Among the many newsworthy trials presented at ESMO, here are 4 that caught our attention. Three in gastroesophageal cancer: -- CLARITY-GASTRIC01 trial of AstraZeneca’s sonesitatug vedotin, HERIZON-GEA-01 trial of Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ Ziihera (zanidatamab),. And one in non-small cell lung cancer: OptiTROP-Lung06 and OptiTROP-Lung04 trials of Merck MSD and Kelun-Biotech’s sacituzumab tirumotecan

Four studies presented at ASBMR looked at new approaches for treating osteoporosis. They were all very early but intriguing: AntlerA Therapeutics’ FL5, a Wnt surrogate that activates bone formation; a bispecific antibody targeting sclerostin and TGF-β being investigated at Seoul National University; MS-Hu6, a humanized FSH-blocking antibody being investigated at Mount Sinai; and a study on the role of bone marrow fat cells

Medical Calendar 2027

Here is the medical news to watch for October 26-November 2, 2026

At the all-virtual 2026 LGMD Scientific Summit, the development landscape for limb girdle muscular dystrophy ranged from early AAV gene-transfer studies reporting molecular and functional signals to a fully enrolled Phase III program moving into long-term follow-up. Together, these presentations showed that LGMD treatment is moving beyond a single measure of success.

Intravitreal gene therapy was a hot topic at ASRS this year. In age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), the data looked promising for: 4D Molecular Therapeutics’ 4D-150 – the PRISM trial; Adverum Biotechnologies’ ixoberogene soroparvovec (ixo-vec) – the LUNA and OPTIC trials; REGENXBIO and AbbVie’s surabgene lomparvovec (sura-vec), and Elisigen and Reyon Pharmaceutical’s NG-101 – the SENSE trial. And in advanced geographic atrophy (GA), there were promising data for Astellas Pharma’s ASP-7317.

Less frequent dosing – both for PrEP and for HIV treatment – is on the horizon. Data presented at the International AIDS Conference suggest there may soon be: (1) A once every 6-month injectable for PrEP: Gilead Sciences’ Yeztugo (lenacapavir), and (2) A once-weekly oral for HIV treatment: Merck MSD’s islatravir + Gilead Sciences’ lenacapavir. However, the question is how long-interval dosing will be adopted, and if the experience with longer-acting treatments for HIV is a predictor, uptake may be slow.

Several studies were presented at AAIC that posed interesting questions: Is there a link between Covid-19 and Alzheimer’s disease? Is there a link between gabapentinoids and Alzheimer’s? Do GLP-1 RAs lower mortality in dementia patients? Can a blood test help diagnose Alzheimer’s? Are SQ injections better than IV infusions for treating dementia?