On May 4, 2026 Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE: NUVB), a global oncology company focused on tackling some of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, and provided a business update.
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"We are pleased with IBTROZI’s ongoing launch trends in the first quarter of 2026, as we continue to deepen its adoption across lines of therapy and make significant progress in becoming the standard of care for people living with advanced ROS1-positive NSCLC. The newly updated long-term follow-up data from our pivotal studies presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) demonstrated an unprecedented durability for IBTROZI of now more than four years in TKI-naïve patients, further supporting healthcare providers and their patients’ confidence in selecting IBTROZI. With our partners, we are well on our way to bringing this important medicine to patients in need around the world," said David Hung, M.D., Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvation Bio. "We are also thrilled to have secured exclusive global development and commercialization rights to safusidenib. We look forward to advancing the pivotal Phase 3 SIGMA study for patients with high-risk IDH1-mutant glioma, where targeted treatment options are incredibly limited. Additionally, we are well on track to provide updates on our drug-drug conjugate platform later this year as we further our mission to tackle some of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment."
First Quarter 2026 and Recent Corporate Highlights:
IBTROZI (taletrectinib), ROS1 inhibitor: Advanced ROS1+ NSCLC
In the first quarter of 2026, Nuvation Bio reported $18.5 million in net product revenues for IBTROZI.
In the first quarter of 2026, more than half of the approximately 200 new patients who started treatment with IBTROZI for advanced ROS1+ NSCLC were TKI-naïve, reflecting a sustained high rate of adoption and confidence in IBTROZI among healthcare professionals and patients. Since launch in late June 2025, over 600 patients have started IBTROZI.
In April 2026, Nuvation Bio presented updated pooled results from the TRUST-I and TRUST-II studies of IBTROZI in both TKI-naïve and TKI-pretreated patients at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026. Notably, in the pooled TKI-naïve population, IBTROZI demonstrated robust confirmed overall response rates (cORR), median duration of response (mDOR) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) in TKI-naïve patients. Updated results from the TRUST-I study were also simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
For TKI-naïve patients (n=157): the analysis showed a cORR of 89.8%, a mDOR of 49.7 months, a mPFS of 46.1 months and an intracranial response rate of 76.5% in patients with brain metastases (n=17). Median overall survival (OS) was not yet reached.
For TKI-pretreated patients (n=113): the analysis showed a cORR of 55.8%, a mDOR of 16.6 months, a mPFS of 9.7 months and an intracranial response rate of 65.6% in patients with brain metastases (n=32). Median OS was 29.8 months. Notably, 98% of TKI-pretreated patients (111/113) enrolled following progressive disease on entrectinib or crizotinib rather than intolerance, a higher bar for efficacy. The remaining two patients were enrolled following intolerance to a prior TKI.
A pooled safety analysis demonstrated a favorable and generally manageable safety profile for IBTROZI, consistent with its prescribing information and no new safety signals were identified with longer follow-up.
In April 2026, Nuvation Bio announced that taletrectinib (IBTROZI) has been added to the latest National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines (NCCN Guidelines) in Oncology for Central Nervous System (CNS) cancers. Specifically, the NCCN Guidelines for CNS Cancers now recommend taletrectinib (IBTROZI) as a systemic therapy option for ROS1+ NSCLC patients with brain metastases.
In March 2026, Nuvation Bio announced with Eisai Co., Ltd. that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) had validated the Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for taletrectinib for the treatment of advanced ROS1+ NSCLC. The filing is being considered for full approval and will follow a standard review timeline.
On January 11, 2026, Nuvation Bio entered an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd. to develop, register and commercialize taletrectinib for the treatment of ROS1+ NSCLC in Europe and certain other territories outside of the U.S., China and Japan.
Safusidenib, mIDH1 inhibitor: IDH1-mutant glioma
In April 2026, Nuvation Bio announced that it has acquired the Japan rights to safusidenib from Daiichi Sankyo, giving Nuvation Bio full global development and commercialization rights. The agreement also transfers ownership of the global clinical development program to Nuvation Bio, inclusive of clinical trials, past and current data generation, and future publications.
Nuvation Bio plans to present longer-term data from the Phase 2 study at a future medical meeting. As of February 2026, 12 of the 27 patients in the study remain on treatment with safusidenib with a median follow-up of over 5 years.
In January 2026, Nuvation Bio announced the finalization of the protocol amendment for the ongoing global Phase 3 SIGMA study for the maintenance treatment of patients with IDH1-mutant astrocytoma who have high-risk features following standard-of-care (G203). At that time, Nuvation Bio also announced that the trial would enroll a non-pivotal single-arm cohort to examine the efficacy and safety of safusidenib in chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-naïve patients with grade 3 IDH1-mutant oligodendroglioma with the primary endpoint of this arm being objective response rate.
Drug-drug conjugate (DDC) platform: Solid tumors
Nuvation Bio continues to explore new preclinical candidates for this novel modality and aims to provide further updates by year-end 2026.
Corporate Update:
In March 2026, Nuvation Bio appointed Stephen Dang, Ph.D., as Chief Legal Officer. Dr. Dang originally joined Nuvation Bio in 2021 and has over 18 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry across all stages of the drug product life cycle.
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
As of March 31, 2026, Nuvation Bio had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $533.7 million.
Product Revenue, Net
To date, Nuvation Bio’s only source of product revenue remains from the U.S. sales of IBTROZI, which Nuvation Bio began distributing to its U.S. customers in June 2025. Net product revenue from U.S. sales of IBTROZI was approximately $18.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026.
Collaboration and License Agreements Revenue
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, collaboration and license agreements revenue was $64.7 million, compared to $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase is primarily due to a $58.7 million increase in license revenue because of the upfront payment received under the Eisai agreement, a $2.4 million increase in product supply, a $1.5 million increase in royalty revenue, and was offset by a $1.0 million decrease in research and development service revenue.
Taletrectinib was included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List effective January 1, 2026. Royalty revenue for the quarter from collaboration agreements for China and Japan was $1.7 million.
Research and Development Expenses
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, research and development expenses were $35.0 million, compared to $24.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was primarily due to a $1.5 million increase in salaries and other benefits driven by the increase in headcount and stock-based compensation, and $8.9 million increase in third-party costs related to clinical trials.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, selling, general, and administrative expenses were $38.3 million, compared to $35.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was due to a $5.7 million increase in salaries and other benefits driven by the increase in headcount and stock-based compensation, and $0.1 million increase in taxes, offset by a $1.7 million decrease in sales and marketing expenses and $1.2 million decrease in professional fees.
Net income
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, Nuvation Bio reported a net income of $5.4 million, or $0.02 per share on a basic basis and $0.01 per share on a diluted basis. The net loss for the comparable period in 2025 was $53.2 million, or $(0.16) per share on a basic and diluted basis.
Conference Call and Webcast
Nuvation Bio will host a conference call and webcast today, May 4, 2026, at 4:30 pm ET to discuss its financial results for the first quarter of 2026 and provide business updates.
Investors and the general public are invited to listen to the live webcast and may register on the Investor Relations section of the Nuvation Bio website. To access the live conference call, participants can dial +1 833-461-5787 (U.S. toll-free) and enter access code 266802059. An archived recording will be available on Nuvation Bio’s website for 90 days following the event.
About ROS1+ NSCLC
Each year, more than one million people globally are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer. It is estimated that approximately 2% of patients with NSCLC have ROS1+ disease. About 35% of patients newly diagnosed with metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC have tumors that have spread to their brain. The brain is also the most common site of disease progression, with about 50% of previously treated patients developing central nervous system (CNS) metastases.
About IBTROZI
IBTROZI is an oral, potent, CNS-active, selective, next-generation ROS1 inhibitor therapy. On June 11, 2025, following Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designations for both TKI-naive and TKI-pretreated disease, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved taletrectinib for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC. Learn more about taletrectinib in the U.S. at IBTROZI.com.
About the TRUST Clinical Program
The TRUST clinical program comprises three registrational studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of IBTROZI. TRUST-I (NCT04395677) and TRUST-II (NCT04919811) are Phase 2 single-arm studies evaluating IBTROZI for the treatment of adults with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC in China (N=173) and globally (N=189), respectively. The primary endpoint of both studies is confirmed objective response rate (cORR) as assessed by an independent review committee. TRUST-IV (NCT07154706) is a Phase 3 placebo-controlled study evaluating IBTROZI for the adjuvant treatment of adults with resected early-stage ROS1+ NSCLC. The study will enroll approximately 180 patients in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and China. The primary endpoint is disease-free survival as determined by investigator, and the primary completion date is estimated to be in 2030. Nuvation Bio is also sponsoring TRUST-III (NCT06564324), a confirmatory randomized Phase 3 study evaluating IBTROZI versus crizotinib in 194 patients in China with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC who have not previously received ROS1 TKIs.
Indication
IBTROZI is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR IBTROZI (taletrectinib)
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hepatotoxicity: Hepatotoxicity, including drug-induced liver injury and fatal adverse reactions, can occur. 88% of patients experienced increased AST, including 10% Grade 3/4. 85% of patients experienced increased ALT, including 13% Grade 3/4. Fatal liver events occurred in 0.6% of patients. Median time to first onset of AST or ALT elevation was 15 days (range: 3 days to 20.8 months).
Increased AST or ALT each led to dose interruption in 7% of patients and dose reduction in 5% and 9% of patients, respectively. Permanent discontinuation was caused by increased AST, ALT, or bilirubin each in 0.3% and by hepatotoxicity in 0.6% of patients.
Concurrent elevations in AST or ALT ≥3 times the ULN and total bilirubin ≥2 times the ULN, with normal alkaline phosphatase, occurred in 0.6% of patients.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Severe, life-threatening, or fatal ILD or pneumonitis can occur. ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 2.3% of patients, including 1.1% Grade 3/4. One fatal ILD case occurred at the 400 mg daily dose. Median time to first onset of ILD/pneumonitis was 3.8 months (range: 12 days to 11.8 months).
ILD/pneumonitis led to dose interruption in 1.1% of patients, dose reduction in 0.6% of patients, and permanent discontinuation in 0.6% of patients.
QTc Interval Prolongation: QTc interval prolongation can occur, which can increase the risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes) or sudden death. IBTROZI prolongs the QTc interval in a concentration-dependent manner.
In patients who received IBTROZI and underwent at least one post baseline ECG, QTcF increase of >60 msec compared to baseline and QTcF >500 msec occurred in 13% and 2.6% of patients, respectively. 3.4% of patients experienced Grade ≥3. Median time from first dose of IBTROZI to onset of ECG QT prolongation was 22 days (range: 1 day to 38.7 months). Dose interruption and dose reduction each occurred in 2.8% of patients.
Significant QTc interval prolongation may occur when IBTROZI is taken with food, strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors, and/or drugs with a known potential to prolong QTc. Administer IBTROZI on an empty stomach. Avoid concomitant use with strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors and/or drugs with a known potential to prolong QTc.
Hyperuricemia: Hyperuricemia can occur and was reported in 14% of patients, with 16% of these requiring urate-lowering medication without pre-existing gout or hyperuricemia. 0.3% of patients experienced Grade ≥3. Median time to first onset was 2.1 months (range: 7 days to 35.8 months). Dose interruption occurred in 0.3% of patients.
Myalgia with Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation: Myalgia with or without CPK elevation can occur. Myalgia occurred in 10% of patients. Median time to first onset was 11 days (range: 2 days to 10 months).
Concurrent myalgia with increased CPK within a 7-day time period occurred in 0.9% of patients. Dose interruption occurred in 0.3% of patients with myalgia and concurrent CPK elevation.
Skeletal Fractures: IBTROZI can increase the risk of fractures. ROS1 inhibitors as a class have been associated with skeletal fractures. 3.4% of patients experienced fractures, including 1.4% Grade 3. Some fractures occurred in the setting of a fall or other predisposing factors. Median time to first onset of fracture was 10.7 months (range: 26 days to 29.1 months). Dose interruption occurred in 0.3% of patients.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on literature, animal studies, and its mechanism of action, IBTROZI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Among patients who received IBTROZI, the most frequently reported adverse reactions (≥20%) were diarrhea (64%), nausea (47%), vomiting (43%), dizziness (22%), rash (22%), constipation (21%), and fatigue (20%).
The most frequently reported Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities (≥5%) were increased ALT (13%), increased AST (10%), decreased neutrophils (5%), and increased creatine phosphokinase (5%).
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors/CYP3A Inducers and Drugs that Prolong the QTc Interval: Avoid concomitant use.
Gastric Acid Reducing Agents: Avoid concomitant use with PPIs and H2 receptor antagonists. If an acid-reducing agent cannot be avoided, administer locally acting antacids at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking IBTROZI.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Pregnancy: Please see important information in Warnings and Precautions under Embryo-Fetal Toxicity.
Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose.
Effect on Fertility: Based on findings in animals, IBTROZI may impair fertility in males and females. The effects on animal fertility were reversible.
Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of IBTROZI in pediatric patients has not been established.
Photosensitivity: IBTROZI can cause photosensitivity. Advise patients to minimize sun exposure and to use sun protection, including broad-spectrum sunscreen, during treatment and for at least 5 days after discontinuation.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information.
About IDH1-Mutant Glioma
Gliomas are the most common type of brain cancer in adults worldwide. In the U.S., nearly 2,500 people are diagnosed with IDH1-mutant gliomas each year, of which more than 95% harbor a mutation in the IDH1 gene. Most patients are diagnosed in their 30s and 40s. While patients with IDH1 mutations generally have longer survival times than those with wild-type IDH1, gliomas are not currently curable and prognosis worsens for those with high-risk features, including high grade tumors.
About Safusidenib
Safusidenib is an investigational, oral, brain-penetrant, selective inhibitor of mutant IDH1. It is being studied in patient populations with significant unmet medical need, including settings where there are limited or no approved targeted treatment options. In Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical studies, safusidenib demonstrated encouraging clinical activity, including delayed disease progression and durable responses across a range of tumor grades and risk groups, with a favorable risk-benefit profile that supports the currently enrolling Phase 3 SIGMA study.
About the SIGMA (G203) Study
SIGMA is a pivotal Phase 3 study that will evaluate safusidenib compared to placebo as a maintenance therapy after standard-of-care in IDH1-mutant astrocytoma with high-risk features. The pivotal portion of the study will enroll approximately 300 patients. Data is anticipated to be available in 2029.
A separate, exploratory, non-pivotal cohort will evaluate safusidenib in participants with grade 3 IDH1-mutant oligodendroglioma who have not yet received chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The primary endpoint is objective response rate. This cohort is expected to enroll approximately 40 patients. Data is anticipated to be available in 2027.
(Press release, Nuvation Bio, MAY 4, 2026, View Source [SID1234665060])