Avacta upbeat on fresh data from second oncology asset
By Josh White
Date: Thursday 18 Dec 2025
(Sharecast News) - Avacta reported new pharmacology data on its second oncology asset, FAP-Exd (AVA6103), on Thursday, showing sustained tumor exposure and prolonged responses across multiple preclinical models, as the company prepared to begin phase one testing in the first quarter of 2026.
The AIM-traded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical group said the data demonstrated potent, tumor-specific cytotoxicity driven by sustained release of the exatecan payload directly within the tumor via its 'preCISION' delivery platform.
It said that in multiple patient-derived xenograft models, the sustained release mechanism delivered a maximum concentration of exatecan in tumors with exposure lasting more than five days, while plasma exposure was eliminated within two hours.
Avacta said the prolonged intratumoral exposure translated into deeper and more durable antitumor responses than those achieved with conventional exatecan.
The company added that, as exatecan is the most potent topoisomerase I inhibitor tested clinically, delivering it selectively to tumors using the preCISION approach could allow the programme to address multiple solid tumour indications with high unmet medical need.
It also said the clinical development strategy for FAP-Exd has been designed using artificial intelligence, drawing on a large dataset to identify cancer indications most likely to respond based on co-expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and SLFN11.
Avacta said this approach is intended to enable faster and more robust Phase 1 development.
"These data are key to support the clinical development of FAP-Exd (AVA6103) and the profile of this second preCISION medicine in the preclinical setting is tremendous," said Christina Coughlin, chief executive of Avacta.
"The sustained release mechanism developed by Avacta scientists results in a robust concentration of active drug in the tumor over five days with the disappearance from the bloodstream in only two hours.
"This is the exact profile needed to achieve better efficacy with this highly potent topo I inhibitor."
Coughlin said Avacta's AI collaboration had helped refine the target patient population and accelerate trial design.
"Our AI collaboration has led to several key insights into the patient population for the FAP-Exd program and has helped to drive a smarter and faster clinical trial," she said.
"We are eagerly anticipating the next steps for this exciting program in 2026."
At 0910 GMT, shares in Avacta Group were down 0.05% at 71.96p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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