Whitehawk Therapeutics' Overview and ADC Candidates at Morgan Stanley Global Healthcare Conference

Whitehawk Therapeutics, a clinical-stage ADC company, presents at the Morgan Stanley 23rd Annual Global Healthcare Conference. The company has three ADC candidates in development, targeting validated tumor antigens in various oncology indications, including lung cancer, gynecological cancers, and other tumor types. Whitehawk believes it can be first or second to market for each target and is partnering with WuXi Biologics for further development.

Whitehawk Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: WHWK) participated in the Morgan Stanley 23rd Annual Global Healthcare Conference, where the company outlined its strategic focus and progress in developing three ADC (Antibody-Drug Conjugate) candidates. The presentation, held on September 8, 2025, was led by CEO David Lennon and Morgan Stanley's Frank Tang.

Whitehawk Therapeutics, an ADC company, has in-licensed three ADCs from WuXi Biologics, focusing on various oncology indications. The company aims to be first or second to market for each of its targeted tumor antigens, including PTK7, MUC16, and SEZ6. These assets are expected to enter clinical trials over the next 6 to 9 months, positioning Whitehawk as a fully clinical-stage company by next year.

The company's strategic partnership with WuXi Biologics was highlighted, with the licensing agreement including an upfront payment of $46 million and $90 million in development and approval milestones for each asset. The partnership also includes single-digit royalties and additional commercial milestones, reflecting Whitehawk's commitment to the commercialization of these assets.

Lennon emphasized the unique features of each program. The PTK7-directed ADC, HWK-007, targets a broadly overexpressed tumor antigen, with potential applications in lung cancer and gynecological cancers. The MUC16-targeting ADC, HWK-016, focuses on a highly proliferative target within the gynecological space, while the SEZ6-targeting ADC, HWK-206, addresses neuroendocrine tumors. Each program leverages the company's advanced linker payload platform, CPT113, which aims to improve antibody stability and reduce side effects.

The presentation also discussed the rationale behind selecting PTK7 and MUC16 as targets. PTK7, an oncofetal pseudokinase, is highly expressed in various cancers and has shown promising data in previous ADC programs, despite safety concerns. MUC16, cleaved into the biomarker CA125, is a highly expressed target in gynecological cancers. Whitehawk's approach to targeting MUC16 aims to bypass the circulating CA125 and achieve higher tumor concentrations.

Whitehawk's strategic focus on validated but under-competed targets, coupled with its advanced linker payload technology, positions the company as a potential leader in the ADC space. The company's partnership with WuXi Biologics and its clinical stage pipeline are key factors that investors should consider.

References:
[1] https://seekingalpha.com/article/4820701-whitehawk-therapeutics-inc-whwk-presents-at-morgan-stanley-23rd-annual-global-healthcare