On March 17, 2026 Bicycle Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ: BCYC), a pharmaceutical company pioneering a new and differentiated class of therapeutics based on its proprietary bicyclic peptide (Bicycle) technology, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, and provided recent corporate updates.
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"We have successfully completed the dose selection portion of the Duravelo-2 trial and received regulatory alignment that the 6mg dose and schedule is optimal for zelenectide in mUC based on strong anti-tumor activity and its differentiated safety profile. We look forward to sharing these data at an upcoming scientific conference. Based on the regulatory feedback we have received, the existing Duravelo-2 trial design is no longer considered acceptable as an approval path for zelenectide in mUC. Preliminary discussions with regulatory agencies have outlined several potential paths for zelenectide’s approval in mUC. While we believe the strength of these data and the clear medical need justify continued development of zelenectide, we have reached the difficult decision to deprioritize this program for internal development at this time. We have initiated a process to convert our ongoing Duravelo-2 trial to a randomized Phase 2 study. Once we have these randomized Phase 2 data in hand, we will determine the most appropriate path for zelenectide," said Bicycle Therapeutics CEO Kevin Lee, Ph.D. "We believe these data provide further validation of the ability of our Bicycle technology to deliver oncology therapeutics with a potentially improved benefit/risk profile compared to existing modalities. In view of this, we have decided to conduct a strategic reprioritization, which includes a proposed workforce reduction, to best position the company to focus our resources on our promising pipeline of next-generation therapeutics."
Fourth Quarter 2025 and Recent Events
Promising Duravelo-2 data and multiple potential regulatory pathways provide a range of options for a Phase 3 trial and potential commercialization of zelenectide in mUC. Initial dose selection data from the Duravelo-2 trial demonstrate response rates comparable to those published for existing standards of care, with physician assessed overall response rate (ORR) of 65%, blinded independent central review (BICR) confirmed ORR of 58% at the 27-week cutoff and a differentiated safety profile. Subsequent to the 27-week cutoff, an additional confirmed BICR response was observed, which would result in an ORR of 62%. The 6mg dose demonstrated a differentiated safety profile with only one patient discontinuing therapy due to a treatment-related adverse event (TRAE) at the 27-week cutoff. Bicycle Therapeutics expects to present initial dose selection data from the Duravelo-2 trial at an upcoming scientific conference. While Bicycle Therapeutics evaluates preliminary regulatory feedback from the European Medicines Agency, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and the potential paths for this program, the company plans to convert the ongoing Duravelo-2 trial to a randomized Phase 2 trial and deprioritize this program for internal development at this time. Once available, data from the randomized Phase 2 trial will be shared with the scientific and medical community.
Strategic reprioritization focuses on promising pipeline of next-generation therapeutics. Bicycle Therapeutics has initiated a strategic reprioritization in order to focus its resources on its promising pipeline of next-generation therapeutics, including BT5528, a potentially first-in-class EphA2 targeting Bicycle Drug Conjugate (BDC), as well as its emerging bicycle conjugate pipeline, including BRCs. As part of the reprioritization, Bicycle Therapeutics will seek to discontinue the Phase 1/2 Duravelo-3 trial for zelenectide in NECTIN4-amplified breast cancer and the Phase 1/2 Duravelo-4 trial for zelenectide in NECTIN4-amplified non-small cell lung cancer. Further enrollment for these trials will be closed, and patients already enrolled will complete their course of treatment. In addition, Bicycle Therapeutics is proposing to implement a workforce reduction pursuant to which it would reduce its workforce by approximately 30%. Anticipated annual operational savings related to the workforce reduction and strategic reprioritization are expected to reduce annual operating expenses by approximately 50% based on the company’s current plans. These actions are expected to extend Bicycle Therapeutics’ cash runway by approximately two years, into 2030.
Established multiple strategic partnerships to create end-to-end supply chain to support wholly owned radiopharmaceutical pipeline. Bicycle Therapeutics entered into a 15-year contract including an option to renew with the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) for access to up to 400 tonnes of reprocessed uranium (RepU). RepU continually regenerates providing a potentially sustainable supply of 212Pb. In addition, Bicycle Therapeutics announced a collaboration with United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL), pursuant to which it plans to extract 228Th from the RepU obtained from NDA. The extracted 228Th will then be further processed into 224Ra and loaded into bespoke 212Pb generators being developed exclusively for Bicycle Therapeutics by SpectronRx. Collectively, this bespoke set of arrangements is designed to support the potential discovery, development, and commercial supply of a portfolio of BRCs containing 212Pb. These arrangements build on a previously announced agreement with Eckert & Ziegler to supply a range of radioisotopes for the manufacture and development of BRCs and Bicycle Imaging Agents (BIA), enabling an isotope agnostic strategy.
Data for an early BIA targeting MT1-MMP presented at European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) 2025 Congress. An e-poster presentation outlined the first clinical experience with an early BIA targeting MT1-MMP. An additional e-poster presented by the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), part of a cooperative network with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), highlighted preclinical BRC data demonstrating the potential of this approach for radiotheranostic use. Altogether, these data build on preclinical and first human imaging data previously disclosed at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2025 and EANM 2024 Congress. Bicycle Therapeutics believes these data further support the potential of MT1-MMP as a novel target in the treatment of cancer, demonstrate the translatability of BRC preclinical data and highlight the potential of Bicycle molecules for targeted radionuclide therapies and radiopharmaceutical imaging.
Bicycle Therapeutics continues to advance its emerging radioligand pipeline, with additional EphA2 human imaging data expected in the first half of 2026 and the initiation of the first company-sponsored radioligand clinical trial, for BT1702, an MT1-MMP targeting BRC, expected in 2027.
BT5528, a potential first-in-class EphA2 targeting BDC molecule. Bicycle Therapeutics announced nuzefatide pevedotin (nuzefatide) as the International Nonproprietary Name for BT5528. Phase 1 nuzefatide combination data with nivolumab in mUC patients will be presented at a scientific conference in the first half of 2026.
In March 2026, Bicycle Therapeutics began enrolling a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nuzefatide in adult patients with recurrent pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Additional information regarding this indication will be presented at a scientific conference in the first half of 2026.
BT7480, a Bicycle tumor-targeted immune cell agonist (Bicycle TICA), is a Nectin-4 targeted CD137 agonist designed to overcome immune agonist toxicities and activate the immune system in Nectin-4 expressing tumors. Phase 1 BT7480 combination data with nivolumab will be presented at a scientific conference in the first half of 2026. After reporting combination data, Bicycle Therapeutics will no longer develop BT7480 internally and intends to seek a potential partner for future development.
Evolving leadership team strengthens transition to next phase of innovation across oncology pipeline. Bicycle Therapeutics has appointed Jennifer Perry, Pharm.D. as chief operating officer (COO), and Alistair Milnes as chief corporate development officer (CCDO). In her role as COO, Jennifer will oversee portfolio and new product strategy, business development, commercial and medical affairs, while in his role as CCDO, Alistair will oversee government affairs, human resources and information technology. Bicycle Therapeutics also recently promoted Travis Thompson as chief financial officer, overseeing the finance, accounting and investor relations functions and Michael Method, M.D., MPH, MBA, to chief medical officer, overseeing all clinical development and the relationship with Bicycle Therapeutics’ Clinical Advisory Board. In addition, Michael Skynner, Ph.D., now serves as chief scientific officer, overseeing scientific discovery, early-stage pipeline development and the relationship with Bicycle Therapeutics’ Research and Innovation Advisory Board.
Fourth Quarter and Year End 2025 Financial Results
Cash and cash equivalents were $628.1 million as of December 31, 2025, compared to $879.5 million as of December 31, 2024. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents is primarily due to cash used in operations, including increased cash payments for clinical program activities.
Collaboration revenue was $48.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and $72.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $3.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and $35.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increases in collaboration revenue of $44.3 million and $37.3 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2025, respectively, were primarily due to the recognition of all remaining revenue under Bicycle Therapeutics’ collaboration with Novartis Pharma AG upon a notice of termination of the collaboration agreement, as well as the recognition of revenue under Bicycle Therapeutics’ collaboration with Bayer Consumer Care AG upon a notice of termination of one of the target programs under the collaboration agreement.
R&D expenses were $51.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025, and $240.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $49.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and $173.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in expense of $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 was primarily due to increased discovery, platform and other expenses and lower U.K. R&D tax credits period over period, offset by decreased clinical program expenses for zelenectide development and Bicycle TICA molecules. The increase in expense of $67.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 was primarily due to increased clinical program expenses for zelenectide development, discovery, platform and other expenses, higher personnel-related costs, including severance-related expenses of the workforce reduction completed in August 2025, and lower U.K. R&D tax credits period over period, offset by decreased clinical program expenses for Bicycle TICA molecules.
General and administrative expenses were $20.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025, and $79.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $21.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and $72.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in expense of $0.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 was primarily due to decreased professional and consulting fees. The increase in expense of $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 was primarily due to increased personnel-related costs including share-based payments, offset by a favorable impact of foreign exchange rates.
Net loss was $20.2 million, or $(0.29) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2025, and net loss was $219.0 million, or $(3.16) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to net loss of $51.9 million, or $(0.75) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and net loss was $169.0 million, or $(2.90) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the year ended December 31, 2024.
(Press release, Bicycle Therapeutics, MAR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234663608])