On June 12, 2026 Disc Medicine, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRON), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel treatments for patients suffering from serious hematologic diseases, reported updated data from multiple clinical programs to be presented at the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden. Data from the RALLY-MF trial of DISC-0974 in patients with MF and anemia, to be presented in an oral session today, demonstrate meaningful, durable overall anemia responses across all patient subgroups, regardless of baseline transfusion status or concomitant JAK inhibitor use. Updated data from the HELIOS open-label extension trial of bitopertin in EPP, to be presented in a poster session tomorrow, June 13, show sustained reductions in PPIX, significant improvement in light tolerance measures, and favorable longer-term safety in patients treated with bitopertin.

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"The updates at this year’s EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) highlight continued progress across our portfolio heading into a catalyst-rich second half of the year," said John Quisel, J.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Disc Medicine. "For DISC-0974 in MF anemia, our Phase 2 dataset continues to strengthen as we prepare for End of Phase 2 discussions with FDA by the end of this year. For bitopertin, continued durability of PPIX reduction and light tolerance improvement in HELIOS is encouraging leading up to the APOLLO Phase 3 readout in Q4, which, as confirmed in a recent Type A meeting with FDA, can serve as the basis for a response to the CRL and could potentially support a traditional approval if successful. We also look forward to sharing initial data from the RESTORE-PV Phase 2 trial of DISC-3405 in polycythemia vera in Q4 this year, setting up the potential for a third program in pivotal-stage development in 2027."

Management will host a call following the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) meeting to review highlights of the presented data and next steps for the company on Monday, June 15 at 8:00am EDT. Please register for the event on the Events and Presentations page of Disc’s website (View Source).

Bitopertin, DISC-0974, and DISC-3405 are investigational agents and are not approved for use as therapies in any jurisdiction worldwide.

Details of Presentations and Abstracts:

DISC-0974: RALLY-MF Oral Presentation

RALLY-MF, an ongoing Phase 2 open-label study, had enrolled 61 adult patients with MF and anemia as of the data cutoff date of April 27, including 50 patients with sufficient follow up to be included in the responder analysis (non-transfusion dependent receiving no transfusions (nTD, n=31), transfusion dependent with low transfusion burden (TD Low, n=11) and transfusion dependent with high transfusion burden (TD High, n=8)). The trial was comprised of both patients receiving concomitant JAK inhibitor therapy (n=25) and not receiving JAK inhibitor therapy (n=25). DISC-0974 was administered subcutaneously at 50 mg every 4 weeks for up to 6 treatments. The updated results demonstrated:

Consistent, substantial decreases in hepcidin reaching >75% reduction from baseline and corresponding increases in serum iron
55% (N=17 of 31) of baseline nTD patients achieved a hemoglobin increase of ≥1.5 g/dL for ≥12 weeks (major response) and 68% had an increase of ≥1 g/dL for ≥12 weeks (overall response)
64% (N=7 of 11) of TD Low patients achieved transfusion independence (TI, major response) over a 16-week period and 73% achieved a ≥50% reduction in transfusions (overall response)
50% (N=4 of 8) of TD High patients achieved transfusion independence (TI, major response) over a 12-week period and 88% achieved a ≥50% reduction in transfusion requirement (overall response)
56% of patients receiving concomitant JAK inhibitor therapy achieved a major hematologic response across transfusion groups and 72% achieved an overall response, with similar response rates regardless of which specific JAK inhibitor the patient received
Dosing with DISC-0974 was associated with improvements in patient-reported outcomes:
Clinically significant improvements in FACIT-Fatigue scores in nTD and TD Low participants that were correlated with hemoglobin change
MPN-SAF TSS50 at EOS was achieved by 50% of nTD and TD low major responders
DISC-0974 was generally well-tolerated. Diarrhea, not considered serious, was the only adverse event (AE) that was reported as related to DISC-0974 and reported in two or more subjects. The majority of AEs were not considered related to DISC-0974.

Bitopertin: HELIOS update poster

HELIOS is an ongoing Phase 2, open-label, long-term extension trial that enrolled 86 adult and adolescent patients with EPP from the BEACON and AURORA trials. Patients were randomized to receive 20 mg or 60 mg bitopertin in BEACON and 20 mg or 60 mg bitopertin or placebo in AURORA, with all patients transitioning to a 60 mg daily dose of bitopertin in HELIOS.

Longer term treatment with bitopertin was associated with sustained reductions in the disease-causing toxin PPIX, with additional benefit for patients receiving the 60 mg dose continuously
Treatment with bitopertin was associated with sustained, significant improvement in average light tolerance and time to prodrome measures
Bitopertin exhibited a favorable longer-term safety profile with up to 2.5+ years of exposure and similar safety across adults and adolescents with EPP and XLP
DISC-3405: RESTORE-PV Trial-in-Progress poster

RESTORE-PV is a Phase 2 open-label study of the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of DISC-3405 in patients with polycythemia vera. Initial data from the trial is expected in Q4 2026.

(Press release, Disc Medicine, JUN 12, 2026, View Sourcenews-releases/news-release-details/disc-medicine-presents-positive-clinical-updates-2026-european [SID1234668733])

On June 12, 2026 AstraZeneca reported that Truqap (capivasertib) in combination with abiraterone and prednisone has been approved in the US as the first and only targeted treatment for adult patients with PTEN-deficient metastatic androgen pathway modulation-naïve or sensitive (mAPMN/S) prostate cancer, previously referred to as metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), as detected by a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorised test.1

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The approval by the US FDA was based on positive results from the CAPItello-281 Phase III trial, presented at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress and published in Annals of Oncology.2

Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in men and the fifth leading cause of male cancer death globally, with more than 1.4 million people diagnosed each year.3 Of these, approximately 200,000 patients worldwide, including 35,000 in the US, are diagnosed with mAPMN/S prostate cancer annually.4 One in four of these patients have PTEN-deficient tumours, which fuels the growth of cancer cells and defines an aggressive form of the disease associated with poor outcomes.4-7 PTEN deficiency is an independent risk factor regardless of other clinical characteristics, and can be identified by immunohistochemistry testing at time of diagnosis.7

Daniel George, MD, Director of Genitourinary Oncology at Duke Cancer Institute and investigator for the CAPItello-281 trial, said: "Patients with PTEN-deficient metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, now called metastatic androgen pathway modulation-naïve or sensitive prostate cancer, experience faster progression and worse prognosis than those without PTEN deficiency. Keeping patients with this form of prostate cancer in remission and free from disease progression as long as possible is a high priority. Today’s landmark approval of the capivasertib combination as the first and only targeted treatment option for these patients represents a significant clinical advance with the potential to improve their lives and change the course of disease."

Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Haematology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: "CAPItello-281 showed that for the first time, we can target a key driver of this disease to bring meaningful benefit to the one in four patients with this form of prostate cancer who urgently need biomarker-directed therapies. Today’s approval makes clear the importance of testing for actionable biomarkers, including PTEN deficiency, in prostate cancer."

Results from the primary analysis of the CAPItello-281 Phase III trial showed a statistically significant 19% reduction in the risk of radiographic disease progression or death and a clinically meaningful improvement in median radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) of 7.5 months with Truqap in combination with abiraterone and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus treatment with abiraterone and ADT with placebo (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–0.98; p=0.034). Median rPFS was 33.2 months for the Truqap combination versus 25.7 months for the comparator arm.2 While overall survival (OS) data were immature at the time of the primary analysis, results for OS numerically favoured the Truqap combination versus the comparator arm. The trial will continue as planned to further assess OS as a key secondary endpoint.

The safety profile of Truqap in combination with abiraterone and ADT in CAPItello-281 was broadly consistent with the known profile of each medicine. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 67% of patients treated with the Truqap combination, with rash (12.3%) and hyperglycaemia (10.3%) the most frequently reported.2

Concurrently with this approval, the FDA also approved a companion diagnostic test to detect PTEN deficiency in tumours of patients with prostate adenocarcinoma.

A regulatory application for the Truqap combination in this setting is under review in the EU based on the CAPItello-281 Phase III trial.

Notes

Prostate cancer
In the US, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with more than 300,000 new cases of the disease diagnosed annually, and more than 36,000 deaths.8

Metastatic prostate cancer is associated with a significant mortality rate, with only one third of patients surviving five years after diagnosis.9 Development of prostate cancer is often driven by male sex hormones called androgens, including testosterone.10

Metastatic androgen pathway modulation-naïve or sensitive prostate cancer
mAPMN/S prostate cancer, previously referred to as mHSPC or metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) reflects new, redefined terminology for clinical trials and regulatory indications in prostate cancer.1 In patients with mAPMN/S prostate cancer, prostate cancer cells need high levels of androgens to drive cancer growth.5,10 Hormone therapies, such as androgen deprivation therapies, are widely used to block the action of male sex hormones and lower the levels of androgens in the body.5,10 However, resistance to these therapies is common and there is a need to extend their use to delay disease progression and castration resistance, where the prostate cancer grows and spreads to other parts of the body despite the use of these therapies.5,6,11

mAPMN/S prostate cancer is an aggressive form of the disease associated with poor outcomes and survival.5,6 Globally, approximately 200,000 patients are diagnosed with mAPMN/S prostate cancer each year, with 35,000 patients diagnosed with the disease in the US.4 One in four of these patients have PTEN-deficient tumours.4

PTEN-loss or deficiency fuels the growth of cancer cells, leading to dysregulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, and is associated with poor outcomes in patients with prostate cancer.12,13

CAPItello-281
CAPItello-281 is a Phase III, double-blind, randomised trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Truqap in combination with abiraterone and ADT versus abiraterone and ADT in combination with placebo in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed PTEN-deficient mAPMN/S prostate cancer.

The global trial enrolled 1,012 adult patients with histologically confirmed newly diagnosed APMN/S prostate adenocarcinoma and PTEN deficiency as confirmed by central testing. The primary endpoint of the CAPItello-281 trial is rPFS as assessed by investigator, with OS as a key secondary endpoint.

Truqap
Truqap is a first-in-class, potent, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-competitive inhibitor of all three AKT isoforms (AKT1/2/3). Truqap 400mg is administered twice daily according to an intermittent dosing schedule of four days on and three days off. This was chosen in early phase trials based on tolerability and the degree of target inhibition.

Truqap in combination with Faslodex (fulvestrant) is approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and a number of other countries for the treatment of adult patients with HR-positive (or estrogen receptor-positive), HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer with one or more biomarker alterations (PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN) following recurrence or progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen based on the results from the CAPItello-291 trial. Truqap is also approved in Australia for the treatment of adult patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer following recurrence or progression on or after an endocrine based regimen based on these trial results.

Truqap is currently being evaluated in combination with established treatments for the 1st-line treatment of HR-positive breast cancer in the Phase III CAPItello-292 trial.

Truqap was discovered by AstraZeneca subsequent to a collaboration with Astex Therapeutics (and its collaboration with the Institute of Cancer Research and Cancer Research Technology Limited).

(Press release, AstraZeneca, JUN 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234666605])

On June 12, 2026 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) and KEYTRUDA QLEXTM (pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapies, each in combination with WELIREG (belzutifan), Merck’s first-in-class, oral hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with renal cell carcinoma with a clear cell component (ccRCC) at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions. These approvals represent the first approval for WELIREG in earlier-stage ccRCC and the first approvals for PD-1 and HIF-2α inhibitor combination regimens.

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The approvals are based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 LITESPARK-022 trial. LITESPARK-022 enrolled 1,841 patients and demonstrated that KEYTRUDA in combination with WELIREG significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS), the trial’s primary endpoint, reducing the risk of disease recurrence, metastasis or death by 28% (HR=0.72 [95% CI 0.59-0.87]; p=0.0003) for patients with ccRCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions compared to KEYTRUDA plus placebo. The estimated 24-month DFS rate was 81% (95% CI 0.78-0.83) with KEYTRUDA plus WELIREG compared to 74% (95% CI 0.71-0.77) with KEYTRUDA plus placebo. Median DFS was not reached in either arm. Overall survival (OS) results were not yet mature at this interim analysis. The effectiveness of KEYTRUDA QLEX for its approved indications has been established based upon evidence from the adequate and well-controlled studies conducted with KEYTRUDA and additional data from MK-3475A-D77 comparing the pharmacokinetic, efficacy, and safety profiles of KEYTRUDA QLEX and KEYTRUDA.

The WELIREG prescribing information contains a boxed warning that exposure to WELIREG during pregnancy can cause embryo-fetal harm. Verify pregnancy status prior to the initiation of WELIREG. Advise patients of these risks and the need for effective non-hormonal contraception. WELIREG can render some hormonal contraceptives ineffective. WELIREG can cause severe anemia that can require blood transfusion. Monitor for anemia before initiation of, and periodically throughout, treatment with WELIREG. WELIREG can cause severe hypoxia that may require discontinuation, supplemental oxygen or hospitalization. Monitor oxygen saturation before initiation of, and periodically throughout, treatment with WELIREG. For more information, see "Selected Safety Information" below.

KEYTRUDA QLEX is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to berahyaluronidase alfa, hyaluronidase or to any of its excipients. KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX are associated with the following Warnings and Precautions: severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions in any or multiple organs, which can occur during or after treatment, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection, other transplant (including corneal graft) rejection; severe and life-threatening infusion or injection-related reactions; fatal and other serious complications in patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation before or after beginning treatment; embryo-fetal toxicity; and increased mortality in patients with multiple myeloma when KEYTRUDA or KEYTRUDA QLEX is added to a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone, which is not recommended outside of controlled trials. Immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all such possible severe or fatal reactions. For more information, see "Selected Safety Information" below.

"Patients with earlier-stage renal cell carcinoma at high risk of recurrence after surgery may see their cancer return, frequently as metastatic disease," said Dr. Toni K. Choueiri, director, Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Jerome and Nancy Kohlberg professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School. "The results of the LITESPARK-022 trial demonstrated the ability of pembrolizumab in combination with belzutifan to reduce the risk of disease recurrence, metastasis, or death by 28%, which represents an important new option for these patients to help keep their clear cell renal cell carcinoma from coming back."

"Reflecting on my own experience as a clinical oncologist, I know the significant impact that improved disease-free survival can have on the lives of patients," said Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. "These approvals demonstrate Merck’s commitment to pursuing innovative treatment options that may help these patients experience longer periods without disease."

"The FDA approval of the novel KEYTRUDA and WELIREG combination is exciting news for the kidney cancer community," said Bryan Lewis, CEO and co-founder, KidneyCan. "This progress reflects an important step in addressing the needs of patients with earlier-stage renal cell carcinoma."

Study design and additional data from LITESPARK-022

LITESPARK-022 is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05239728) evaluating WELIREG in combination with KEYTRUDA compared to placebo plus KEYTRUDA for the adjuvant treatment of ccRCC post nephrectomy. Eligible patients had intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence of RCC, or M1 no evidence of disease (NED). Patients must have undergone a partial or radical nephrectomy, and if indicated, metastasectomy within two years of nephrectomy, within ≥4 weeks prior to the time of screening. Patients were excluded from the trial if they had received prior systemic therapy for advanced RCC. The trial enrolled 1,841 patients who were randomized (1:1) to receive either:

WELIREG (120 mg orally once daily) plus KEYTRUDA (400 mg intravenously [IV] every six weeks) for up to 9 cycles (54 weeks) until disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity (n=921), or;
KEYTRUDA (400 mg IV every six weeks) plus oral placebo for up to 9 cycles (54 weeks) until disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity (n=920).
The major efficacy outcome measure was investigator-assessed DFS and an additional outcome measure was OS.

The safety of WELIREG in combination with KEYTRUDA was evaluated in LITESPARK-022. A total of 915 patients received WELIREG in combination with KEYTRUDA and a total of 913 patients received oral placebo in combination with KEYTRUDA. The median duration of exposure to WELIREG was 12.4 months (range 1 day to 20.1 months). The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA in the treatment arm was 11.1 months (range: 1 day to 16.1 months).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients who received WELIREG in combination with KEYTRUDA. The most frequently reported serious adverse reactions (≥1%) were pneumonia (2%), hypoxia (1.9%), pneumonitis (1.6%), arrhythmia (1.5%), diarrhea (1.1%), and acute kidney injury (1.1%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1.1% of patients who received WELIREG in combination with KEYTRUDA, including sepsis (0.1%).

WELIREG was permanently discontinued due to adverse reactions in 27% of patients. Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of WELIREG in ≥1% of patients included anemia (4%), fatigue (2.2%), rash (2%), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (1.7%), hypoxia (1.6%), diarrhea (1.4%), pneumonitis (1.3%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (1.1%), and hepatic function abnormal (1%).

KEYTRUDA was permanently discontinued due to adverse reactions in 23% of patients. Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in ≥1% of patients included increased ALT (4.5%), increased AST (3%), pneumonitis (2.4%), diarrhea (2.4%), and rash (1.5%).

Dosage interruptions of WELIREG due to an adverse reaction occurred in 52% of patients. Of the patients who received WELIREG in combination with KEYTRUDA, 30% were ≥65 years old and 5% were ≥75 years old. Dose interruptions of WELIREG occurred in 57% of patients ≥65 years of age and in 49% of younger patients. Adverse reactions which required dosage interruption of WELIREG in ≥2% of patients included anemia (25%), fatigue (3.7%), increased ALT (3.5%), diarrhea (3.4%), increased AST (3.4%), COVID-19 (2.6%), hypoxia (2.5%), pyrexia (2.5%), musculoskeletal pain (2.1%), and rash (2.1%).

Dose interruptions of KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 29% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dosage interruption of KEYTRUDA in ≥2% of patients included anemia (3.2%), diarrhea (3%), increased ALT (3%), and increased AST (2.5%).

Dose reductions of WELIREG due to an adverse reaction occurred in 34% of patients. Dose reductions of WELIREG occurred in 39% of patients ≥65 years of age and in 32% of younger patients. Adverse reactions which required dose reduction in ≥3% of patients included anemia (17%), hypoxia (3.5%), increased ALT (3.2%), and fatigue (3.1%).

The most common (≥25%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, in patients who received WELIREG in combination with KEYTRUDA were decreased hemoglobin (95%), increased ALT (57%), fatigue (49%), increased AST (46%), decreased lymphocytes (38%), and increased alkaline phosphatase (29%).

About renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer, with about nine out of 10 kidney cancer diagnoses being RCC. In 2022, there were about 435,000 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed and approximately 156,000 deaths from the disease worldwide. In the U.S., it is estimated there will be more than 80,000 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed and more than 15,000 deaths from the disease in 2026. Renal cell carcinoma is about twice as common in men as in women. Cases of RCC might be discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other reasons. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma, which accounts for 70% of RCC diagnoses, is the most common subtype.

(Press release, Merck & Co, JUN 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234666606])

On June 12, 2026 Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT), a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, reported detailed and updated clinical results from the registration-directed APEX clinical trial of bezuclastinib in patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis (AdvSM) demonstrating clinically meaningful results as measured by consensus criteria used to assess patient response. The company also shared a more detailed review of the pathobiology data in AdvSM patients from the APEX trial, reinforcing the rapid and deep clinical benefit bezuclastinib has demonstrated in these patients. The data will be presented at the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Congress taking place in Stockholm, Sweden, June 11-14, 2026.

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"We are excited to share updated and detailed results from the APEX trial in AdvSM patients, building upon previously announced results from bezuclastinib in the SUMMIT trial in NonAdvSM patients," said Andrew Robbins, Cogent’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "The results shown across these two trials demonstrate that a selective, potent KIT D816V inhibitor like bezuclastinib will have tremendous opportunity to become the new standard of care and change the lives of patients living with systemic mastocytosis. We are on track to complete the APEX NDA submission in the very near future and plan to launch bezuclastinib later this year in both systemic mastocytosis and GIST following FDA approval."

As of the updated data cutoff of March 31, 2026 in Part 2 of the APEX trial, 81 AdvSM patients were treated with 150 mg of bezuclastinib, including 57 patients with SM-AHN, 11 patients with ASM and 13 patients with MCL. The primary endpoint of response per mIWG-MRT-ECNM was assessed on 68 evaluable patients and showed 65% ORR (CR+CRh+PR+CI), including 57% of patients who achieved CR, CRh or PR as best response.

Additional highlights include:

Key secondary endpoint of response per pure pathological response (PPR) criteria was assessed on 81 patients which showed an 81% ORR (CR+CRh+PR).
Bezuclastinib demonstrated reversal of bone marrow pathobiology including rapid and deep reductions in aberrant CD25 and CD30 expression, normalization of mast cell morphology, normalization of bone marrow cellularity, and improvement in myelofibrosis.
Bezuclastinib demonstrated durable clinical activity and prolonged PFS with a 12-month PFS rate of 79% and a 12-month OS rate of 87%. Median duration of PFS and OS were immature at the time of the data cutoff.
Bezuclastinib achieved clear and clinically significant reductions in objective disease markers for these AdvSM patients:
Outcome measure Bezuclastinib
Proportion with ≥50% reduction in serum tryptase (n=80) 89 %
Proportion with ≥50% reduction in bone marrow mast cells or clearance of aggregates (n=80) 89 %
Proportion with ≥50% reduction in KIT D816V variant allele frequency (n=43) 91 %

"The results from the APEX trial demonstrate clear evidence of bezuclastinib’s rapid and deep clinical activity in patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis," said Daniel J. DeAngelo, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Division of Leukemia at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. "Coupled with an impressive safety and tolerability profile minimizing off-target toxicities that allows for long-term therapeutic dosing, bezuclastinib will become an important treatment option for patients with advanced SM."

Pathobiology Data

Cogent will also present new data highlighting the impact bezuclastinib has at a cellular level in patients with AdvSM. In the APEX study, bezuclastinib demonstrated robust improvement in disease pathology, with effects observed as early as eight weeks, including high PPR rates, improvement (including normalization) in bone marrow mast cell distribution, improvement in broader bone marrow characteristics and a majority of patients achieving normalization of serum tryptase. In addition, approximately one-third of patients treated with bezuclastinib achieved undetectable levels of KIT D816V VAF, signifying modification of the underlying AdvSM disease with bezuclastinib treatment.

APEX Safety and Tolerability

As of the data cutoff, bezuclastinib continued to be well-tolerated, with infrequent need for dose reduction or discontinuation for treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The most frequent TRAEs reported on bezuclastinib treatment were hair color change (31%), neutropenia (31%), altered taste (28%), thrombocytopenia (25%), and ALT/AST elevations (21%). The majority of transaminase elevations were of low grade, asymptomatic and reversible. Of the two patients who experienced Grade 3 transaminase elevation, one discontinued treatment and one remains on therapy following dose reduction.

The EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) posters and presentation will be available on the Cogent website at: View Source

Bezuclastinib – Expanded Access Program

Working with the FDA, Cogent has established active Expanded Access Programs (EAPs) for U.S. patients SM or GIST who meet disease-specific criteria and could benefit from treatment with bezuclastinib or the combination of bezuclastinib and sunitinib. For more information please visit: View Source

(Press release, Cogent Biosciences, JUN 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234666607])

On June 12, 2026 Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT), a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, reported preclinical data from its novel, potential best-in-class JAK2 V617F mutant-selective inhibitor in a poster presentation at the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Congress taking place in Stockholm, Sweden, June 11-14, 2026.

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"We’re encouraged by the preclinical data from our next-generation JAK2 program being presented at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) today," said Andrew Robbins, Cogent’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "This highly selective, potent inhibitor of JAK2 V617F has the potential to address the underlying mutational driver of disease while mitigating off-target hematological effects. We are rapidly advancing this program and remain on track to submit our Investigational New Drug application in 2026."

JAK2 V617F is the most prevalent molecular abnormality in BCR-ABL-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), occurring in approximately 95% of patients with polycythemia vera and 50% of patients with primary myelofibrosis or essential thrombocythemia. The poster highlights CGT1145, a potent inhibitor of the JAK2 V617F mutation with >100x selectivity over JAK2 WT and the JAK1/3 isoforms, along with high oral bioavailability and low clearance across species. CGT1145 has the potential to eradicate JAK2 V617F myeloproliferative neoplasm propagating cells and induce molecular remission with improved hematologic tolerability.

Cogent’s EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) posters and presentation will be available on the company’s website at: View Source

(Press release, Cogent Biosciences, JUN 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234666608])