BioNTech

BNT113 (tenumomeran/raplemomeran)

In Development

Investigational mRNA cancer immunotherapy encoding the HPV16 E6 and E7 proteins, also called tenu-ra. It is designed to induce HPV16-specific immune responses alongside checkpoint-inhibitor treatment. The lead study is AHEAD-MERIT (NCT04534205), a Phase 2/3 trial of BNT113 plus pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone in first-line unresectable recurrent or metastatic HPV16-positive, PD-L1-expressing head and neck cancer.

Latest update Oct 14, 2026

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Current status

BioNTech announced FDA Fast Track on 21 January 2026 for HPV16-positive, PD-L1-expressing head and neck cancer. On 13 October 2026 the company reported that the Phase 3 part missed its progression-free-survival dual primary; numerical PFS was not disclosed. Overall survival continues and can still make the trial positive. ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study as active, not recruiting, with 358 participants and primary completion in August 2028.

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Upcoming milestones2

Announced next steps from BioNTech that mention BNT113 (tenumomeran/raplemomeran).

  1. 2026-2027

    Additional 2026-2027 late-stage cancer readouts

    Deliver further pivotal data across the now-14-trial pivotal pipeline: gotistobart's pivotal Phase 3 PRESERVE-003 stage 2 in squamous NSCLC (after non-pivotal stage 1 at WCLC 2026 posted 18.5 vs 10.0 months median OS versus docetaxel, plus January 2026 FDA Orphan Drug Designation), the BNT113 mRNA vaccine in HPV16-positive head and neck cancer, and early pivotal progress for the newly Phase 3 elfetabart drozuntecan (BNT324) in prostate cancer, dosed since May 2026. Management guided to three late-stage readouts across immunomodulator, ADC and mRNA cancer-immunotherapy programs before year-end 2026; the WCLC 2026 gotistobart OS update is one of those visibility points, while registrational stage 2 remains the confirmation test.

  2. 2026

    AHEAD-MERIT overall-survival readout for BNT113

    TargetOS dual primary continues after the Oct 13, 2026 PFS miss; ClinicalTrials.gov lists primary completion August 2028

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