SEONGNAM and SEOUL, South Korea, June 15, 2026
Rznomics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on RNA-based gene therapies, announced interim clinical results from its ongoing Phase 1/2a study evaluating RZ-001 (Taspitimagene advec) in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). The data were presented during an oral session at the Asian Society for Neuro-Oncology Annual Meeting (ASNO 2026) in Kanazawa, Japan, by Dr. Chae-Yong Kim of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The presentation highlighted encouraging safety findings and early signs of clinical activity in one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer.
Interim Data Demonstrates Favorable Safety and Disease Control
RZ-001 is an investigational RNA editing-based anticancer gene therapy developed using Rznomics’ proprietary RNA trans-splicing ribozyme platform. The therapy is designed to selectively express therapeutic genes within tumor cells, inducing targeted cancer cell death while minimizing effects on healthy tissue. According to the interim analysis, 20 patients completed screening and 10 patients have been enrolled and treated in the ongoing trial. The study reported no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and no treatment-related Grade 4 or higher adverse events. Most adverse events observed were associated with underlying disease conditions common in glioblastoma patients rather than the investigational treatment. Importantly, several patients experienced prolonged disease control and suppression of tumor recurrence lasting beyond six months, suggesting potential clinical benefit.
Novel RNA Editing Therapy Addresses Significant Unmet Need
Recurrent glioblastoma remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat, with patients frequently experiencing disease progression within a few months following standard therapies. Existing treatment options provide limited benefit, and many immunotherapy approaches have failed to demonstrate meaningful efficacy in clinical studies. The interim findings presented at ASNO 2026 indicate that RZ-001 may offer a differentiated therapeutic mechanism capable of addressing the substantial unmet medical need in this patient population. Dr. Chae-Yong Kim noted that the observation of patients maintaining disease control beyond six and even nine months is particularly encouraging given the typically rapid recurrence associated with glioblastoma.
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Rznomics Expands RNA-Based Oncology Pipeline
Rznomics continues to advance the clinical development of RZ-001 across multiple oncology indications. In addition to recurrent glioblastoma, the therapy is currently being evaluated for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Earlier this year, the HCC program achieved a significant regulatory milestone after receiving Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation from the U.S. FDA. The company’s proprietary RNA editing platform has attracted global attention, including a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company signed in 2025. Rznomics stated that continued patient enrollment and long-term follow-up from the ongoing study will help further define the therapeutic potential of RZ-001 in recurrent glioblastoma.
Source: Rznomics press release
