On August 12, 2025 SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SLS) ("SELLAS’’ or the "Company"), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for a broad range of cancer indications, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, and provided a corporate update (Press release, Sellas Life Sciences, AUG 12, 2025, View Source [SID1234655162]).

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"We continue to make significant progress in advancing our AML-focused pipeline, as demonstrated by the positive Phase 2 results evaluating our novel CDK9 inhibitor, SLS009, for the treatment of r/r AML," said Angelos Stergiou, MD, ScD h.c., President and Chief Executive Officer of SELLAS. "The Phase 2 trial met all primary endpoints, achieving a 44% response rate among patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia-Myelodysplasia-Related Changes (AML-MRC), which at the optimal dose level, nearly tripled the median overall survival compared to a historical benchmark. Based on the strength of these data, we conducted an end-of-Phase 2 meeting and the FDA recommended advancing SLS009 into the front-line setting for AML. We are now preparing an 80-patient trial that is focused on newly diagnosed and early refractory to venetoclax and azacitidine AML patients, with enrollment anticipated to begin by Q1 2026."

Dr. Stergiou continued, "During the quarter, we also presented promising preclinical data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) supporting SLS009 as a potential targeted therapy for ASXL1 mutated colorectal cancer and strengthened our scientific leadership with the addition of three world-class oncology experts to our Scientific Advisory Board. With the final pivotal Phase 3 REGAL data of GPS in AML expected by year-end, positive Phase 2 data of SLS009 in r/r AML, and our upcoming ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) presentation showcasing SLS009’s impact in T-PLL, we enter the second half of 2025 with tremendous momentum and a clear focus on advancing our late-stage clinical programs and growing shareholder value."

Recent Corporate Highlights:

Phase 3 REGAL Trial of GPS: On August 7, 2025, SELLAS announced that the IDMC completed a pre-specified analysis of the Phase 3 REGAL trial of GPS in AML and issued a positive recommendation to continue the trial without modification. The IDMC concluded that the risk-benefit profile of GPS supports continued evaluation under the current study protocol. No safety concerns were identified, and available efficacy data were consistent with expectations for continued trial conduct. The final analysis will be conducted once 80 events (deaths) are reached and is anticipated by year-end.

Announced Positive Results from Phase 2 Trial of SLS009 in r/r AML: The trial met all primary endpoints, demonstrating a 44% response rate among patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia-Myelodysplasia-Related Changes (AML-MRC) at an optimal dose of 30 mg twice weekly and 50% in AML-MRC with myelomonocytic/myelomonoblastic (M4/M5) subtype, significantly exceeding the targeted 20% ORR. In addition, the treatment achieved a median overall survival (mOS) of 8.9 months in AML-MRC patients, while all relapsed or refractory to venetoclax-based regimens patients receiving 30 mg BIW achieved a mOS of 8.8 months, far surpassing the historical benchmark of 2.4 months.

SLS009 End-of-Phase 2 Meeting: The FDA recommended that SELLAS proceed into a trial to include newly diagnosed, first-line AML patients eligible for venetoclax/azacitidine (aza/ven) therapy, where the Agency believes clinical benefit might be greatest. The randomized 80-patient trial is currently in preparation and is expected to begin enrollment by Q1 2026. The FDA indicated a preference for response rate as the primary endpoint. The trial will include two groups: 1) predictive biomarker cohort of newly diagnosed patients unlikely to benefit from standard aza/ven therapy based on molecular profiling, and 2) early resistance cohort of patients who initiate treatment with aza/ven but demonstrate confirmed lack of any response after two treatment cycles. Whether additional patients will be needed – either for broader study expansion or only within one of the study arms – will depend on the outcomes observed in the initial cohorts (n=40 per arm). This study may support a New Drug Application (NDA), including accelerated approval.

Presented Preclinical Efficacy of SLS009 in ASXL1 Mutated Colorectal Cancer at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2025: The presentation demonstrated SLS009’s ability to selectively target ASXL1-driven tumors at concentrations well below the known safety threshold. The ASXL1 mutation status could serve as a potential biomarker for response to SLS009 inhibition, which may allow the Company to further refine patient selection and improve outcomes.

Expanded Scientific Advisory Board: New members, Philip C. Amrein, MD, Alex Kentsis, MD, PhD, and Linghua Wang, MD, PhD, bring decades of expertise in cancer research, clinical oncology, and translational medicine, further strengthening the Company’s strategic guidance as it advances its pipeline.

Announced Inclusion in the Russell 3000 and Russell 2000 Indexes: The Russell 3000 Index tracks the performance of the largest 3,000 publicly traded U.S. companies and serves as a broad benchmark for the U.S. equity market. The Russell 2000 Index, a subset of the Russell 3000, measures the performance of the small-cap stocks and represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Preclinical Efficacy of SLS009 in T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia (T-PLL) to be Showcased at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2025: The poster, entitled, CDK9 Inhibition Enhances Venetoclax Activity and Prolongs Survival in a T-PLL Patient-Derived Xenograft Model, will be presented during the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) congress to be held in Berlin, 17-21 October 2025.

Financial Results for the Second Quarter 2025:

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 were $3.9 million compared to $5.2 million for the same period in 2024. Research and development expenses in the first half of 2025 were $7.1 million compared to $10.3 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in clinical trial expenses, manufacturing costs and clinical drug supply purchases, and clinical and regulatory consulting costs, which were primarily driven by the completion of enrollment in the REGAL study in the first quarter of 2024.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2025 were $3.0 million compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2024. The $0.6 million increase was primarily attributable to increases in professional fees, personnel related expenses, including non-cash stock-based compensation, and outside services and public company costs. General and administrative expenses were $5.9 million for the first half of 2025 compared to $7.0 million for the same period in 2024. The $1.1 million decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in personnel related expenses driven by the initial recognition of a one-time severance charge in the prior period.

Net Loss: The net loss was $6.6 million for the second quarter of 2025, or a basic and diluted loss per share of $0.07, compared to a net loss of $7.5 million for the second quarter of 2024, or a basic and diluted loss per share of $0.13. The net loss was $12.4 million for the first half of 2025, or a basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.13, compared to a net loss of $17.0 million for the first half of 2024, or a basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.33.

Cash Position: As of June 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $25.3 million. Subsequent to June 30, 2025, the Company received $4.0 million in proceeds in July 2025 from the exercise of warrants.

On August 12, 2025 PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB) ("PDS Biotech" or the "Company"), a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers, reported a business update and announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Press release, PDS Biotechnology, AUG 12, 2025, View Source [SID1234655161]).

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"Our second quarter of 2025 and recent weeks have been a productive period for PDS Biotech, highlighted by the continued progress in our VERSATILE-003 Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating PDS0101 (Versamune HPV) in HPV16-positive recurrent/metastatic ("R/M") head and neck squamous cell carcinoma ("HNSCC"). Highlights also included the announcement and presentation of data from our VERSATILE-002 trial which we believe demonstrates the potential durable clinical benefit of PDS0101," said Frank Bedu-Addo, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of PDS Biotech. "We look forward to publishing the full data set for this trial later this year, as we continue to progress our VERSATILE-003 trial, the only registrational stage trial specifically targeting HPV16-positive HNSCC patients."

Clinical and Corporate Update

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Announced Colorectal Cancer Cohort of Phase 2 Clinical Trial with PDS01ADC. Met Criteria for Expansion to Stage 2 Following Positive Stage 1 Results

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Metastatic colorectal cancer cohort in study led by the National Cancer Institute demonstrated promising response rate (≥6 of 9 confirmed objective responses by RECIST v1.1), triggering enrollment expansion under Simon Two-Stage design

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Three abstracts on PDS0101 (Versamune HPV) were presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting, highlighting updated positive data from the VERSATILE-002 trial, and additional trials evaluating PDS0101 to treat head and neck cancers

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On May 8, 2025, the Company announced preclinical immune response data with a novel Infectimune based universal flu vaccine were featured in two presentations on universal influenza vaccines, including an oral symposium at the American Association of Immunologists’ IMMUNOLOGY2025 Annual Meeting.

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Reported net loss was $9.4 million, or $0.21 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $8.3 million, or $0.23 per basic share and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase in net loss was primarily due to higher net interest expenses, partially offset by lower personnel costs.

Research and development expenses were $4.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to lower personnel costs, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs.

General and administrative expenses were $3.4 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $4.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to lower personnel costs and lower professional fees.

Total operating expenses were $7.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $8.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Net interest expenses were $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to debt repayment costs.

The Company’s cash balance as of June 30, 2025 was $31.9 million, compared to $41.7 million as of December 31, 2024.

Conference Call Details

Date: August 13, 2025
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On August 12, 2025 ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORIC), a clinical stage oncology company focused on developing treatments that address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, reported financial results and operational updates for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Press release, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, AUG 12, 2025, View Source [SID1234655160]).

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"In the first half of the year, we’ve continued to make steady progress towards the potential initiation of Phase 3 studies in 2026 for ORIC-944 in prostate cancer and ORIC-114 (now enozertinib) in lung cancer, and we were pleased to further strengthen our cash position and runway with recent financing activity," stated Jacob M. Chacko, M.D., president and chief executive officer. "As our clinical programs have progressed closer to registrational studies, it necessitates that we increase our focus and direct our expenditures solely on those programs, and so we’ve made the tough, but prudent, decision to substantially reduce our investment in discovery research. This reprioritization and additional financing further extend our cash runway into the second half of 2028. It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our colleagues impacted by the resulting workforce reduction. We are grateful for their many contributions to ORIC, we’re deeply sorry for the upheaval they are experiencing, and we sincerely hope to honor them by advancing our clinical pipeline to benefit patients as rapidly as possible."

Second Quarter 2025 and Other Recent Highlights

ORIC-944: a potent and selective allosteric inhibitor of PRC2

Reported preliminary efficacy and safety data in May 2025, from the ongoing Phase 1b trial of ORIC-944 in combination with AR inhibitors, supporting the potential of ORIC-944 as a best-in-class PRC2 inhibitor that may benefit a broad range of patients with prostate cancer. The data reported as of the May 2025 presentation cutoff dates included:
Broad and deep PSA responses achieved, with 59% PSA50 response rate (confirmed rate of 47%) and 24% PSA90 response rate (all confirmed) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
PSA responses were observed across all ORIC-944 dose levels and at comparable rates in combination with apalutamide and with darolutamide; majority of patients were still ongoing with multiple patients approaching one year or more.
Both combination regimens demonstrated a safety profile compatible with long term dosing, with the vast majority of adverse events Grade 1 or 2 and no Grade 4 events.
Presented preclinical ORIC-944 data at the 2025 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting demonstrating synergistic activity and improved progression-free survival when combined with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors in both castration-resistant and castration-sensitive prostate cancer models, validating the clinical exploration of ORIC-944 across the continuum of prostate cancer.
Enozertinib (formerly ORIC-114): a brain penetrant inhibitor that selectively targets EGFR exon 20, HER2 exon 20 and EGFR atypical mutations

Continue to enroll Phase 1b trial of enozertinib as a single-agent in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR exon 20, HER2 exon 20, or EGFR atypical mutations, including patients with CNS metastases that are either treated or untreated but asymptomatic, across our 2L+ dose optimization cohorts and 1L expansion cohorts.
Continue to enroll Phase 1b trial of enozertinib in combination with subcutaneous (SC) amivantamab in 1L NSCLC patients with EGFR exon 20 mutations.
The World Health Organization International Nonproprietary Names (INN) expert committee has approved "enozertinib" as the nonproprietary (generic) name for ORIC-114.
Corporate Highlights:

Completed a $125 million private placement financing with participation from new and existing healthcare specialist funds and $119 million in issuances from the ATM (at-the-market) facility. Given current cash and investment position, the Company concluded ATM usage and doesn’t expect to utilize the ATM facility for the foreseeable future.
Announced strategic pipeline prioritization to focus operational and financial resources on the continued advancement of the two lead clinical programs, ORIC-944 and enozertinib. This initiative will result in the elimination of the discovery research group with a corresponding 20% workforce reduction. The Company expects to incur a one-time charge of approximately $1.9 million in the third quarter, primarily related to termination benefits, including severance and healthcare-related benefits. The Company will explore potential partnering of its preclinical programs.
As a result of the strategic pipeline prioritization, cash runway is expected to fund the revised operating plan into 2H 2028 (previously 2H 2027), which is beyond anticipated primary endpoint readouts from the first Phase 3 trials for ORIC-944 and enozertinib.
Anticipated Program Milestones:

ORIC anticipates the following upcoming data milestones:

ORIC-944 (mCRPC):
2H 2025: Updated Phase 1b combination data with AR inhibitor(s)
1Q 2026: Combination dose optimization data with AR inhibitor(s)
Enozertinib (ORIC-114) (NSCLC):
2H 2025: 1L EGFR exon 20, 2L EGFR exon 20, 2L+ HER2 exon 20 and 2L+ EGFR atypical data
Mid-2026: 1L EGFR atypical data and 1L EGFR exon 20 combination with SC amivantamab data
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments: Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $327.7 million as of June 30, 2025, which includes proceeds from $125.0 million private placement financing in May 2025 and $8.9 million in proceeds from an at-the-market offering of common stock during the quarter. Subsequent to the quarter ended June 30, 2025, the Company raised an additional $108.7 million in net proceeds under the ATM program resulting in proforma cash and investments of $436.4 million as of June 30, 2025. The Company now expects its cash and investments to fund the revised operating plan into 2H 2028.
R&D Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were $30.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $28.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $1.6 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, R&D expenses were $55.2 million, compared to $50.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $4.3 million. The increases were due to higher personnel costs, including additional non-cash stock-based compensation, and costs related to the advancement of enozertinib, offset primarily by lower costs from discontinued programs.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $8.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $7.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $1.4 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, G&A expenses were $16.6 million, compared to $14.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $2.5 million. The increases were primarily due to higher personnel costs and professional services, including additional non-cash stock-based compensation.

On August 12, 2025 Nkarta, Inc. (Nasdaq: NKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered natural killer (NK) cell therapies, reported financial results for the second quarter and year ended June 30, 2025 (Press release, Nkarta, AUG 12, 2025, View Source [SID1234655159]).

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"We remain focused on the execution of our clinical trials and continue to believe in the differentiated potential of NK cell therapy to address unmet needs in the treatment of autoimmune diseases," said Paul J. Hastings, CEO of Nkarta. "Welcoming Dr. Rose and other key new members of our clinical team with rheumatology experience has provided us with world-class medical expertise to inform our ongoing enrollment of patients across our clinical studies and investigator-sponsored trials. Dr. Rose’s track record as a seasoned rheumatologist, immunologist and accomplished drug developer in the autoimmune space will be invaluable as we continue to advance our NKX019 clinical trial programs."

NKX019 Clinical Program Progress and Upcoming Milestones

NKX019 clinical programs in autoimmune diseases continue to enroll patients. This includes Ntrust-1, Ntrust-2 and two investigator-sponsored trials.
Preliminary data from the Ntrust-1 and Ntrust-2 clinical trials is planned for release in the second half of 2025.
Other Corporate Updates

Shawn Rose, M.D. Ph.D, was appointed Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research and Development in June 2025. In previous roles with Johnson & Johnson, BMS and emerging biopharma companies, Dr. Rose brought forward more than a dozen programs from discovery into clinical development, and he has developed multiple pioneering approved medicines for autoimmune conditions.
Second Quarter 2025 and Recent Financial Highlights

Nkarta had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and investments in marketable securities of $334.0 million as of June 30, 2025.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $20.8 million for the second quarter of 2025. Non-cash stock-based compensation expense included in R&D expense was $0.9 million for the second quarter of 2025.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $6.4 million for the second quarter of 2025. Non-cash stock-based compensation expense included in G&A expense was $1.2 million for the second quarter of 2025.
Net loss was $23.0 million, or $0.31 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of 2025. This net loss includes non-cash charges of $3.4 million that consisted primarily of share-based compensation and depreciation expenses.
Financial Guidance

Nkarta expects its current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its current operating plan into 2029.
About the Ntrust℠ Clinical Trials in Autoimmune Disease
Ntrust-1 (NCT06557265) and Ntrust-2 (NCT06733935) are multi-center, open label, dose escalation clinical trials that build on academic studies of durable, drug-free remissions in patients with autoimmune disease after CD19-targeted cell therapy. Both trials will assess the safety of NKX019 in people living with autoimmune diseases as well as its ability to enable long-term remissions via a "reset" of the immune system through the elimination of pathogenic B cells.

Ntrust-1 is initially enrolling up to 24 patients with lupus nephritis or primary membranous nephropathy. Ntrust-2 is initially enrolling up to 36 patients with systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, or ANCA-associated vasculitis.

In both studies, patients receive a three-dose cycle of NKX019 on Days 0, 3, and 7 following lymphodepleting conditioning with either fludarabine and cyclophosphamide or cyclophosphamide alone. Leveraging the engineering of NKX019, no patients in either trial will receive supplemental cytokines or antibody-based therapeutics. This approach is designed to evaluate the single-agent activity of NKX019 and facilitate a more rapid path to regulatory approval. Patients in Ntrust-1 may also receive additional cycles, if necessary, to restore response.

About the Investigator-Sponsored Clinical Trial of NKX019 for Generalized Myasthenia Gravis
The single-arm, open-label Phase 1 investigator-sponsored clinical trial is designed to enroll patients with generalized myasthenia gravis and will evaluate safety and clinical outcomes. Translational and biomarker studies, including autoantibodies, cytokine profiles and pharmacokinetics are planned. Patients receive 3 doses of NKX019 following lymphodepletion. The clinical trial is being co-led by Ali A. Habib, M.D., Clinical Professor of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine, and other investigators.

About the Investigator-Sponsored Clinical Trial of NKX019 for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
The single-center, single-arm, open-label Phase 1 investigator-sponsored clinical trial (NCT06518668) is designed to enroll up to 6 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, regardless of renal involvement, and will evaluate safety and clinical outcomes in a potentially different population than Ntrust-1. Translational and biomarker studies, including autoantibodies, cytokine profiles and pharmacokinetics are planned. Patients receive 3 doses of NKX019 following lymphodepletion. The clinical trial is being led by Anca D. Askanase, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Lupus Center at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Director of Rheumatology Clinical Trials.

About NKX019
NKX019 is an allogeneic, cryopreserved, off-the-shelf immunotherapy candidate that uses natural killer (NK) cells derived from the peripheral blood of healthy adult donors. It is engineered with a humanized CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) for enhanced cell targeting and a proprietary, membrane-bound form of interleukin-15 (IL-15) for greater persistence and activity without exogenous cytokine support. CD19 is a biomarker for normal B cells as well as those implicated in autoimmune disease. Nkarta is evaluating NKX019 in multiple autoimmune conditions.

On August 12, 2025 Lyell Immunopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: LYEL), a late-stage clinical company advancing next-generation CAR T-cell therapies for patients with cancer, reported financial results and business highlights for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Press release, Lyell Immunopharma, AUG 12, 2025, View Source [SID1234655158]). Lyell’s lead clinical program, LYL314, is a next-generation autologous dual-targeting CD19/CD20 CAR T-cell product candidate under evaluation in PiNACLE, a single-arm pivotal trial enrolling patients with relapsed and/or refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) in the 3L+ setting and in a Phase 1/2 study in the 2L setting.

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"Based on the high rate of durable complete responses achieved by LYL314 in patients with aggressive LBCL presented at the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma in Lugano, Switzerland, in June, we believe that our CD19/CD20 CAR T-cell therapy will disrupt the therapeutic landscape by delivering meaningfully increased complete response rates and improved durability over the currently approved CD19 CAR T-cell therapies," said Lynn Seely, M.D., President and CEO of Lyell. "Our recent private placement with well-respected investors significantly derisks our business, extends our cash runway into mid-2027 and enables us to focus on rapidly advancing the clinical development of LYL314. We have initiated the PiNACLE single-arm pivotal trial for patients with LBCL receiving treatment in the third- or later-line setting and are on track to begin a second pivotal trial of LYL314 for patients with LBCL in the second-line setting by early 2026."

Second Quarter Updates and Recent Business Highlights

Lyell is advancing a pipeline of next-generation CAR T-cell product candidates targeting cancers with large unmet need and substantial patient populations. Its lead program, LYL314, is in pivotal development for patients with R/R LBCL and its preclinical programs target solid tumor indications.

LYL314: A next-generation dual-targeting CD19/CD20 CAR T-cell product candidate designed to increase complete response rates and prolong the duration of response as compared to approved CD19‑targeted CAR T-cell therapies for the treatment of LBCL

LYL314 is an autologous CAR T-cell product candidate with a true ‘OR’ logic gate to target B cells that express either CD19 or CD20 with full potency and that is manufactured with a process that enriches for CD62L-positive cells to generate more naïve and central memory CAR T cells with enhanced stemlike features and antitumor activity. Following a successful End-of-Phase 1 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), LYL314 is currently being evaluated in the pivotal PiNACLE trial, which is a seamless expansion of the 3L+ cohort of the Phase 1/2 trial of patients with R/R LBCL. The Phase 1/2 trial continues to enroll CAR T-cell therapy naïve patients receiving treatment in the 2L setting and a pivotal trial for these 2L patients is expected be initiated by early 2026. The FDA has granted LYL314 Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) and Fast Track designations for the treatment of R/R diffuse LBCL in the 3L+ setting. RMAT provides all the benefits of the Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designation programs and enables increased frequency of communications with the FDA on the development of LYL314.

PiNACLE is a single-arm pivotal trial evaluating LYL314 at a dose of 100 x 106 CAR T cells in patients with LBCL receiving treatment in the 3L+ setting. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 120 patients with R/R diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, transformed follicular lymphoma or Grade 3B follicular lymphoma who have not previously received CAR T-cell therapy. Patients may be treated with LYL314 in either the inpatient or outpatient setting and there is no upper age limit for eligibility. The primary endpoint of the trial is the overall response rate, including an evaluation of duration of response.
New clinical data from the Phase 1/2 multi-center clinical trial of LYL314 in patients with R/R LBCL were presented at the 18th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma in June and included more mature data from patients treated in the 3L+ setting and initial data from patients treated in the 2L setting. The data were presented in an oral presentation titled "LYL314, a CD19/CD20 CAR T‑cell candidate enriched for CD62L+ stem-like cells, achieves high rates of durable complete responses in relapsed and/or refractory large B-cell lymphoma". Highlights include:
Fifty-one CAR T-naive patients with R/R LBCL received LYL314 as of April 15, 2025 (the data cutoff date for the presentation). The efficacy evaluable population consisted of 36 patients with Day 84 assessments or prior disease progression or death. Patient demographics and baseline disease characteristics were consistent with high-risk patient populations: median ages of 65 and 69 years in the 3L+ and 2L, respectively, 41% of 3L+ and 65% of 2L patients had Stage IV disease at trial entry, and 47% of 3L+ and 82% of 2L patients had primary refractory disease.
In efficacy-evaluable 3L+ patients, with a median follow-up of 9 months (N = 25): The overall response rate was 88% (22/25 patients), with 72% (18/25) of patients achieving a complete response. 71% (10/14) of patients with complete response remained in complete response at ≥ 6 months.
In initial data from efficacy-evaluable 2L patients, with a median follow-up of 5 months (N = 11): The overall response rate was 91% (10/11 patients), with 64% (7/11) achieving a complete response. 100% (7/7) of patients with complete response were in complete response at their last assessment, including 3/3 patients at ≥ 6 months. In patients with primary refractory disease, a difficult to treat population, 70% (7/10) achieved a complete response.
In 51 patients, including patients from both the 3L+ and the 2L cohorts, a manageable safety profile appropriate for outpatient administration was observed. No Grade ≥ 3 and low rates of Grade 1 (22%) or Grade 2 (35%) cytokine release syndrome (CRS) were reported. Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) was reported in 6% (Grade 1), 2% (Grade 2), and 14% (Grade ≥ 3) of patients. The median time to complete resolution of all reports of ICANS was 5 days, with rapid improvement (median of 2 days) to Grade 2 or lower with standard therapy. No deaths were related to LYL314 administration. LYL314 demonstrated robust expansion with ​a time to peak of 10 days.​ The final drug product contained the desired CD62L-positive naïve T-cell phenotype (median, 95%). Rapid and durable depletion of B cells was demonstrated through month 6 and up to the month 12 assessment.
An update on the progress of the PiNACLE trial is planned for late 2025. Data from this trial is expected to form the basis of a Biologics License Application submission to the FDA in 2027 for patients with R/R LBCL receiving treatment in the 3L+ setting.
More mature data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 trial in the 2L setting are expected to be presented in late 2025.
A Phase 3 randomized controlled trial of LYL314 is expected to be initiated by early 2026 in patients receiving treatment in the 2L setting with R/R LBCL.

Preclinical Pipeline, Technologies and Manufacturing Protocols

Lyell is advancing next-generation fully-armed CAR T-cell product candidates, each including multiple technologies, designed to overcome T-cell exhaustion and lack of durable stemness, as well as immune suppression within the hostile tumor microenvironment.

The first IND for a fully-armed CAR T-cell product candidate with an undisclosed target for solid tumors is expected in 2026.

Corporate Updates

In July, Lyell entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private placement with certain institutional and other accredited investors, for gross proceeds of up to approximately $100 million. The initial closing of approximately $50 million of common stock at a price of $13.32 per share occurred on July 25, 2025.
After deducting offering expenses, Lyell expects to use net proceeds from the private placement, together with its existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, to advance two pivotal-stage clinical trials of LYL314 as well as working capital for other general corporate purposes.

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Lyell reported a net loss of $42.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to a net loss of $45.8 million for the same period in 2024. The $3.1 million decrease in net loss was primarily due to a decrease of $3.3 million in stock-based compensation expense resulting from lower headcount and the reduced value of new equity awards. Non‑GAAP net loss, which excludes stock-based compensation, non-cash expenses related to the change in the estimated fair value of success payment liabilities and certain non-cash investment gains and charges, decreased to $37.8 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $39.1 million for the same period in 2024, primarily due to lower interest income primarily driven by decreased interest rates in 2025 coupled with lower cash equivalent and marketable securities balances.

GAAP and Non-GAAP Operating Expenses

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $34.9 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $40.3 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease in second quarter 2025 R&D expenses of $5.4 million was primarily due to a $2.9 million reduction in research activities, collaborations and outside services due primarily to a reduction in costs associated with research and laboratory supplies and collaboration agreements and a $2.4 million decrease in personnel‑related expenses primarily due to reduced stock-based compensation expense resulting from lower headcount and the reduced value of new equity awards. Non‑GAAP R&D expenses, which exclude non-cash stock-based compensation and non-cash expenses related to the change in the estimated fair value of success payment liabilities for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 were $32.6 million, compared to $37.2 million for the same period in 2024.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $9.8 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $12.3 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease in second quarter 2025 G&A expenses of $2.5 million was primarily due to a $1.7 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense primarily related to a decrease in the value of new awards granted and a $0.8 million decrease in outside services primarily due to a reduction in legal expenses. Non‑GAAP G&A expenses, which exclude non-cash stock‑based compensation, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 were $7.1 million, compared to $7.8 million for the same period in 2024.
A discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, including reconciliations of the most comparable GAAP measures to non‑GAAP financial measures, is presented below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2025 were approximately $297 million, compared to approximately $384 million as of December 31, 2024. Lyell believes that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balances totaling approximately $347 million inclusive of the initial $50 million of proceeds from its recent private placement, will be sufficient to meet working capital and capital expenditure needs into mid-2027.