Whitehawk Therapeutics Shares Rise on Collaboration with Tempus AI for Oncology Research

Strategic Partnership Drives Oncology Sector Interest

Whitehawk Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: WHWK) saw a substantial increase in its share price following the announcement on October 16, 2025, of a multi-year collaboration with Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM). This partnership is set to leverage Tempus' extensive real-world dataset to advance biomarker-driven oncology research, specifically supporting Whitehawk's pipeline of antibody drug conjugate (ADC) cancer treatments. The news ignited strong investor confidence in the biotechnology and oncology sectors, particularly in companies driving innovation through AI in healthcare.

The Collaboration in Detail: Leveraging AI for Precision Oncology

The agreement outlines a strategic alliance where Whitehawk Therapeutics will integrate Tempus' proprietary de-identified multimodal database into its research and development initiatives. The primary objective is to enhance the design of clinical trials by focusing on specific patient populations with demonstrably high unmet needs. This data-driven approach is critical for optimizing the development of Whitehawk's ADC portfolio, which includes three assets targeting clinically validated proteins—PTK7, MUC16, and SEZ6—known to be broadly expressed in significant cancer indications such as lung and gynecological cancers.

Ryan Fukushima, Chief Operating Officer of Tempus, articulated the synergy:

"Tempus' comprehensive, multimodal data, paired with Whitehawk's ADC drug development expertise, create a powerful foundation to validate the potential of their portfolio in a promising class of targeted cancer therapeutics."

Echoing this sentiment, Dave Lennon, PhD, President and CEO of Whitehawk Therapeutics, emphasized the proactive biomarker strategy:

"By partnering with Tempus, our goal is to better understand the expression of our ADC protein targets to inform indication prioritization for our clinical development programs and better exploit the full potential of our pipeline."

The collaboration also seeks to establish concordance between RNA and immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression of targets, potentially refining patient identification capabilities for ADC therapies through more objective and scalable RNA testing methods.

Market Reaction: Significant Gains in Biotechnology

Investor enthusiasm was palpable following the announcement. Whitehawk Therapeutics (WHWK) shares experienced a significant surge, closing up 67%. This sharp ascent underscores a bullish market sentiment surrounding Whitehawk's prospects and the potential of its ADC pipeline to address critical needs in cancer treatment. Trading volume for WHWK also saw a notable increase, signaling robust investor activity and speculative interest.

Tempus AI (TEM), the technology company at the forefront of AI adoption in precision medicine, also observed a positive market response, with its stock advancing 4.29%. While Tempus reported a negative ($0.22) Earnings Per Share (EPS) for its last quarter, this figure nonetheless surpassed analyst consensus estimates of ($0.23). The company's revenue of $314.64 million also exceeded analyst projections of $296.84 million, marking an 89.5% year-over-year growth. Analysts from firms such as Needham & Company LLC, Guggenheim, and HC Wainwright have reiterated "buy" ratings on Tempus AI, with price targets ranging from $70.00 to $98.00, indicating continued confidence in its long-term growth trajectory and pivotal role in healthcare innovation.

Broader Implications: Advancing Precision Medicine

This collaboration highlights the increasing convergence of artificial intelligence and biotechnology to accelerate drug discovery and development. The integration of Tempus' real-world data with Whitehawk's oncology expertise is poised to potentially shorten development timelines and enhance the success rates of clinical trials. Such partnerships are critical for advancing precision medicine, allowing for more targeted therapies that benefit specific patient populations.

Both companies stand to strengthen their competitive positions within the rapidly evolving landscape of oncology and precision medicine. The success of this collaboration could also attract further investment and partnerships within the broader oncology and biotechnology sectors, particularly in areas leveraging AI for drug development and biomarker identification, further validating the potential of data-driven approaches in healthcare.

Looking Ahead: Future Watchpoints in Biotech Innovation

Investors and industry observers will closely monitor the progress of Whitehawk's ADC pipeline as it moves through clinical development, particularly with the optimized trial designs facilitated by Tempus' data. Key factors to watch include upcoming milestones in clinical trials, further announcements regarding biomarker validation, and any regulatory developments pertaining to Whitehawk's drug candidates. The ongoing role of AI in refining therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes will remain a significant theme in the biotechnology sector, with successful collaborations like this setting a precedent for future innovations. Market participants will be attentive to how this partnership translates into tangible advancements in cancer treatment and sustained financial performance for both Tempus AI and Whitehawk Therapeutics. More broadly, the market will continue to assess the impact of such technological integrations on overall pharmaceutical R&D efficiency and healthcare outcomes.