Medicus Pharma Ltd. (NASDAQ: MDCX), based in Philadelphia, said on Sept. 8, 2026, that it is shifting its development priorities toward precision oncology, with a central focus on CD228V. The company described CD228V as a second-generation antibody-drug conjugate targeting melanotransferrin, also known as CD228, in solid tumors. Medicus said it will concentrate initial development on melanoma, specifically patients with relapsed or refractory disease.
The company said CD228V has an active U.S. Investigational New Drug application and a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study designated NCT06799533. Medicus also said it is seeking partnerships for its other programs.
In its SkinJect program, Medicus said it is narrowing its focus to Gorlin syndrome rather than broader basal cell carcinoma applications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the start of SKNJCT-005, a registrational Phase 2b study in patients with Gorlin syndrome who present with multiple basal cell carcinomas. Medicus said it intends to pursue Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease designation from the FDA for SkinJect in Gorlin syndrome. The company described Gorlin syndrome as a rare autosomal dominant disease in which patients develop numerous basal cell carcinoma lesions over their lifetime.
Medicus also outlined plans for Teverlix. The company said it will prioritize a Phase 2 program in acute urinary retention involving approximately 126 patients, alongside PRECISION-E2, a Phase 2a study in women with symptomatic endometriosis. Development of Teverlix in advanced prostate cancer is expected to be advanced through potential partnerships.
Dr. Raza Bokhari, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Medicus, said: “We are concentrating our capital and organizational resources on programs where we believe focused clinical development and execution may create the greatest value and improve patient outcomes.”
