LEXINGTON, Mass., July 17, 2026
Agenus Inc. announced that three investigator-sponsored studies evaluating its investigational botensilimab plus balstilimab (BOT+BAL) combination have been accepted for poster presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026, taking place October 23–27, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. The accepted abstracts span neoadjuvant colorectal cancer, refractory metastatic colorectal cancer, and advanced sarcoma, highlighting the growing clinical interest in BOT+BAL across multiple difficult-to-treat solid tumors. The presentations will feature data from both prospective clinical research and real-world studies, expanding the evidence supporting Agenus’ immuno-oncology strategy. The company believes these investigator-led studies reinforce the potential of combining botensilimab, an investigational Fc-enhanced CTLA-4 antibody, with balstilimab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, to improve immune responses in patients with cancers that have historically shown limited benefit from conventional immunotherapy.
Neoadjuvant Study Explores Earlier Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer
One of the featured presentations will highlight updated findings from the NEOASIS study, which evaluates BOT+BAL as a neoadjuvant treatment for patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer before surgery. Although this patient population differs biologically from the microsatellite stable/proficient mismatch repair (MSS/pMMR) colorectal cancer population targeted in Agenus’ planned ROBBIN clinical program, the study provides important scientific evidence supporting the earlier use of immunotherapy in colon cancer treatment. Researchers will present updated clinical data examining how the combination therapy may enhance anti-tumor immune activity prior to surgical intervention, potentially improving treatment outcomes. The NEOASIS findings contribute to the growing body of research evaluating whether introducing immune checkpoint therapies during earlier stages of disease can increase long-term clinical benefit while expanding treatment opportunities for patients with colorectal cancer.
Real-World Studies Expand Evidence in Advanced Solid Tumors
The remaining two presentations will focus on real-world clinical experience with BOT+BAL in patients with heavily pretreated advanced cancers. One poster will present results from a Spanish expanded access program evaluating the combination in patients with advanced sarcoma, while another multicenter AGEO study will report outcomes in refractory MSS/pMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, a patient population that has historically demonstrated poor responsiveness to existing immunotherapies. These investigator-led studies provide valuable real-world evidence complementing ongoing clinical development by evaluating treatment effectiveness outside traditional randomized clinical trials. Together, the data help broaden understanding of BOT+BAL across multiple tumor types and disease settings while supporting continued investigation of the combination in patients with limited therapeutic options after progression on standard treatments.
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ESMO Presentations Strengthen Agenus’ Immuno-Oncology Development Strategy
The acceptance of three independent investigator-sponsored presentations at ESMO Congress 2026 underscores the growing scientific and clinical interest in Agenus’ BOT+BAL immunotherapy platform. As the company continues expanding its oncology pipeline, these studies provide additional evidence supporting the exploration of combination immune checkpoint blockade across both early-stage and advanced cancers. Agenus’ broader immuno-oncology portfolio includes antibody therapeutics, adoptive cell therapies through MiNK Therapeutics, and integrated research, manufacturing, and global clinical development capabilities. The ESMO presentations further reinforce the company’s strategy of advancing combination immunotherapy approaches designed to overcome resistance mechanisms, extend the benefits of immune checkpoint inhibition, and address significant unmet needs in colorectal cancer, sarcoma, and other solid tumors. Continued investigator-led research is expected to provide valuable insights that may guide future clinical development and potential registration strategies for BOT+BAL.
Source:Agenus press release
