NEEDHAM, Mass. — Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CADL) announced today that new data from its Phase 2 PrTK05 clinical trial, evaluating the investigational immunotherapy aglatimagene besadenovec in localized prostate cancer, has been selected for a late-breaking poster presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) 41st Annual Meeting. The conference is scheduled to take place in Phoenix, Arizona, from November 4–8, 2026.
The upcoming presentation, slated for Saturday, November 7, will provide a detailed look at the biological activity of aglatimagene when combined with valacyclovir and radiation therapy. Dr. Francesca Barone, Chief Scientific Officer at Candel Therapeutics, is set to present longitudinal immune-profiling findings alongside key data on viral shedding and biodistribution. These insights are expected to further characterize the drug’s performance in patients diagnosed with intermediate-risk, localized prostate cancer.
Aglatimagene besadenovec serves as Candel’s lead candidate from its adenoviral immunotherapy platform. The therapy is designed as an “off-the-shelf,” replication-defective adenovirus that delivers the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene directly into tumors. Upon the administration of the prodrug valacyclovir, the HSV-tk enzyme triggers immunogenic cell death, which in turn releases tumor antigens into the microenvironment. This process aims to incite a systemic CD8+ T cell-mediated immune response, potentially attacking not only the primary tumor site but also distant metastases.
The clinical profile for aglatimagene has been a point of focus for the biopharmaceutical industry, given its versatile approach to solid tumors. The candidate has already demonstrated favorable tolerability in more than 1,000 patients across various clinical trials. Its therapeutic potential has been recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through several critical designations, including Fast Track and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designations for prostate cancer, as well as Fast Track and Orphan Drug status for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Candel Therapeutics continues to leverage its two core platforms—genetically modified adenovirus and herpes simplex virus (HSV) gene constructs—to develop treatments that elicit individualized, systemic anti-tumor immune responses. Beyond the prostate cancer trial, the company is actively engaged in a Phase 3 trial for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a Phase 1b trial for recurrent high-grade glioma (rHGG).
While the data to be presented at SITC represents a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the company’s lead asset, Candel notes that aglatimagene remains an investigational product and has not yet received approval from the FDA or any other regulatory authority. Investors and stakeholders are looking toward the November 7 presentation as a key indicator of the therapeutic’s ability to drive meaningful immune-modulatory effects in patients.
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