On March 28, 2025 Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNSE), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutics for cancer patients, reported financial results for the full year 2024, and provided corporate updates (Press release, Sensei Biotherapeutics, MAR 28, 2025, View Source [SID1234651587]).
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"2024 was a pivotal year for Sensei, as we advanced solnerstotug through dose expansion and began to demonstrate its clinical potential in patients who have progressed on and are resistant to PD-(L)1 therapy" said John Celebi, President and CEO of Sensei Bio. "The responses we’ve observed in PD-(L)1 resistant tumors are highly encouraging and we believe support solnerstotug’s differentiated approach to targeting VISTA. In the context of available data across checkpoint inhibitor regimens, solnerstotug stands out for its encouraging response rates and favorable tolerability profile in PD-(L)1 resistant tumors, a setting with limited treatment options and no approved therapies targeting VISTA. We are now focused on completing dose expansion for patients on study and finalizing a robust Phase 2 strategy."
Highlights and Milestones
Solnerstotug (formerly SNS-101) is a conditionally active antibody designed to selectively target the immune checkpoint VISTA (V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation) within the tumor microenvironment. VISTA is implicated in numerous cancer indications and its expression correlates with low survival rates.
Sensei is conducting a multi-center Phase 1/2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of solnerstotug as both a monotherapy and in combination with Regeneron’s PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo (cemiplimab) in patients with advanced solid tumors. Recent updates include:
Preliminary Activity in PD-(L)1 Resistant "Hot" Tumors
In March 2025, Sensei presented preliminary dose expansion data showing, as of the data cutoff of March 17, 2025:
Among 21 evaluable PD-(L)1 resistant "hot" tumor patients, the combination of solnerstotug + cemiplimab demonstrated a 14% ORR (overall response rate), which is almost 3x higher than historical PD-(L)1 rechallenge response rates (≤5%), and a 62% DCR (disease control rate), suggesting meaningful disease control in resistant tumors.
One durable complete response in a patient with Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC).
Two partial responses (PRs): one in a second MCC patient and one in a microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) Colorectal Cancer (CRC) patient.
All patients with tumor shrinkage remain on treatment, suggesting potential for prolonged clinical benefit.
An additional 11 patients have not yet reached the first baseline scan, and an additional eight patients discontinued the study prior to any post-baseline scan.
All patients in this cohort had progressed on prior PD-(L)1.
Yesterday, Sensei hosted an investor webcast to discuss the dose expansion data, featuring Company leadership and Dr. Shiraj Sen, M.D., Medical Oncologist and Director of Clinical Research at NEXT-Oncology, Dallas, an investigator on the Phase 1/2 study. The replay of the webcast is available here.
Favorable Safety Profile:
Solnerstotug continues to be well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities and the majority of AEs Grade 1 or 2 in severity to date. Out of 60 patients, there have been four (7%) cases of Grade 1 cytokine release syndrome (CRS), all mild and manageable. Two patients in the combination cohort experienced immune-mediated events.
Clinical Progress and Outlook:
Target enrollment (n=60) in the dose expansion cohort has been achieved.
Full expansion data expected by year-end 2025.
Scientific and Clinical Visibility:
Sensei presented new data and mechanistic insights across multiple forums in 2024:
SITC 2024: Spatial proteomic profiling of VISTA and PSGL-1 in diverse tumor types.
Nature Communications: Sensei published a peer-reviewed research paper in Nature Communications in April 2024 describing the mechanism of action of solnerstotug selectively targeting the active form of VISTA within the tumor microenvironment.
PEGS Europe, IO360, Keystone Symposia, and others: Continued showcasing of solnerstotug and the TMAb platform.
Corporate Updates
In Q4, Sensei implemented an organizational restructuring to streamline operations and focus resources on clinically advancing solnerstotug.
Appointed Josiah Craver as Senior Vice President of Finance and later as Principal Financial and Accounting Officer.
Named Ron Weitzman, M.D., F.A.C.P., as part-time Chief Medical Officer.
Year End 2024 Financial Results
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $41.3 million as of December 31, 2024, as compared to $65.8 million as of December 31, 2023. Sensei expects its current cash balance to fund operations into the second quarter of 2026.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $18.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $18.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily attributable to higher expense associated with clinical trials and one-time employee termination benefits primarily offset by lower preclinical research expense and consulting fees.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $13.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $18.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in G&A expense was primarily attributable to lower costs for external professional services, lower personnel costs, and lower insurance costs.
Net Loss: Net loss was $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $34.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.