Whitehawk Therapeutics Marks New Era in Oncology with Brand Evolution from Aadi Bioscience

Whitehawk Therapeutics: A New Chapter in Oncology

In a transformative development for the field of oncology, Aadi Bioscience has officially rebranded as Whitehawk Therapeutics, Inc. This strategic move reflects the company’s renewed commitment to advancing its portfolio of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with an emphasis on speed, agility, and precision in developing effective cancer therapies. The switch to the new name is accompanied by a ticker change to "WHWK", effective March 19, 2025, as the company aims to leverage its innovative technology to deliver improved treatment options for patients battling various cancers.

The Evolution of Whitehawk Therapeutics

Founded on a foundation of scientific discovery and technological advancement, Whitehawk Therapeutics plans to focus on a three-asset ADC portfolio. These assets have been in-licensed from WuXi Biologics and are backed by an advanced ADC technology platform designed to overcome the limitations of earlier generations. This platform utilizes a stable yet cleavable linker capable of delivering a Topoisomerase I (TOPO1) inhibitor payload directly to tumor cells, minimizing off-target toxicity and maximizing therapeutic effects.

David Lennon, President and CEO, emphasized the significance of this transition, stating, "Today marks a transformative moment as we reintroduce ourselves as Whitehawk Therapeutics—a focused oncology company combining science, strategy, and execution to swiftly advance our portfolio of promising ADC assets." The vision is clear: expedite the journey of these assets to Investigational New Drug (IND) applications within the next 15 months, promising a future filled with hope for patients facing aggressive cancers.

Recent Developments

As part of the company’s restructuring, all proposals were approved during a Special Meeting of Stockholders on February 28, 2025, leading to a completed PIPE financing round worth $100 million. As the Aadi Subsidiary is divested to Kaken Pharmaceuticals, the parent company (now Whitehawk Therapeutics) will maintain its focus on ADC technologies.

Financially, the company reported $47.2 million in cash reserves by the end of 2024, a decrease from $108.8 million in 2023. However, with the successful closing of strategic transactions, Whitehawk expects its cash and equivalents to increase to between $170 million and $180 million, enhancing its ability to fund ongoing research and clinical trials.

The ADC Asset Portfolio

HWK-007

HWK-007 is positioned as a leading candidate in the next wave of ADCs aimed at treating high PTK7 expressing cancers. Currently undergoing IND-enabling studies, the Phase 1 trial is set to target non-small cell lung cancer and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, with future potential expansions into gastrointestinal and gynecological cancers.

HWK-016

The first ADC targeting the membrane-bound portion of MUC16, often overexpressed in female cancers, HWK-016 is also in IND-enabling studies. Planned Phase 1 trials will focus on ovarian cancer, with potential for additional research in endometrial and cervical cancers.

HWK-206

Designed to target the neuronal SEZ6 protein prevalent in neuroendocrine tumors, HWK-206 utilizes a biparatopic approach to enhance internalization and efficacy. The Phase 1 trial will examine its effectiveness in small-cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine neoplasms, conditions with limited treatment options.

Upcoming Conference Call

Whitehawk Therapeutics will hold a conference call on March 19, 2025, at 8:30 AM ET, to discuss fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 results as well as share updates on their strategic initiatives. Participants can access the call via the company's website, where further financial details and corporate insights will be available.

Conclusion

The rebranding from Aadi Bioscience to Whitehawk Therapeutics signifies a commitment to innovation and patient care in oncology. With a strong ADC portfolio and strategic direction, Whitehawk is dedicated to delivering novel therapeutic options that could potentially change the lives of cancer patients. For more information, visit Whitehawk's website.