Tampa, Florida, USA & London, UK | July 21, 2026
Akari Therapeutics announced a strategic research collaboration with Whitehawk Therapeutics to evaluate the potential of combining Akari’s proprietary PH1 spliceosome-modulating payload technology with Whitehawk’s topoisomerase I inhibitor (TOP1i) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform. The collaboration aims to conduct a series of focused preclinical studies designed to assess the compatibility, synergy, and therapeutic potential of a dual-payload ADC approach, generating data that could support future development opportunities. Under the agreement, Akari will lead the design, execution, and scientific evaluation of the research program, while both companies will jointly assess study outcomes to determine whether the findings justify broader development partnerships. The collaboration reflects a shared strategy to develop next-generation ADC therapies capable of delivering enhanced anti-tumor activity by combining complementary payload technologies with differentiated mechanisms of action.
Dual-Payload Strategy Aims to Expand the Potential of ADC Therapies
The research collaboration will explore whether combining PH1, Akari’s RNA spliceosome-modulating payload, with Whitehawk’s TOP1 inhibitor payload can produce superior anti-cancer activity compared with conventional single-payload ADCs. The preclinical program includes multiple workstreams focused on evaluating payload compatibility, biological synergy, and optimized tumor-targeting performance across selected cancer models. By integrating two complementary mechanisms into a single therapeutic platform, the companies hope to overcome limitations associated with current ADC technologies while improving cancer cell killing and reducing the risk of treatment resistance. Interim data generated during the collaboration will help guide future development strategies and may provide the scientific basis for expanding the partnership into broader oncology programs.
PH1 Technology Offers a Novel Mechanism for Targeting Cancer Cells
Akari’s PH1 payload represents a differentiated approach to ADC development by targeting RNA splicing, a critical cellular process involved in gene expression and cancer cell survival. Unlike many currently approved ADCs that rely on microtubule inhibitors or DNA-damaging payloads, PH1 functions as a spliceosome modulator, disrupting RNA processing within tumor cells while simultaneously stimulating both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that AKTX-101, Akari’s lead ADC candidate targeting Trop2, produces prolonged survival and significant anti-tumor activity compared with traditional ADC payloads. The PH1 platform has also shown promising activity against cancers driven by KRAS, BRAF, ARV7, FGFR3 fusions, and other oncogenic alterations, while demonstrating potential synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Collaboration Supports Future Development of Innovative Cancer Therapies
Company executives emphasized that the collaboration represents an important opportunity to validate the broader applicability of PH1 technology while expanding the therapeutic potential of Whitehawk’s ADC platform. According to Abizer Gaslightwala, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akari Therapeutics, the studies are expected to provide additional validation of PH1’s differentiated mechanism and support development of a potentially first-in-class dual-payload ADC platform for oncology. Dave Lennon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Whitehawk Therapeutics, noted that combining differentiated payload technologies could represent the next evolution of ADC development beyond the company’s existing portfolio. The collaboration begins immediately, with interim data updates expected as research progresses. Meanwhile, Akari continues advancing its oncology pipeline, including AKTX-101, currently in IND-enabling studies with a planned first-in-human clinical trial in mid-2027, and AKTX-102, a second ADC candidate targeting CEACAM5 across multiple solid tumors. Together, these initiatives reinforce both companies’ commitment to developing innovative antibody-drug conjugates capable of delivering more effective and durable cancer treatments.
Source: Akari Therapeutics press release
