Bolt Biotherapeutics delays trial data, cuts workforce by half

Bolt Biotherapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BOLT) announced it will delay initial clinical data from its BDC-4182 Phase 1 dose escalation study until the third quarter of 2026. The company is modifying its clinical trial protocol to allow for step-up dosing after observing a strong immune response at initial dose levels.

The biopharmaceutical company said it is implementing a 50% workforce reduction to extend its cash runway into 2027. BDC-4182 is a next-generation Boltbody Immune-Stimulating Antibody Conjugate targeting claudin 18.2 in cancer treatment.

"I want to sincerely thank all of our colleagues impacted by this decision," said Willie Quinn, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Amid challenging market conditions, our strategic imperative is the clinical advancement of BDC-4812 and the support of our ISAC collaborations to increase shareholder value."

The company stated that preclinical data for BDC-4182 supports the step-up dosing approach, which has been used commercially for T-cell engagers. The current Phase 1 trial includes patients with gastric and gastroesophageal cancer.

Bolt Biotherapeutics maintains strategic collaborations with Genmab and Toray around its Boltbody ISAC platform technology. The company is seeking to partner its Dectin-2 agonist BDC-3042, which completed a Phase 1 dose escalation trial.

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