SAN DIEGO, California, June 22, 2026
Phanes Therapeutics has announced the successful completion of patient enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating spevatamig in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy as a frontline treatment for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The milestone represents a significant advancement for the company’s immuno-oncology pipeline and brings the program closer to delivering critical efficacy and safety data in one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancers. The Phase 2 study is part of the broader TWINPEAK clinical program, a basket trial designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and therapeutic potential of spevatamig across multiple gastrointestinal cancer indications. Initial findings presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting highlighted encouraging efficacy signals at the 2 mg/kg dose level and promising safety and tolerability results at the 3 mg/kg dose level. With enrollment now complete, Phanes expects to report topline Phase 2 results by the end of 2026, potentially providing an important step toward advancing a novel immunotherapy option for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Spevatamig Targets Pancreatic Cancer Through Novel Immune Mechanisms
Spevatamig is a first-in-class bispecific antibody engineered to simultaneously target CLDN18.2 and CD47, creating a differentiated therapeutic approach designed to activate the body’s innate immune response against cancer. The drug belongs to an emerging class of immuno-oncology agents known as Innate Immunity Enhancers (I2Es), which aim to stimulate macrophages and dendritic cells to recognize and destroy tumor cells. Unlike conventional immune checkpoint inhibitors that primarily activate T-cell responses, spevatamig is designed to engage complementary immune pathways that may be particularly valuable in treating so-called “cold tumors”, which are typically resistant to standard immunotherapy approaches.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is widely recognized as one of the most lethal cancers, with limited treatment options and poor long-term survival rates. Current frontline therapies rely largely on systemic chemotherapy, which often provides only temporary benefit due to treatment resistance and cumulative toxicity. By harnessing innate immunity, spevatamig may offer a novel strategy for achieving more durable anti-tumor responses.
Encouraging Clinical Progress Supports Continued Development
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The completion of enrollment marks an important milestone for both the pancreatic cancer program and the broader development of spevatamig. More than 200 patients globally have now received the investigational therapy across multiple gastrointestinal cancer studies. Early clinical findings have demonstrated encouraging signals of activity while maintaining a manageable safety profile. According to company leadership, the molecule’s unique design enables effective targeting of solid tumors while minimizing the hematologic toxicities historically associated with some CD47-directed therapies.
The encouraging data generated thus far have strengthened confidence in the program and support ongoing evaluation of spevatamig across additional tumor types. The company believes the therapeutic approach could represent a new frontier in solid tumor immunotherapy by expanding the range of immune mechanisms available to attack cancer cells.
Expanding a Growing Immuno-Oncology Pipeline
Beyond pancreatic cancer, Phanes Therapeutics continues to advance a robust portfolio of innovative biologics utilizing its proprietary PACbody®, SPECpair®, and ATACCbody® technology platforms. Spevatamig has already received both FDA Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation for pancreatic cancer, highlighting its potential to address a significant unmet medical need. In addition, Phanes entered into a strategic clinical collaboration with Merck in 2023 to evaluate spevatamig in combination with pembrolizumab, further expanding its development opportunities.
As the incidence of pancreatic cancer continues to rise globally, novel therapeutic strategies capable of improving survival outcomes are urgently needed. The completion of enrollment in the Phase 2 study brings Phanes one step closer to determining whether spevatamig can become the first innate immunity enhancer approved for a solid tumor indication and potentially transform treatment options for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Source: Phanes Therapeutics press release
