AACR and ASGCT presentations showcase durable survival and context-dependent iNKT activity in cancer and inflammatory lung disease
Non-dilutive collaborations expand MiNK's platform and potentiate meaningful commercial revenue potential, while preserving focus on lead clinical programs
Company continues disciplined execution with reduced operating burn and focused advancement of high-priority programs
New clinical data to be presented at the ATS conference on May 20, 2026
NEW YORK, May 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:INKT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing allogeneic invariant natural killer T (allo-iNKT) cell therapies to restore immune balance and treat immune-mediated diseases and cancer, today reported financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2026, and provided a corporate update.
"MiNK entered 2026 focused on converting a growing body of clinical and translational evidence into prospective validation," said Jennifer Buell, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MiNK Therapeutics. "During the first quarter and subsequent period, we advanced agenT-797 into a randomized Phase 2 study in acute lung injury and critical illness, presented data that further support the context-dependent biology of iNKT cells, and continued to expand the platform through selective, non-dilutive collaborations. This is the next phase of MiNK's strategy: disciplined clinical execution, rigorous translational validation, and capital-efficient expansion of a broadly deployable cell therapy platform."
Dr. Buell continued, "What continues to distinguish agenT-797 is both its biology and its practicality. As an off-the-shelf iNKT cell therapy administered without lymphodepletion or HLA matching, agenT-797 is designed for settings where immune dysfunction drives poor outcomes and where speed, tolerability and deployability matter. We believe this is particularly relevant in severe acute lung injury and critical illness, where patients often face a cascade of respiratory failure, secondary infection and organ dysfunction with limited therapeutic options."
Recent Business and Development Highlights
agenT-797 Advanced into Randomized Phase 2 Clinical Evaluation in Acute Lung Injury and Critical Illness
MiNK initiated a randomized Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating agenT-797 plus standard of care compared with placebo plus standard of care in adults with severe acute lung injury and critical illness, including moderate to severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to severe pneumonia, who meet Global ARDS criteria and are admitted to the ICU. The study is being designed with a seamless Phase 2/3 operational framework intended to support efficient transition into later-stage development if findings from the randomized Phase 2 portion are prospectively confirmed.
The trial has received authorization from the Ukraine Ministry of Health, is supported by an active U.S. IND, and remains subject to FDA clearance for planned U.S. site activation. Preliminary data are expected in the second half of 2026.
Acute lung injury and ARDS remain among the most serious unresolved conditions in critical care. ARDS affects an estimated 3 million patients globally and approximately 200,000 patients annually in the United States, accounting for nearly 25% of mechanically ventilated ICU patients.i Mortality remains high, approximately 40% to 50%, and there are currently no approved pharmacologic therapies shown to reduce mortality in ARDS.ii The trial is designed to prospectively evaluate agenT-797 in a clearly defined, critical care population where ventilator-free days, secondary infection, respiratory recovery and survival can be assessed within clinically meaningful and regulatory-aligned endpoints.
Recent Data at AACR and ASGCT Strengthen the Biologic Rationale for Context-Dependent iNKT Activity
Recent clinical and translational presentations at the American Association for Clinical Research (AACR) Annual Meeting and the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Meeting (ASGCT) reinforced the potential of MiNK's iNKT platform to generate disease-relevant immune activity across distinct clinical settings.
In PD-1 refractory gastroesophageal cancer, investigator-sponsored Phase 2 data showed disease control and longer-term survival in a subset of heavily pretreated patients, supported by evidence of immune activation and tumor microenvironment remodeling. The study achieved a 77% disease control rate, with long-term survival beyond 20 months observed in a subset of patients with immune-induction prior to chemotherapy. These patients also had longer progression-free survival compared with those treated without induction, with median PFS of 6.9 months versus 3.5 months.
At ASGCT, translational ...
