NovaBridge Biosciences (NBP) provided an update on its clinical pipeline at the 12th Annual Cantor Fitzgerald Global Healthcare Conference on Thursday, September 10, 2026, detailing accelerated timelines for its lead oncology asset and a vision therapy candidate in ophthalmology.
The Rockville, Maryland-based company, which has a market capitalization of approximately $195 million, saw its shares trade at $1.69 on the day of the presentation — down roughly 47% over the prior six months and well below a 52-week high of $6.79.
Givastomig, a bispecific antibody targeting Claudin 18.2 with conditional 4-1BB activation, remains the company's most advanced program. Patient enrollment has expanded to approximately 70, up from 17 reported in July 2025 at ESMO GI, according to CEO and physician Srishti Gupta. Updated Phase I-B data is scheduled for presentation at ESMO in October 2026, followed by a post-conference webcast covering trial design.
A Phase II study is already enrolling, and Gupta said the company has discussed a Phase III registrational trial with the FDA geared toward an accelerated approval pathway, potentially with Fast Track designation. That trial is expected to begin by year-end 2026. Dosing evaluated in early studies includes 8 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg.
Gupta highlighted that givastomig can target tumors with low Claudin expression — down to a CPS score of 1 — compared with standard monoclonal antibody zolbetuximab (Vyloy), which is defined around a Claudin score of 75 and a CPS of 2 or higher. The broader patient eligibility could roughly double the addressable population for gastric cancer, she said.
In combination with PD-1 inhibitors plus FOLFOX or CAPOX, the main treatment-related signal has been increased gastritis activity, which management characterized as manageable, localized, and not requiring treatment discontinuation.
Phase I-B studies have also been initiated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and biliary tract cancer, with data readouts expected in 2027. Gupta noted that the combined market opportunity across those indications could potentially double the addressable population beyond gastric cancer alone.
In ophthalmology, NovaBridge majority-owned subsidiary Visara Therapeutics is developing VIS-101, a VEGF-Ang2 bispecific antibody in collaboration with China-based Everest Medicines. Phase IIa data showed about 67% of patients did not require retreatment at six months and 50% at nine months, suggesting a potential twice-yearly dosing regimen versus the current standard of four injections per year. A randomized Phase IIb study of approximately 100 patients is currently enrolling in China, with Phase III multi-regional trials expected to begin in 2027.
Gupta described NovaBridge as a global biotechnology company built around three pillars: access to innovation, an advancing clinical team, and disciplined capital allocation with flexible pathways to move candidates toward patients. The company recently hired a chief commercial officer to integrate market access thinking earlier in development and is exploring partnerships with European commercial companies to navigate structural pricing and reimbursement challenges.
"A therapy only really matters when it gets to a patient," Gupta said. "Innovation only matters when it actually gets to a patient."
