On May 14, 2026 NuCana plc (NASDAQ: NCNA) ("NuCana" or the "Company") reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 and provided an update on its clinical development program with its two lead anti-cancer medicines.

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"We are pleased to report continued progress in the first quarter of 2026 as NUC-7738 advances towards important clinical and regulatory milestones," said Hugh S. Griffith, NuCana’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "During the quarter, we continued to advance enrollment for our Phase 2 NuTide:701 expansion study evaluating NUC-7738 in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in patients with PD-1 inhibitor-resistant metastatic melanoma. The clinical activity and favorable safety profile previously reported, including confirmed objective responses and prolonged disease control, continue to support the therapeutic potential of NUC-7738 in this patient population, and we look forward to reporting final data from this study, which is expected later in 2026."

"We are also delighted to announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") cleared our Investigational New Drug application ("IND") for NUC-7738 in April 2026. This important milestone enables clinical investigation of NUC-7738 in the United States and we expect our initial focus will be in patients with melanoma. We look forward to advancing our dialogue with the FDA to determine the optimal pathway toward a potential registrational strategy for NUC-7738 in melanoma."

Mr. Griffith continued, "Beyond our near-term, anticipated milestones in melanoma, we are actively exploring opportunities to broaden the clinical utility of NUC-7738 through additional indications and combination strategies. The mechanism of action of NUC-7738, disrupting RNA polyadenylation and targeting multiple aspects of the tumor microenvironment, positions it as a potentially versatile agent across a range of tumor types, and we are encouraged by the scientific rationale supporting its evaluation in new settings. We believe these efforts have the potential to significantly expand the long-term value of NUC-7738 for patients and for NuCana."

Mr. Griffith concluded, "Our strong balance sheet, with cash resources expected to fund operations into 2029, provides us with the financial flexibility to execute on our strategic priorities and advance our pipeline. We look forward to achieving important anticipated milestones throughout the remainder of 2026."

2026 Anticipated Milestones

NUC-7738
Complete patient recruitment in the Phase 2 expansion study (NuTide:701) evaluating NUC-7738 in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with PD-1 inhibitor-resistant melanoma;
Announce final data from the Phase 2 expansion study (NuTide:701) of NUC-7738 in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with PD-1 inhibitor-resistant melanoma;
Obtain regulatory guidance from the FDA regarding a potential registrational strategy for NUC-7738 in melanoma; and
Advance evaluation of additional indications and combination strategies.
NUC-3373
Complete evaluation of optimal combinations and indications to inform potential future clinical studies of NUC-3373.

First Quarter 2026 Financial Highlights and Cash Position

As at March 31, 2026, NuCana had cash and cash equivalents of £21.5 million compared to £24.3 million at December 31, 2025. NuCana anticipates its cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2026 will be sufficient to fund its planned operations into 2029.

NuCana reported a net loss of £3.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to a net loss of £2.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 included non-cash share-based payment expenses of £1.9 million (2025: £0.3 million).

Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share was £0.00 for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to a loss per ordinary share of £0.02 for the comparable quarter ended March 31, 2025.

(Press release, Nucana, MAY 14, 2026, View Source [SID1234665728])