Whitehawk Therapeutics Presents Real-World Analysis Confirming MUC16 as Highly Expressed, Clinically Relevant Target for Gynecologic Cancers

Findings Support Development of MUC16-Directed ADC HWK-016, Currently in Phase 1 for Advanced Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:35am

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray-style image revealing the delicate internal structures of a human ovary or uterus, conceptually representing the targeted delivery of a cancer treatment to these vital reproductive organs.An X-ray-like visualization of the complex internal anatomy of a gynecologic cancer target, highlighting the potential of a precision antibody-drug conjugate to selectively deliver treatment.Morristown Today

Whitehawk Therapeutics presented data at the SGO 2026 Annual Meeting showing that MUC16 is highly and stably expressed across ovarian and endometrial cancers, supporting its potential as a clinically meaningful antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) target. The company's investigational MUC16-targeted ADC, HWK-016, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial for advanced gynecologic cancers.

Why it matters

MUC16 is a cell-surface glycoprotein that promotes tumor growth and immune evasion, making it an attractive target for ADC development. The real-world data presented by Whitehawk demonstrate MUC16's high, consistent expression across ovarian and endometrial cancer subtypes, disease stages, and treatment settings, reinforcing its potential clinical relevance and the rationale for advancing HWK-016.

The details

The analysis found that MUC16 has the highest median expression among clinically validated and emerging ADC targets in ovarian and endometrial cancers, ranging from 2- to >100-fold higher than other targets. In high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, the most common subtype, MUC16 expression was stable across disease stages, metastatic status, and platinum sensitivity. Similarly, in endometrial cancer, MUC16 was most highly expressed in the aggressive serous adenocarcinoma subtype, with stable expression across stages and metastatic status. Whitehawk's next-generation MUC16-targeted ADC, HWK-016, is designed to overcome limitations of earlier MUC16-directed ADCs by selectively targeting the membrane-bound, non-shed portion of the protein.

  • The analysis was conducted as part of a previously announced collaboration between Whitehawk and Tempus AI.
  • The posters will be accessible on the Presentations page of the Investors & News section of Whitehawk's website.
  • Initial clinical data for HWK-016 are expected in the first half of 2027.

The players

Whitehawk Therapeutics

A clinical-stage oncology therapeutics company applying advanced technologies to established tumor biology to efficiently deliver improved cancer treatments.

Kathleen N. Moore, MD

Deputy Director and Director of Phase 1 Oncology Trials at The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Margaret Dugan, MD

Chief Medical Officer of Whitehawk Therapeutics.

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What they’re saying

“Across both ovarian and endometrial cancers, MUC16 shows a high level of stable expression that is uncommon among many therapeutic targets. The consistency of MUC16 expression across disease stage and platinum sensitivity supports the relevance of a MUC16-targeted ADC in earlier-line settings, as well as for heavily pretreated patients and as part of combination strategies.”

— Kathleen N. Moore, MD, Deputy Director and Director of Phase 1 Oncology Trials, The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center

“The real-world data reported at SGO reinforce MUC16 as a 'super expressed' and durable target for gynecological cancers, strengthening the biological rationale for HWK-016. By combining selective targeting of the membrane‑bound, non‑shed portion of MUC16 with our differentiated carbon‑bridge cystine‑repairing linker‑payload technology, HWK‑016 exemplifies our broader strategy of applying advanced ADC engineering to well‑validated tumor biology to potentially generate meaningfully improved outcomes for patients.”

— Margaret Dugan, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Whitehawk Therapeutics

What’s next

Initial clinical data for HWK-016 are expected in the first half of 2027.

The takeaway

The consistent and high expression of MUC16 across ovarian and endometrial cancer subtypes and disease stages supports the potential of Whitehawk's MUC16-targeted ADC, HWK-016, to provide meaningful clinical benefit for patients with these difficult-to-treat gynecologic cancers.