Adagene Adds Industry Veteran Peter Lebowitz to Scientific and Strategic Advisory Board
MWN-AI** Summary
Adagene Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative antibody-based therapies, has announced the appointment of Peter Lebowitz, MD, Ph.D., to its Scientific and Strategic Advisory Board (SAB). Adagene’s proprietary technology, SAFEbody, aims to overcome traditional challenges associated with CTLA-4-targeted therapies by enabling tumor-selective activation while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Lebowitz, who currently serves as CEO of Third Arc Bio, brings significant experience from his previous role as Global Head of Oncology R&D at Johnson & Johnson, where he successfully led the development of 13 drugs, achieving over 60 regulatory approvals. His track record includes obtaining 12 FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designations and contributing to numerous publications in prestigious journals. Lebowitz expressed enthusiasm for Adagene’s work, particularly the promising clinical activity of its lead candidate, ADG126, in targeting regulatory T cells in tumors, especially in difficult-to-treat patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer (MSS CRC).
Peter Luo, Ph.D., Adagene's Chairman, CEO, and President of R&D, emphasized that Lebowitz’s extensive background makes him an invaluable addition to the team, expected to enhance strategies for advancing ADG126 into critical registration-enabling studies and exploring its potential in combination therapies.
Adagene, leveraging its Dynamic Precision Library (DPL) platform, integrates computational biology and AI to develop novel antibodies. Its SAFEbody technology is designed to improve the safety profile of antibody therapies by selectively activating drug action in the tumor microenvironment, minimizing off-target effects. The encouraging results from ongoing clinical trials further validate Adagene's approach, positioning it as a leader in the rapidly evolving landscape of antibody-based therapies.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent appointment of industry veteran Peter Lebowitz to the Scientific and Strategic Advisory Board of Adagene Inc. (Nasdaq: ADAG) presents a potentially impactful development for the company and its investors. Adagene, known for its innovative SAFEbody technology aimed at enhancing antibody-based therapies, showcases significant promise, particularly in oncology markets through its lead candidate, ADG126, which targets regulatory T cells in tumors.
Lebowitz's extensive background, including his tenure as the Global Head of Oncology R&D at Johnson & Johnson, positions him as a valuable asset for steering the clinical development of ADG126. Notably, his track record includes numerous FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designations and successful drug launches, which suggests he can expedite the pathway for Adagene's therapies into registration-enabling studies.
The ongoing trials for ADG126, particularly in microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer, represent a critical juncture for the company. With traditional immunotherapies often underperforming in this specific patient group, ADAG may have a unique opportunity to carve out a niche in an underserved market if clinical outcomes support its efficacy claims.
Investors should closely monitor Adagene's progress, paying attention to any updates regarding trial results and regulatory communications. The incorporation of a leader like Lebowitz could elevate the company's strategic handling of these aspects. Moreover, Adagene's unique SAFEbody technology, which selectively targets tumors and minimizes systemic toxicity, may attract further partnerships and investments as successful results emerge.
Market sentiment could shift favorably toward Adagene, especially as the biotech market increasingly rewards companies demonstrating innovative, safer therapeutic solutions. However, investors should remain cautious, as clinical-stage biotech firms come with inherent risks, including the potential for trial failures and regulatory hurdles. Hence, a balanced approach—acknowledging both the potential upside and the risks—should guide investment strategies surrounding Adagene.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
SAN DIEGO and SUZHOU, China, April 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adagene Inc. (“Adagene”) (Nasdaq: ADAG), a platform-driven, clinical-stage biotechnology company transforming the discovery and development of novel antibody-based therapies, today announced the addition of Peter Lebowitz, MD, Ph.D. to its Scientific and Strategic Advisory Board (SAB).
Regarding his appointment to Adagene’s SAB, Lebowitz added, “Adagene’s proprietary SAFEbody masking technology represents an innovative approach to addressing the historical limitations of CTLA-4–targeted therapies by enabling tumor-selective activation of ADG126 and focused depletion of intratumoral regulatory T cells. The encouraging clinical activity in late-line MSS CRC patients is notable, especially given that meaningful activity has generally not been seen with prior immunotherapies. I look forward to working with the Adagene team to help guide the continued clinical development of ADG126, including strategies to advance the program into registration-enabling studies and to further explore its Treg-depleting mechanism as a foundation for future combination approaches.”
“Adding Peter to our SAB is a significant accomplishment, given his vast experience with expediting breakthrough therapies and executing global regulatory strategies for novel molecules. Peter is known for recognizing the early potential of modalities and picking winners. He is one of the few industry veterans who has a track record of advancing new medicines, including advanced biologics, from discovery to commercialization, time and time again. On behalf of the entire Company, we look forward to Peter’s input and welcome him to the Adagene team,” said Peter Luo, Ph.D., Chairman, CEO and President of R&D at Adagene.
Peter F. Lebowitz, MD, Ph.D. is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Third Arc Bio, a clinical stage biotech company developing novel multifunctional antibodies for a range of oncology and immunology & inflammation indications. Prior to joining Third Arc, Peter served as the Global Head of Oncology R&D for Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for 13 years, building and driving an end-to-end research and development organization that delivered 13 new drugs to market with over 60 approvals. His innovative approach to drug development resulted in 12 FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designations and 38 New England Journal of Medicine publications for J&J oncology medicines.
About Adagene
Adagene Inc. (Nasdaq: ADAG) is a platform-driven, clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to transforming the discovery and development of novel antibody-based cancer immunotherapies. Adagene combines computational biology and artificial intelligence to design novel antibodies that address globally unmet patient needs. The company has forged strategic collaborations with reputable global partners that leverage its SAFEbody precision masking technology in multiple approaches at the vanguard of science.
Powered by its proprietary Dynamic Precision Library (DPL) platform, composed of NEObody™, SAFEbody, and POWERbody™ technologies, Adagene’s highly differentiated pipeline features novel immunotherapy programs. The company’s SAFEbody technology is designed to address safety and tolerability challenges associated with many antibody therapeutics by using precision masking technology to shield the binding domain of the biologic therapy. Through activation in the tumor microenvironment, this allows for tumor-specific targeting of antibodies, while minimizing on-target off-tumor toxicity in healthy tissues.
Adagene’s lead clinical program, muzastotug (ADG126), is a masked, anti-CTLA-4 SAFEbody with FDA Fast Track designation that targets a unique epitope of CTLA-4 in regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment. Muzastotug is currently in Phase 1b/2 and Phase 2 clinical studies in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy, particularly focused on microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Validated by ongoing clinical research, the SAFEbody platform can be applied to a wide variety of antibody-based therapeutic modalities, including Fc empowered antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and bi/multi-specific T-cell engagers.
For more information, please visit: https://investor.adagene.com.
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SAFEbody® is a registered trademark in the United States, China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the European Union.
KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding certain clinical results of ADG126, the potential implications of clinical data for patients, and Adagene’s advancement of, and anticipated preclinical activities, clinical development, regulatory milestones, and commercialization of its product candidates. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including but not limited to Adagene’s ability to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its drug candidates; the clinical results for its drug candidates, which may not support further development or regulatory approval; the content and timing of decisions made by the relevant regulatory authorities regarding regulatory approval of Adagene’s drug candidates; Adagene’s ability to achieve commercial success for its drug candidates, if approved; Adagene’s ability to obtain and maintain protection of intellectual property for its technology and drugs; Adagene’s reliance on third parties to conduct drug development, manufacturing and other services; Adagene’s limited operating history and Adagene’s ability to obtain additional funding for operations and to complete the development and commercialization of its drug candidates; Adagene’s ability to enter into additional collaboration agreements beyond its existing strategic partnerships or collaborations, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Adagene’s clinical development, commercial and other operations, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section in Adagene’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Adagene, and Adagene undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Investor Contacts:
Raymond Tam
Raymond_tam@adagene.com
Corey Davis
LifeSci Advisors
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com
FAQ**
How does Adagene Inc. ADAG's innovative SAFEbody technology compare to traditional antibody therapies in terms of safety and efficacy for oncology treatments in regions like San Diego and Suzhou?
What are the implications of Peter Lebowitz's appointment to the Scientific Advisory Board for Adagene Inc. ADAG's strategic growth in the competitive biotech markets of San Diego and Suzhou?
How might the clinical development of ADG126 by Adagene Inc. ADAG impact patient access to advanced cancer therapies in both San Diego and Suzhou, considering the differing healthcare infrastructures?
In the context of Adagene Inc. ADAG's collaboration efforts, how can the biotech landscape in San Diego and Suzhou facilitate partnerships to enhance cancer immunotherapy research and development?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Adagene Inc. (NASDAQ: ADAG).
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