{"id":960924,"date":"2026-05-11T16:20:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:20:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/aura-biosciences-reports-first-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-business-highlights\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T16:20:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:20:51","slug":"aura-biosciences-reports-first-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-business-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/aura-biosciences-reports-first-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-business-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Aura Biosciences Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Business Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Phase 3 CoMpass trial advancing toward enrollment completion, supporting 2H 2027 topline data<\/em>\n <\/p>\n

\n Natalie Holles appointed Chief Executive Officer and President and member of the Board of Directors<\/em>\n <\/p>\n

\n Strengthened balance sheet with oversubscribed $299 million equity financing; cash position expected to fund operations into 2H 2028<\/em>\n <\/p>\n

BOSTON, May 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aura Biosciences, Inc.<\/u><\/a> (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapies for solid tumors designed to preserve organ function, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, and provided recent business highlights.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are entering a pivotal period for Aura as we advance our Phase 3 CoMpass trial toward enrollment completion and potential registration,\u201d said Natalie Holles, Chief Executive Officer of Aura Biosciences. \u201cBel-sar has the potential to become the first frontline, vision-preserving therapy for patients with early choroidal melanoma, and we are on track to deliver topline data from the CoMpass trial in the second half of 2027. Supported by our strengthened balance sheet, we are focused on executing against these priorities and translating this progress into long-term value for patients and shareholders.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Recent Pipeline Developments <\/u>
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\n Early Choroidal Melanoma<\/em>
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The ongoing Phase 3 CoMpass trial is the first registration-enabling study in early choroidal melanoma. This global, randomized Phase 3 trial is evaluating bel-sar versus a sham control. The trial is advancing toward enrollment completion, which is expected by mid-2026, with topline data for the 15-month primary endpoint anticipated in the second half of 2027.<\/p>\n

Bel-sar has the potential to become the first frontline vision-preserving therapy in this setting. The Company previously received Orphan Drug Designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency and Fast Track designation from the FDA for the treatment of early choroidal melanoma. The CoMpass trial is under a Special Protocol Assessment agreement with the FDA.<\/p>\n

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\n Metastases to the Choroid<\/em>
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The ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of bel-sar in metastases to the choroid continues to enroll patients. The study is designed to include patients with choroidal metastases arising from a range of primary solid tumors and to evaluate early proof-of-concept based on a four-week efficacy endpoint. The Company remains on track to report early data from this trial in 2026.<\/p>\n

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\n Cancers of the Ocular Surface<\/em>
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The Company is initiating a Phase 1 proof-of-concept trial in Australia to assess safety, feasibility and tumor response through histopathologic evaluation at a 2\u20134-week time point. Development activities for this program are ongoing, with early proof-of-concept data expected in 2026.<\/p>\n

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\n Bladder Cancer <\/em>
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The ongoing Phase 1b\/2 trial evaluating additional doses and cycles of bel-sar across intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients continues to advance, with initial 3-month clinical data expected mid-2026.<\/p>\n

The trial is evaluating two approaches: immune ablative and neoadjuvant. In the immune ablative arm, bel-sar is given in two cycles without a transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT). In the neoadjuvant arm, bel-sar is given in two cycles before TURBT. Patients are monitored for response, recurrence (at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months), and safety.<\/p>\n

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\n Corporate Updates<\/u>
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As previously announced on May 4, 2026, the Company\u2019s Board of Directors appointed\u00a0Natalie Holles\u00a0as Chief Executive Officer and President and member of the Board of Directors, effective\u00a0April 30, 2026.\u00a0Ms. Holles\u00a0succeeds\u00a0Elisabet de\u00a0los Pinos, Ph.D., the Company\u2019s founder, who stepped down from her roles as Chief Executive Officer and President and a member of the Board of Directors, effective on the same date.<\/p>\n

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\n First Quarter 2026 Financial Results <\/u>
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