Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) innovation continues at a remarkable pace, as evidenced by the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), held April 17 to 22, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
Under the unifying theme ‘Precision, Partnership, Purpose: Advancing Cancer Science to Save Lives Globally,’ the meeting will bring together over 22,000 researchers, clinicians, and cancer advocates from around the world. With more than 7,400 scientific abstracts to be discussed, AACR 2026 promises to be a pivotal event showcasing the latest advances, collaborations, and strategies in the fight against cancer.
This year, an impressive 92 ADC-related projects are slated for presentation, highlighting both the rapid expansion and the increasing sophistication within the field. Notably, Chinese pharmaceutical companies are contributing a growing share of these projects, indicating a shift toward more globally diverse and differentiated ADC development.
Key trends
Key trends at AACR 2026 include the rise of targeted ADCs against tumor antigens such as HER2, TROP2, B7-H3, and Claudin18.2, along with the emergence of next-generation dual-payload and bispecific ADCs—especially those utilizing topoisomerase I inhibitors. Leading the charge in these innovative areas are companies like DualityBio, Sutro, and Hangzhou DAC.
OBI Pharma stands out among participants, presenting 10 posters on its Nectin-4 (OBI-904) and TROP2 (OBI-902) ADCs. Crown Bioscience is also making a strong showing with 12 posters on ADC development and platform technologies, while Heidelberg Pharma will share new data on its ADC technology (Poster 5639). Clinically, pivotal trial updates on candidates such as GSK/Hansoh’s risvutatug rezetecan (B7-H3) and CSPC’s SYS6010 (EGFR) will be highlighted in plenary sessions.
Altogether, pre-conference analysis identified 348 ADC-relevant abstracts, underscoring the field’s dynamic growth.
Next-generation bioconjugates
Next-generation bioconjugates are also in the spotlight, with 18 industry projects on single, dual, and triple-payload ADCs featured in poster sessions. This momentum reflects a shift toward novel ADC formats aimed at overcoming resistance mechanisms and enhancing efficacy. Notable highlights include triple-payload ADCs like Araris’s ARC-401; OBI Pharma’s site-specific and glycan-based platforms (GlycOBI® and ThiOBI®) for mono- and dual-payload designs; and Aarvik Therapeutics’ innovative MUTTA™ and AQUALINK™ platforms for targeted delivery.
Emerging modalities are also making their debuts, such as degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs) leveraging the GlycOBI® platform and first-in-class senolytic ADCs, such as StarkAge Therapeutics’ DPP4-targeting STX-1.
Other companies introducing novel conjugate technologies in 2026 include Debiopharm (MultiLINK™), ArriVent (MUC16/NaPi2b tetravalent ADC), and NanoValent Pharmaceuticals (nADC/TNS platform), further illustrating the diversity and innovation fueling the landscape.
Featured image © 20178– 2026 AACR. Used with permission.
DOI
