Sydney, Australia, November 12, 2026
Kazia Therapeutics Limited, an oncology-focused biotechnology company, has announced that it will host a virtual scientific event on December 2, 2026, to introduce its investigational NDL2 nuclear PD-L1 protein degrader and discuss its potential role in addressing resistance to cancer immunotherapy. The event will provide an overview of the scientific development of NDL2, from its initial discovery and molecular optimization through its current preclinical development stage. The company is exploring this novel approach initially for metastatic breast cancer and colorectal cancer, two areas where advanced disease and treatment resistance remain important challenges in oncology. Kazia describes NDL2 as a potentially first-in-class candidate within the emerging field of targeted protein degradation (TPD). The virtual presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, followed by a live question-and-answer session with company representatives. The announcement highlights Kazia’s efforts to develop new therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring anti-tumor immunity and overcoming mechanisms that allow cancer cells to evade immune responses.
NDL2 Targets Nuclear PD-L1 Through Protein Degradation
NDL2 is an optimized bicyclic peptide designed to selectively degrade disease-associated nuclear PD-L1 protein. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an immune-regulatory protein that plays an important role in controlling immune responses. Under normal conditions, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway helps prevent excessive immune activity. However, certain cancers exploit this pathway to avoid recognition and destruction by the immune system. This mechanism is one reason why therapies targeting immune checkpoints have become an important part of modern cancer treatment. Kazia is investigating whether targeting PD-L1 through protein degradation could provide a different therapeutic approach compared with conventional immune checkpoint inhibition. Rather than simply blocking the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1, the company’s strategy is designed to promote the removal of the disease-associated protein through the body’s natural protein degradation machinery. The candidate specifically focuses on nuclear PD-L1, a form of the protein associated with cellular processes that may contribute to cancer progression and treatment resistance. Through this mechanism, Kazia aims to investigate whether reducing nuclear PD-L1 levels could help restore anti-tumor immune activity. The company characterizes NDL2 as potentially first-in-class because it says there are currently no known nuclear PD-L1 protein degraders in clinical development. However, this remains an early-stage research proposition and will require further scientific and clinical validation.
Virtual Event to Highlight Discovery and Preclinical Development
The December 2 event will outline the development journey of NDL2, including its initial scientific concept, molecular optimization and pre-investigational new drug (pre-IND) development. The presentation is intended to explain the rationale behind targeting nuclear PD-L1 and how the candidate was designed to selectively degrade the protein. Kazia also plans to discuss the potential relevance of this approach in advanced solid tumors, particularly metastatic breast cancer and colorectal cancer. A live question-and-answer session will allow participants to engage with company management following the presentation. The event is part of the company’s effort to communicate its emerging oncology research and explain the scientific basis of its next-generation therapeutic programs. Importantly, NDL2 remains a preclinical-stage investigational candidate. It has not entered clinical trials and has not been approved for use in patients. The company has not announced human clinical efficacy or safety results for this program. Further preclinical research, including the studies required to support an investigational new drug submission, will be necessary before the candidate can potentially advance into human testing.
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Kazia Expands Oncology Pipeline Beyond NDL2
Kazia Therapeutics is developing a broader portfolio of investigational oncology treatments focused on cancer biology, immune response and treatment resistance. Its lead clinical-stage asset, paxalisib, is an oral, brain-penetrant dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor being investigated across several cancer types, including central nervous system cancers, advanced breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Paxalisib has received U.S. FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for selected indications, including glioblastoma and certain rare pediatric brain tumors. These designations are intended to support development and regulatory interaction; they do not constitute marketing approval. In addition to NDL2, Kazia is advancing MSETC, a preclinical SETDB1 inhibitor designed to investigate the restoration of immune signaling in tumors that have developed resistance to immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors. The company’s pipeline also includes EVT801, a small-molecule VEGFR-3 inhibitor for which Kazia is exploring potential partnering opportunities. The NDL2 program reflects the company’s interest in targeted protein degradation as a potential strategy for addressing biological mechanisms that conventional treatments may not fully overcome. The planned scientific event will provide an opportunity to understand the candidate’s development rationale and next steps. Its eventual clinical relevance will depend on further preclinical evidence, regulatory progress and, if development advances, results from human clinical trials.
Source: Kazia Therapeutics press release
