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.
In preclinical animal models, splicing modulation induced cancer cell death while activating both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Akari reports that PH1 is active against cancer cells carrying oncogenic drivers including KRAS, BRAF, ARV7 and FGFR3 fusions.
AKTX-101 targets Trop2, while AKTX-102 aims at CEACAM5
AKTX-101 targets the Trop2 receptor and uses a proprietary linker to deliver PH1 into the tumor. In preclinical studies it showed prolonged survival relative to ADCs with traditional payloads. It also showed prolonged survival as a single agent and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, and the company sees potential synergy with them. These results are preclinical only.
Akari is also developing AKTX-102, which targets CEACAM5, a tumor antigen expressed across multiple solid tumors. The candidate combines PH1 with a novel antibody construct.
Paid consultants run the investor relations program
JTC Team and Virtual Investor Co. are paid consultants to Akari. Both are investor relations and corporate communications firms. Akari lists the need for additional capital among the risk factors that could affect its development plans.