Percheron Earns Slot at ASCO 2026 to Present Cancer Drug Data to 50,000 Oncologists
Percheron secures global stage for HMBD-002 cancer research
Percheron Therapeutics (ASX: PER) has announced that new preclinical data for its investigational cancer therapy, HMBD-002, has been accepted for presentation at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. The conference will take place in Chicago from 29 May to 2 June 2026.
The acceptance represents a significant milestone for the biotech firm, positioning the VISTA-targeting therapy in front of up to 50,000 attendees from over 100 countries. ASCO is widely regarded as the foremost annual conference for practising oncologists, clinical researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and investors in the oncology sector.
Acceptance at ASCO is highly competitive. In 2025, more than 7,500 abstracts were submitted for consideration, with only a minority selected for oral or poster presentations. This selectivity underscores the scientific merit required for inclusion at the event.
Investment Significance
The ASCO presentation provides Percheron with global visibility during a critical period ahead of its planned CY2026 clinical trials. The platform offers direct access to pharmaceutical partners and institutional investors evaluating emerging immunotherapy programmes.
The abstract was submitted by a research team at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Queensland, as part of an ongoing collaboration with Percheron. QIMR Berghofer is one of Australia’s leading independent medical research institutes, housing nearly 1,000 scientists, students, and staff across more than 60 research groups and laboratories.
Full results will be shared at the conference in accordance with ASCO’s embargo policies.
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What is VISTA and why does it matter for cancer treatment?
VISTA (V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation) is an immune checkpoint regulator that controls how the body’s immune system responds to cancer cells. Immune checkpoints act as brakes on the immune system, preventing it from attacking healthy tissue. However, cancer cells can exploit these checkpoints to evade immune detection.
HMBD-002 is a monoclonal antibody designed to target VISTA. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight harmful cells. By blocking VISTA, HMBD-002 aims to release the immune system’s brakes, allowing it to recognise and attack cancer cells more effectively.
This approach falls within the broader category of immunotherapy, which has generated significant commercial value over the past decade. Drugs targeting established checkpoints such as PD-1 and PD-L1 have become standard treatments across multiple cancer types. VISTA represents a newer target with potential differentiation from these established therapies.
Percheron’s Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced cancer showed HMBD-002 to be generally safe and well-tolerated. The company aims to commence further clinical trials in CY2026.
How VISTA-targeting therapy works:
- Immune checkpoints act as regulatory mechanisms that prevent the immune system from attacking healthy tissue.
- VISTA is one such checkpoint that cancer cells can exploit to avoid immune detection.
- Monoclonal antibodies like HMBD-002 block VISTA, potentially restoring the immune system’s ability to target cancer cells.
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QIMR Berghofer collaboration advances biomarker research
The collaboration between Percheron and QIMR Berghofer focuses on exploring VISTA’s role across several cancer types and identifying potential biomarkers for use in future clinical trials. Biomarkers are measurable indicators that can help predict which patients are most likely to respond to a specific treatment.
The research project has been led by Professor Sudha Rao, a recognised expert in the use of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. Professor Rao’s team at QIMR Berghofer submitted the abstract following analysis of preclinical data generated through the partnership.
QIMR Berghofer’s research infrastructure provides significant depth to the collaboration. The institute’s focus areas include:
- Cancer research and therapeutic development
- Infectious disease prevention and treatment
- Population health studies and epidemiology
- Brain and mental health research programmes
The institute houses more than 60 research groups operating across a wide range of scientific disciplines, with nearly 1,000 personnel contributing to its research output.
For Percheron, the biomarker research may enable more targeted patient selection in future clinical trials. This could potentially improve efficacy outcomes by identifying patient populations most likely to benefit from VISTA inhibition, while also informing regulatory pathways for the therapy.
What comes next for Percheron
Percheron has outlined a clear pathway following the ASCO presentation. The company aims to commence further clinical trials for HMBD-002 in CY2026, building on the safety profile established in the Phase I trial.
| Milestone | Status | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I trial | Completed | Prior |
| ASCO data presentation | Scheduled | 29 May – 2 June 2026 |
| Further clinical trials | Planned | CY2026 |
The ASCO presentation represents a near-term catalyst for investor attention, coinciding with the company’s preparation for its next phase of clinical development. The conference provides a platform to communicate scientific progress to a global audience of pharmaceutical partners and institutional investors evaluating immunotherapy opportunities.
The timing of the presentation positions Percheron to leverage increased visibility as it moves towards further clinical trials later in 2026.
The company’s dual listing on the ASX (PER) and US OTC (PERCF) provides broader market access for investors tracking developments in the VISTA-targeting space. The ASCO acceptance validates the scientific merit of the QIMR Berghofer collaboration whilst positioning HMBD-002 within the competitive landscape of emerging immunotherapy programmes.
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