On November 12, 2026 NuCana plc (NASDAQ: NCNA) ("NuCana" or the "Company") reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026 and provided an update on the development of its two lead anti-cancer product candidates, NUC-7738 and NUC-3373.

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"NuCana’s priorities are to define the next stage of clinical development for NUC-7738 in melanoma following the anticipated December announcement of the Phase 2 NuTide:701 expansion study results and latest translational data," said Hugh S. Griffith, NuCana’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "Recruitment is complete in our Phase 2 expansion cohort of NuTide:701, evaluating NUC-7738 in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in patients with PD-1 inhibitor-resistant metastatic melanoma. We plan to present these results and the latest translational data at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Immuno-Oncology & Advanced Therapies Congress 2026, taking place December 14-16 in London. Following clearance of our Investigational New Drug application ("IND") earlier this year, we are continuing our dialogue with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") regarding a potential registrational strategy for NUC-7738 in melanoma. The grant of a European composition-of-matter patent for NUC-7738 further strengthens our intellectual property position, building on similar patents in the United States and China."

Mr. Griffith continued, "We believe we have established a clear development pathway for NUC-3373 through an extensive AI-enabled analysis of proprietary data from more than 800 cancer cell lines alongside large public datasets. We believe this work has further characterized NUC-3373’s mechanism of action and differentiation from 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), supporting its greater anti-cancer activity in preclinical models compared with 5-FU and enabling us to prioritize tumor types, identify potential biomarkers of sensitivity and select rational combination strategies for further evaluation. The next phase of testing is now under way in cancer cell lines and our in-house patient-derived organoid models, which is intended to validate these findings and help guide the selection of potential future clinical development opportunities. This work gives us a focused basis for advancing NUC-3373 in settings where its differentiated biology may offer the greatest potential to benefit patients."

Mr. Griffith concluded, "With cash resources anticipated to fund our planned operations into 2029, we are focused on delivering the NUC-7738 Phase 2 expansion results, defining its potential registrational strategy and advancing the preclinical validation of NUC-3373. We are excited by the opportunities ahead and look forward to updating shareholders on these priorities."

2026 Anticipated Milestones

NUC-7738

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.

Third Quarter 2026 Financial Highlights and Cash Position

As at September 30, 2026, NuCana had cash and cash equivalents of £18.3 million compared to £19.5 million at June 30, 2026 and £24.3 million at December 31, 2025. NuCana anticipates its cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2026 will be sufficient to fund its planned operations into 2029.

NuCana reported a net loss of £1.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, as compared to a net loss of £0.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share was £0.00 for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, as compared to a loss per ordinary share of £0.00 for the comparable quarter ended September 30, 2025.

NuCana reported a net loss of £8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, as compared to a net loss of £26.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and for the comparable period included the following non-cash or non-recurring items:

Share-based payment expenses of £3.3 million (2025: £9.1 million);
Professional fees of £nil (2025: £1.4 million) relating to the issue of warrants; and
Finance expense of £nil (2025: £12.6 million) relating to the non-cash loss on fair value revaluation of the warrants issued in the May 2025 financing; partly offset by
Total other income of £nil (2025: £2.7 million).

Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share was £0.00 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, as compared to a loss per ordinary share of £0.00 for the comparable nine months ended September 30, 2025.

(Press release, Nucana, NOV 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234674703])