What are the key disease targets and clinical phases of the five highlighted drug candidates presented at the ACS Fall 2026 meeting?

QTX3034 (Quanta Therapeutics) targets KRas G12D mutation for endometrial, colorectal, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and is in Phase 1 (NCT06227377); AZD3632 (Acerta Pharma/AstraZeneca) targets menin for acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemias and is in Phase 1 (NCT07155226); NVP-KFA115 (Novartis) targets IKZF2 and IKZF4 for immunomodulation in cancer and is in Phase 1 (NCT05544929); SGR-3515 (Schrödinger) targets WEE1 and Myt1 kinases for solid tumors and is in Phase 1 (NCT06463340); GFH647 (GenFleet Therapeutics) targets wild-type and C481S-mutant BTK for B-cell malignancies and is under investigational new drug status.

How did serendipity or unconventional design choices contribute to the development of any of the disclosed drug candidates?

For NVP-KFA115, the trans-cyclohexylamine-ether moiety — critical to its activity — originated as an unintended by-product of a carbon-oxygen cross-coupling reaction involving a copper ligand; researchers tested it empirically and pivoted the entire project based on its promising activity. For AZD3632, a ketone functional group — typically avoided due to stability concerns — was retained because it proved essential for target engagement rather than problematic. For QTX3034, the spirocycle was intentionally included from the outset to confer rigidity in the allosteric site of multiple KRas mutants, reflecting deliberate structural innovation.

13 Clinical Drug Candidates Unveiled at ACS Fall 2026 Meeting

Aug 28, 2026

Thirteen new clinical drug candidates targeting diseases such as cancer and obesity were disclosed at the American Chemical Society Fall 2026 meeting, highlighting efforts from major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Novartis.

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13 Clinical Drug Candidates Unveiled at ACS Fall 2026 Meeting

13 Clinical Drug Candidates Unveiled at ACS Fall 2026 Meeting

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