Aethlon Medical Advances Australian Oncology Trial and Expands Hemopurifier Patent Portfolio Through Fiscal Year 2026

Aethlon Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEMD), a clinical-stage medical therapeutic company focused on developing treatments for cancer and life-threatening viral infections, reported financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, alongside a corporate update highlighting significant clinical and intellectual property advancements.

During fiscal 2026, Aethlon advanced its Australian oncology study by completing enrollment and treatment in the first two dosing cohorts and entering the third and final cohort. The first participant in Cohort 3 was treated at Royal North Shore Hospital in Australia, receiving three Hemopurifier sessions over one week without device deficiencies or immediate complications. This milestone maintains enrollment momentum and moves the study closer to generating comprehensive data across all planned dosing regimens.

An independent Data Safety Monitoring Board reviewed Cohort 2 data, identifying no safety concerns and recommending progression to the final cohort. Screening for 3 to 6 participants in Cohort 3 is ongoing at three investigative sites. The study, involving nine to eighteen patients with solid tumors stable or progressing on anti-PD-1 agents Keytruda® or Opdivo®, aims to evaluate Hemopurifier safety, feasibility, and optimal dosing.

Serial measurements of extracellular vesicles and T cells from Cohort 2 participants were conducted by the University of Sydney's central lab. Formal statistical analyses comparing the effects of the three dosing regimens will be performed by a contract research organization upon trial completion.

Beyond oncology, Aethlon expanded preclinical research exploring Hemopurifier applications in rheumatoid arthritis and chronic kidney disease. These studies assess extracellular vesicle removal from patient plasma samples, supporting potential platform expansion into additional disease categories with significant unmet medical needs.

The company also continued evaluating Hemopurifier compatibility with a simplified blood treatment system under development by Stavro Medical. Initial testing of flow rates and fluid transfer has been completed, with future studies planned to assess removal of extracellular vesicle surrogate markers. This approach could broaden treatment settings and enhance scalability and accessibility if successfully developed.

Aethlon strengthened its intellectual property portfolio with new patents issued in the United States and Europe covering Hemopurifier applications for coronavirus-related conditions, including acute COVID-19 coagulopathy and Long COVID symptoms. These patents extend protection for certain uses of the Hemopurifier into the 2040s, enhancing the platform's long-term value.

Following fiscal year-end, an IEEE Spectrum interview featuring Aethlon's Chief Medical Officer and a physician involved in Ebola virus disease treatment highlighted the company's experience with the Hemopurifier during the 2014 outbreak. In response to renewed public health interest in Ebola, Aethlon confirmed the availability of its FDA-authorized expanded access (compassionate use) protocol and shared relevant data with global and U.S. emerging pathogen preparedness organizations, including the World Health Organization's R&D Blueprint expert panel and the National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center.

Financially, Aethlon reported approximately $5.0 million in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2026, supporting ongoing clinical and research programs. Subsequent to year-end, the company raised approximately $1.85 million in net proceeds through its at-the-market equity offering program, further strengthening its balance sheet.

Consolidated operating expenses decreased 21.9% year-over-year to approximately $7.3 million for fiscal 2026, down from $9.3 million in the prior year. This reduction reflected disciplined expense management, including a $1.1 million decrease in payroll and related costs, a $500,000 reduction in general and administrative expenses, and a $400,000 decline in professional fees.

Correspondingly, the operating loss narrowed to approximately $7.3 million from $9.3 million in fiscal 2025. Other income totaled approximately $142,000 for fiscal 2026, primarily from interest income on cash balances, compared to other expenses of approximately $4 million in the prior year, which included $4.7 million in non-cash financing-related charges.

James Frakes, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Aethlon Medical, stated, "Fiscal 2026 was a year of meaningful execution for Aethlon as we advanced our Australian oncology study through the first two cohorts and recently initiated Cohort 3. Advancement into the final cohort represents an important clinical milestone as we work toward generating data that may help define the optimal treatment regimen and guide future development decisions. We also strengthened the Hemopurifier platform through expansion of our intellectual property portfolio and advancement of preclinical research supporting potential applications beyond oncology. Combined with our continued focus on managing operating expenses, these achievements position us to pursue multiple value-creating opportunities across our clinical and research programs."