Whitehawk Therapeutics (WHWK) Morgan Stanley 24th Annual Global Healthcare Conference summary

Strategic transformation and pipeline overview

• Shifted focus to next-generation ADCs in early 2025, in-licensing three ADC programs from WuXi Biologics.

• Lead programs HWK-007 (PTK7) and HWK-016 (MUC16) entered phase I clinical trials in Q1 2026; HWK-206 (SEZ6) to enter clinic in Q3 2026.

• Data from HWK-007 and HWK-016 expected in the first half of 2027, targeting 20–30 patients per program.

• Pipeline expanded through collaborations, including Hangzhou DAC (up to five additional ADCs) and Biocytigen (bispecific ADCs).

• Main priority remains advancing the three lead programs while leveraging option-based collaborations for future assets.

Platform differentiation and scientific advances

• ADC platform uses proprietary CBCR bioconjugation and CPT113 linker payload, enhancing stability and minimizing toxicity.

• Carbon bond conjugation to cysteine improves biophysical properties and construct stability.

• PEG masking and a unique triple alanine cleavage site ensure payload release only within lysosomes, reducing off-target effects.

• Preclinical models show high potency and safety, with sub mg/kg efficacy and reduced bone marrow toxicity.

• Platform enables targeting of previously validated but challenging tumor antigens with improved safety profiles.

Clinical program highlights and expectations

• HWK-007 targets PTK7 in non-small cell lung, platinum-resistant ovarian, and endometrial cancers, aiming to improve on prior ADCs limited by toxicity.

• HWK-016 targets membrane-bound MUC16 in gynecological cancers, designed to avoid issues with circulating CA 125 and enhance efficacy.

• HWK-206 targets SEZ6 in small cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine tumors, leveraging biparatopic binding for greater internalization and efficacy.

• Internal benchmarks for early efficacy: 35–40% for non-small cell lung and 50% for gynecological indications, with manageable safety.

• Combination potential highlighted for HWK-206 with other DLL3-targeted agents.