Kupando Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 1 Clinical Study of Lead Candidate KUP101 in Advanced Solid Tumors

* Milestone marks Kupando’s evolution from a research-focused organization to a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
* Phase 1 trial evaluates KUP101, a differentiated dual Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 4/7 agonist designed to harness innate immunity and induce trained immunity
* Unlike conventional therapies targeting specific mutations, KUP101 operates as a tissue-agnostic treatment with proven preclinical synergy alongside checkpoint inhibitors
 
SCHÖNEFELD, Germany, August 06, 2026 / Biotech Newswire / -- Kupando, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company developing a TLR 4/7 agonist that stimulates innate immunity and induces trained immunity for use in oncology and infectious diseases, today announced that the first patient has been successfully dosed in its Phase 1 clinical study of its lead drug candidate, KUP101, in patients with advanced solid tumors, specifically focusing on advanced skin tumors.
 
This major milestone marks Kupando’s transition from a preclinical-stage researcher into a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, validating the shift of its innovative science from the laboratory to the bedside.
 
"Dosing our first patient is a defining inflection point in Kupando’s history," said Dr. Johanna Holldack, Founder and CEO of Kupando. "By leveraging the power of innate immune stimulation and the induction of trained immunity, KUP101 represents a fundamentally different way of approaching hard-to-treat cancers. Moving into the clinic is a testament to the dedication of our team, our clinical investigators in Germany, and the strong backing of our investor syndicate."
 
Following the successful dosing of the first patient, the safety committee has reviewed the initial administration and approved the ongoing enrolment of further patients across the activated clinical sites.
 
KUP101 is a first-in-class, differentiated dual TLR 4 and 7 agonist. Unlike conventional oncology treatments that target specific tumor mutations or individual pathways, KUP101 stimulates the innate immune system – the body's universal defense – to activate immunocompetent cells in the microenvironment surrounding the cancer. Because it works via immune stimulation rather than targeting the cancer cells directly, KUP101 is designed to be a tissue-agnostic treatment capable of providing a broader and more durable immune response. Preclinical studies have also demonstrated synergistic and additive effects when combined with checkpoint inhibitors, offering renewed hope for patients who do not respond to or have developed resistance to existing immunotherapies.
 
The Phase 1 trial is being conducted at leading oncology centers in Germany, partnering with expert investigators and specialized clinical research organizations to ensure the highest standards of safety, tolerability, and data integrity.
 
Beyond oncology, Kupando is advancing its preclinical pipeline in infectious diseases – specifically targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through pathogen-agnostic host-directed therapies.
 
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About Kupando
KUPANDO is a pioneering biotech company focused on developing innovative therapies to address critical unmet medical needs in cancer and infectious diseases. Its disruptive approach harnesses the power of innate immune stimulation and induction of trained innate immunity by dual Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) agonists. This unique modality underpins the Company’s pipeline of first-in-class, differentiated small molecules with the potential to transform the management of these challenging diseases. Its lead candidate, KUP101, is a differentiated dual TLR 4 and 7 agonist in Phase 1 clinical study in advanced skin tumors.

Kupando is headquartered in Schönefeld, Germany and is backed by specialist institutional investors including Remiges Ventures, LifeCarePartners, Brandenburg Kapital, High-Tech Gründerfonds, Ventura Biomed Investors, Carma Fund Management and undisclosed family offices.
 
Contact
Kupando
Johanna Holldack, MD
CEO
jholldack@kupando.com 
www.kupando.com
 
Source: Biotech Newswire