with the potential to change the trajectory of this disease," said Dr. Jacqueline Shea, President and CEO of INOVIO. "I look forward to building on the significant progress of this past quarter and providing updates as we work toward a potential approval date in mid-2026." Beyond RRP, Inovio's technology platform is designed to treat various HPV-related cancers and other tumors by teaching the body's immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells. With breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA and plans for a trial involving 100 patients, INO-3107 could become the first DNA-based therapy approved for treating this serious cancer-related condition. Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) reported impressive Phase 2b data for rezpegaldesleukin in treating moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, with the company positioning this immune system regulator as a first-in-class treatment for autoimmune diseases. While primarily focused on autoimmune conditions, Nektar's pipeline includes NKTR-255, a treatment designed to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer, which is being tested in multiple ongoing clinical trials with various partners. "As a first-in-class, T regulatory cell biologic, rezpegaldesleukin is poised to become an important novel mechanism to treat millions of patients with autoimmune disorders," said Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Nektar. "Finally, we are making significant progress on advancing preclinical studies with a new bispecific antibody, NKTR-0166, which combines the TNFR2 epitope with a validated antibody target." The company's technology platform creates novel treatments that could potentially address both autoimmune diseases and cancer by enhancing the immune system's cancer-fighting abilities. With additional data expected from hair loss trials in December 2025 and continued development of next-generation programs, Nektar is advancing a unique approach to immune system therapy that could benefit millions of patients with serious diseases. CONTACT: USA NEWS GROUP [email protected] (604) 265-2873 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Oncolytics Biotech Inc. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. which were purchased in the open market, and reserve the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. at any time without any further notice commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ has been approved by Oncolytics Biotech Inc.; this is a paid advertisement, we currently own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. and will buy and sell shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements, and/or other investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between the any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.


CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
S&P/TSX composite down more than 100 points, U.S. stock markets also lower
The TSX ticker is shown in Toronto on May 10, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn TORONTO — Canada's main stock index was down more than 100 points in late-morning trading, weighed down by losses in the technology, base metal and industrial sectors, while U.S. stock markets were also in the red. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 110.56 points at 27,882.87. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 126.92 points at 44,795.35. The S&P 500 index was down 6.86 points at 6,459.72, while the Nasdaq composite was down 18.04 points at 21,695.10. The Canadian dollar traded for 72.47 cents US compared with 72.64 cents US on Wednesday. The September crude oil contract was up 85 cents US at US$63.50 per barrel. The December gold contract was down US$22.50 at US$3,385.80 an ounce. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.