Aura Biosciences Advances Novel Therapies, Eyes Key Enrollment Milestone

Company reaffirms timeline for Phase 3 choroidal melanoma data, outlines additional ocular oncology and bladder cancer development plans

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:48am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Aura Biosciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, is advancing a novel class of virus-like drug conjugate (VDC) therapies, with its lead program in ocular oncology now in a Phase 3 trial for early choroidal melanoma. The company's CEO, Elisabet de los Pinos, discussed the company's progress and upcoming milestones at a recent healthcare conference.

Why it matters

Aura's VDC platform represents a novel approach to treating solid tumors, combining targeted delivery of photosensitizers with an immunogenic mechanism of action. The company's focus on ocular oncology and bladder cancer could provide new treatment options for patients, particularly in early disease settings where current standards of care often involve invasive procedures or radiation.

The details

Aura's VDC platform uses virus-like particles targeted to cancer cell membranes and conjugated to a photosensitizer. When activated by infrared light, the photosensitizer generates reactive oxygen species that lead to tumor cell necrosis. The platform also has a secondary immunologic effect, releasing damage-associated molecular patterns that drive an influx of T cells and a potential anti-tumor immune response. In the Phase 3 trial for early choroidal melanoma, Aura is focused on completing enrollment, a key milestone given the study's Special Protocol Assessment. The trial is designed to enroll patients who would typically be eligible for observation before radiotherapy, allowing for a sham-controlled design. Aura expects to report top-line data in Q4 2027. Beyond choroidal melanoma, Aura is also advancing programs in metastatic ocular tumors and cancers of the ocular surface, as well as a neoadjuvant bladder cancer program that has shown promising early signals of complete responses and abscopal effects.

  • Aura expects to report proof-of-concept data for its metastatic ocular tumor program 'this year', ahead of the 2027 choroidal melanoma readout.
  • The company plans to provide three-month data from its bladder cancer cohorts, totaling 21 patients, by mid-2026.

The players

Elisabet de los Pinos

CEO of Aura Biosciences.

Aura Biosciences

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel virus-like particle (VLP) therapies for the treatment of cancer.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.