Preclinical work disclosed a first‑in‑class fusion protein able to reverse T‑cell exhaustion across multiple tumor models, while an alternative next‑generation IL‑12 program (STK‑026) surfaced with an improved safety profile. Companies and academic teams described both advances as efforts to harness potent immune-stimulatory pathways while mitigating hematologic and systemic toxicities. The IL-10-based fusion and STK‑026 data emphasize two parallel strategies: augmenting effector T‑cell function and re‑engineering classic cytokines for acceptable therapeutic windows. Presentations cited robust antitumor activity in animal models and safety signals compatible with planned IND-enabling studies. Translational teams and investors will focus on manufacturability, biomarker strategies for patient selection, and combinability with checkpoint inhibitors—areas that determine clinical value and commercial potential for cytokine‑based immunotherapies.