CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 20, 2026
Marengo Therapeutics has announced that updated Phase II clinical data from its investigational immunotherapy invikafusp alfa (STAR0602) have been selected for an oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026, highlighting growing recognition of the company’s innovative precision immunotherapy platform. The presentation will feature new findings from the ongoing STARt-001 Phase I/II clinical study, evaluating single-agent invikafusp alfa in patients with advanced PD-1-resistant solid tumors using a biomarker-enriched treatment strategy. In addition to the prestigious conference selection, Marengo announced the appointment of renowned oncology drug developer Eric Rubin, M.D., former Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Oncology at Merck, to its Scientific Advisory Board, strengthening the company’s leadership as it advances next-generation immunotherapy for difficult-to-treat cancers.
Phase II Data Highlight Precision Immunotherapy in PD-1-Resistant Tumors
The oral presentation at ESMO 2026 will showcase updated clinical and translational findings from STARt-001, focusing on patients with tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) advanced solid tumors whose cancers have progressed despite prior PD-1-directed immunotherapy. Building upon encouraging data previously presented at SITC 2025, investigators will evaluate whether selective activation of Vβ6 and Vβ10 T-cell subsets can generate meaningful single-agent anti-tumor activity in biomarker-selected patient populations. Unlike conventional immunotherapies that broadly stimulate the immune system, invikafusp alfa is designed to selectively activate specific T-cell populations, potentially improving anti-tumor responses while minimizing unnecessary systemic immune activation. The biomarker-driven development strategy also aims to identify patients most likely to benefit from treatment, supporting a broader precision oncology approach across multiple solid tumor types.
Scientific Leadership Expanded with Keytruda Development Expert
Marengo further strengthened its scientific leadership through the appointment of Eric Rubin, M.D. to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Rubin brings more than 35 years of oncology drug development experience, including leading the initial global clinical development of pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®) during his tenure at Merck. His expertise in immuno-oncology, translational research, and global regulatory strategy is expected to support Marengo’s next phase of clinical development for invikafusp alfa, particularly as the company evaluates its potential both as a standalone treatment for PD-1-resistant cancers and as a future backbone for combination immunotherapy regimens. Company leadership emphasized that Dr. Rubin’s appointment aligns with Marengo’s strategy of accelerating development through scientific excellence and precision medicine innovation.
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STAR Platform Continues to Advance Precision Oncology
Invikafusp alfa (STAR0602) is the lead candidate emerging from Marengo’s proprietary Selective T Cell Activation Repertoire (STAR) platform, a technology designed to selectively activate Vβ6/Vβ10 T-cell subsets using a novel bispecific T-cell agonist approach. The investigational therapy combines non-clonal T-cell receptor activation with targeted IL-2 signaling to generate durable anti-tumor immune responses while limiting broader immune activation commonly associated with conventional immunotherapies. The ongoing STARt-001 global Phase I/II study continues evaluating invikafusp alfa in patients with advanced antigen-rich solid tumors resistant to PD-1-directed therapies using biomarker-enriched cohorts, including TMB-H and MSI-H populations. Selection for an oral presentation at one of the world’s most influential oncology conferences further validates the growing scientific interest in Marengo’s platform and highlights the potential of precision T-cell activation as a promising strategy for addressing immunotherapy-resistant cancers.
Source: Marengo Therapeutics press release
