Akari Therapeutics Highlights Strategic Progress Under CEO

Company advances lead ADC candidate AKTX-101 and expands pipeline with AKTX-102

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:41pm

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Akari Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), has released a new CEO Corner segment featuring President and Chief Executive Officer Abizer Gaslightwala. The segment highlights the key scientific, operational and strategic milestones achieved under Mr. Gaslightwala's leadership over the past year, as the company positions itself to transition to a clinical stage biotechnology company.

Why it matters

Akari's lead program, AKTX-101, is a Trop2-targeted ADC powered by the company's proprietary PH1 payload. The advancement of AKTX-101 towards clinical development, along with the introduction of a new pipeline candidate AKTX-102 targeting CEACAM5, demonstrates Akari's progress in developing its innovative ADC platform with the potential to unlock challenging oncology targets.

The details

Under Mr. Gaslightwala's leadership, Akari has expanded the scientific understanding of its PH1 platform through new preclinical data presentations, initiated IND-enabling activities for AKTX-101 through a strategic manufacturing partnership, and expanded its pipeline with the introduction of AKTX-102. The company has also strengthened its intellectual property estate and established a group of scientific advisors to support the advancement of its platform.

  • In the past year under Abizer Gaslightwala's leadership
  • In 2025, Akari presented new preclinical data on the PH1 payload at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) conference
  • Akari initiated IND-enabling activities for AKTX-101 in 2026
  • Akari plans to submit an IND or CTA for AKTX-101 in late 2026 or early 2027
  • Akari plans to initiate a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study for AKTX-101 shortly after regulatory clearance

The players

Abizer Gaslightwala

President and Chief Executive Officer of Akari Therapeutics.

Akari Therapeutics

An oncology biotechnology company developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with novel immuno-oncology payloads.

AKTX-101

Akari's lead program, a Trop2-targeted ADC powered by the company's proprietary PH1 payload.

AKTX-102

Akari's new pipeline candidate, an ADC targeting CEACAM5-expressing tumors.

WuXi XDC

A leading global ADC development and manufacturing partner that Akari has partnered with.

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What they’re saying

“Over the past year under Abizer Gaslightwala's leadership, Akari Therapeutics has sharpened its strategic focus and advanced the development of its proprietary PH1 ADC payload platform.”

— Abizer Gaslightwala, President and Chief Executive Officer (Akari Therapeutics)

What’s next

Akari plans to submit an IND or CTA for AKTX-101 in late 2026 or early 2027, with plans to initiate a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study shortly thereafter, subject to regulatory clearance.

The takeaway

Akari's progress in advancing its lead ADC candidate AKTX-101 and expanding its pipeline with AKTX-102 demonstrates the company's strategic focus and the potential of its innovative ADC platform to unlock challenging oncology targets and drive robust and durable anti-tumor activity.