BOSTON and LONDON, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akari Therapeutics, Plc (Nasdaq: AKTX), an oncology biotechnology company developing novel payload antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), today announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and inaugural appointment of Dr. Sara Hurvitz.
"The formation of our SAB marks an important step in advancing Akari's scientific and clinical strategy, and we are honored to welcome Dr. Sara Hurvitz as its inaugural member," commented Abizer Gaslightwala, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akari Therapeutics. "In addition to her wealth of knowledge around ADCs, Dr. Hurvitz brings exceptional clinical expertise in the management of cancers across all stages of disease, with a focus on neoadjuvant treatments, targeted therapies for HER2-positive, estrogen receptor-positive, and triple-negative breast cancers, as well as immune-based approaches. Her deep understanding of both established and emerging treatment paradigms will be invaluable as we continue to develop and position our pipeline to address areas of high unmet medical needs in oncology. We look forward to leveraging her expertise as we continue to drive the development of novel first-in-class immuno-oncology ADCs forward."
Dr. Hurvitz added, "I am delighted to join Akari's Scientific Advisory Board and contribute to advancing innovative, targeted treatment options for patients with cancer. I believe there is tremendous opportunity to build on scientific progress and address areas where patients still face limited options with the hope of meaningfully improving patient outcomes. Throughout my career, I've witnessed the transformative impact of ADCs in oncology, particularly in breast cancer where targeted delivery has reshaped therapeutic outcomes. I am encouraged by the preclinical data Akari has demonstrated to date and look forward to helping guide the scientific direction and clinical development of its programs as they move toward the next generation of cancer treatments."
Dr. Sara Hurvitz is an internationally recognized expert in oncology and a pioneer in the clinical development of ADCs and other targeted therapies for breast cancer. Additionally, as a leader in clinical and laboratory-based oncology research, she has led numerous global clinical trials spanning all phases of development and has been instrumental in advancing ADCs and immune-based treatments that have redefined standards of care in breast cancer.
Dr. Hurvitz currently serves as Professor of Medicine and Division Head of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and as the Senior Vice President of the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She previously directed the breast oncology program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she joined the faculty in 2006, and co-directed the Santa Monica-UCLA Outpatient Oncology Practice. She also formerly served as the medical director of the clinical research unit for UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Over her distinguished career, Dr. Hurvitz has won numerous awards, among them the Marni Levine Memorial Breast Cancer Research Award 2008 through 2015 and the European Society of Medical Oncology Breast Cancer Award in 2023. She has an active clinical practice specializing in the treatment of women with breast cancer and continues to be involved in designing, implementing, and leading multiple national and international clinical trials testing new targeted therapies.
Dr. Hurvitz earned her MD from the University of Southern California. She served an internship/residency at UCLA, was Chief Resident of internal medicine, and completed a hematology-oncology fellowship at UCLA in 2006. Dr. Hurvitz received board certification in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology. She is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research and the European Society of Medical Oncology.
The Company continues to expand its current ADC pipeline to encompass multiple targets, such as AKTX-101 (Trop2 ADC with PH1 payload), as well as future programs (AKTX-102, undisclosed target with PH1 payload).
About Akari Therapeutics
Akari Therapeutics is an oncology biotechnology company developing next-generation spliceosome payload antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Utilizing its innovative ADC discovery platform, the Company has the ability to generate ADC candidates and optimize them based on the desired application to any target of interest. Akari's lead candidate, AKTX-101, targets the Trop2 receptor on cancer cells and with a proprietary linker, delivers its novel PH1 payload directly into the tumor. Unlike current ADCs that use tubulin inhibitors and DNA damaging agents as their payloads, PH1 is a novel payload that is a spliceosome modulator designed to disrupt RNA splicing within cancer cells. This splicing modulation has been shown in preclinical animal models to induce cancer cell death while activating immune cells to drive robust and durable activity. In preclinical studies, AKTX-101 has shown to have significant activity and prolonged survival, relative to ADCs with traditional payloads. Additionally, AKTX-101 has the potential to be synergistic with checkpoint inhibitors and has demonstrated prolonged survival as both a single agent and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, as compared to appropriate controls. The Company plans to continue advancing its lead asset, as well as other undisclosed targets with this novel payload.
For more information about the Company, please visit www.akaritx.com and connect on X and LinkedIn.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes express or implied forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, about the Company that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future performance of the Company. Actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Words such as "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "future," "opportunity" "will likely result," "target," variations of such words, and similar expressions or negatives of these words are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements regarding the ability of the Company to advance its product candidates for the treatment of cancer and any other diseases, and ultimately bring therapies to patients. These statements are based on the Company's current plans, estimates and projections. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific. A number of important factors, including those described in this communication, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect future results and may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include, without limitation: the Company's need for additional capital; the potential impact of unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, costs, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition and losses on the future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of the business; risks related to global as well as local political and economic conditions, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; potential delays or failures related to research and/or development of the Company's programs or product candidates; risks related to any loss of the Company's patents or other intellectual property rights; any interruptions of the supply chain for raw materials or manufacturing for the Company's product candidates, including as a result of potential tariffs; the nature, timing, cost and possible success and therapeutic applications of product candidates being developed by the Company and/or its collaborators or licensees; the extent to which the results from the research and development programs conducted by the Company, and/or its collaborators or licensees may be replicated in other studies and/or lead to advancement of product candidates to clinical trials, therapeutic applications, or regulatory approval; uncertainty of the utilization, market acceptance, and commercial success of the Company's product candidates; risks related to competition for the Company's product candidates; and the Company's ability to successfully develop or commercialize its product candidates. While the foregoing list of factors presented here is considered representative, no list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no, and hereby disclaims any, obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release except as required by law.
Investor Relations Contact
JTC Team, LLC
Jenene Thomas
908-824-0775
AKTX@jtcir.com
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