Avacta Therapeutics
Avacta Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing peptide drug conjugates designed to deliver toxic chemotherapy payloads selectively within the tumour microenvironment.
The company's delivery approach uses a short engineered peptide that masks the active payload until it is cleaved by fibroblast activation protein, a protease concentrated in tumour-supporting cells.
This mechanism concentrates drug activity at the tumour site while limiting systemic toxicity.
Two candidates are currently in clinical development across multiple solid tumour indications.
Latest News
Avacta Reports 11.4-Month Median PFS for Faridoxorubicin in Salivary Gland Cancer at ESMO 2026
Avacta Therapeutics has reported a median progression-free survival of 11.4 months for faridoxorubicin (AVA6000) in 32 salivary gland cancer patients treated at 310 mg/m² and above in its Phase 1a/1b trial, against historical benchmarks of 6 to 6.7 months from earlier studies. The data, presented at ESMO 2026, included three partial responses, with first efficacy data for next-generation candidate AVA6103 expected in H1 2027.
Avacta Presents AVA6103 Preclinical Data in Enhertu-Resistant Tumour Models at ESMO
Avacta Therapeutics has presented preclinical data at ESMO 2026 showing its FAP-targeted drug conjugate AVA6103 produced partial responses in mouse tumour models and stable disease in gastric tumours that had progressed on Enhertu. The Phase 1a FOCUS-01 trial has completed enrolment at its fourth dose level, with first efficacy data expected in H1 2027.
Avacta Raises £12.5M to Extend Cash Runway into Q2 2027
Avacta has raised £12.5 million through a placing and subscription at 68p per share, a discount of about 5.6% to the previous closing price, with its Chairman and three other directors among the subscribers. The funds extend its cash runway into Q2 2027, covering the continuing Phase 1b trial of AVA6000, first efficacy data for AVA6103 in H1 2027, and selection of a clinical candidate for its dual-payload programme AVA6207.