HCW Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ: HCWB) presented data on its lead T-cell engager candidate HCW11-018b at the American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting held April 17-22 in San Diego, according to a company statement.

The preclinical data revealed that HCW11-018b uses a mechanism called cis-binding to regulate immune cell activity within tumor environments. This tetra-valent T-cell engager targets tissue factor and showed tumor shrinkage and metastasis prevention in animal models across various solid tumor types.

The compound demonstrated the ability to penetrate tumor microenvironments with anti-pancreatic cancer activity in xenograft animal models. Company data indicated HCW11-018b is activated specifically within tumor microenvironments, which may affect its efficacy and tolerability profile.

"HCW11-018b exhibits remarkable anti-tumor activities with high tolerability in animal models," said Dr. Hing C. Wong, the company's founder and chief executive officer. "The IND application is projected to be filed in the first half of 2027."

The company plans to pursue clinical development for solid tumors, with particular focus on pancreatic and ovarian cancer. HCW Biologics expects to file an Investigational New Drug application in the first half of 2027 to seek authorization for clinical studies in pancreatic cancer patients.

HCW11-018b is part of the company's "Big BiTE" program based on its TRBC platform technology. The poster presentation was titled "An innovative approach to improve bispecific T-cell engagers for solid tumor therapy."

HCW Biologics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing fusion immunotherapeutics for diseases involving chronic inflammation, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, and senescence-associated conditions.