AKS-701d

AKS-701d is a monoclonal antibody therapeutic developed by Akston Biosciences specifically for canine oncology, with a primary focus on canine bladder cancer (urothelial carcinoma). As a checkpoint inhibitor, it targets Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), blocking its interaction with the PD-1 receptor on T-cells. This mechanism prevents the tumor from suppressing the immune system, thereby enhancing the dog's natural anti-tumor immune response. The drug is currently in pilot testing and is being developed under an accelerated regulatory pathway eligible for conditional licensure from the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). Akston Biosciences utilizes its own GMP-compliant manufacturing facility to produce this protein-based therapeutic.