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Verastem CEO claims RAS drug has 'set a new benchmark' for tricky cancer in early readout

Verastem Oncology is advancing its oral KRAS G12D inhibitor, VS-7375, to Phase III trials for pancreatic cancer following positive Phase 1/2 results. In a cohort of 22 patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma receiving 900 mg daily, the drug showed a 41% response rate, including two complete responses. The company reported a 67% six-month progression-free survival and 80% overall survival for that group. To fund its pipeline, Verastem priced a $250 million offering of common stock and pre-funded warrants and appointed a new CEO.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ Verastem is advancing its KRAS G12D inhibitor VS-7375 to Phase III trials.
  • ✓ The company priced a $250 million offering of common stock and pre-funded warrants.
  • ✓ In a 22-patient cohort with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, VS-7375 showed a 41% response rate.
  • ✓ The 22-patient cohort reported an 80% overall survival rate and 67% six-month progression-free survival.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 12 independent reporting domains (95% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Verastem reported early clinical data for VS-7375, secured $250 million in funding, and appointed a new CEO.

Live updates

  1. Verastem Advances KRAS G12D Drug to Phase III After Positive Pancreatic Data

    Verastem Oncology is advancing its oral KRAS G12D inhibitor, VS-7375, to Phase III trials for pancreatic cancer following positive Phase 1/2 results. In a cohort of 22 patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma receiving 900 mg daily, the drug showed a 41% response rate, including two complete responses. The company reported a 67% six-month progression-free survival and 80% overall survival for that group. To fund its pipeline, Verastem priced a $250 million offering of common stock and pre-funded warrants and appointed a new CEO.

    Why it matters

    KRAS G12D mutations are common in difficult-to-treat cancers including pancreatic, colorectal, and non-small cell lung cancers. Verastem is now positioning itself as a direct competitor to RevMed in the pancreatic cancer space. Analysts view the drug as competitive in a crowded oncology research field.

    What is confirmed

    • Verastem is advancing its KRAS G12D inhibitor VS-7375 to Phase III trials.
    • The company priced a $250 million offering of common stock and pre-funded warrants.
    • In a 22-patient cohort with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, VS-7375 showed a 41% response rate.
    • The 22-patient cohort reported an 80% overall survival rate and 67% six-month progression-free survival.
    • VS-7375 showed responses in patients with pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers.
    • Verastem appointed a new CEO.

    Still unconfirmed

    • One of the two complete responses in pancreatic cancer patients remains unconfirmed.
    • CEO Dan Paterson claims the drug is a potential blockbuster.

    What to watch next

    • Launch of the Phase 3 pancreatic cancer trial by the end of 2026
    • Updated registration plans for VS-7375
    Sources used for this update (13)
    1. Fierce Biotech — Verastem CEO claims RAS drug has 'set a new benchmark' for tricky cancer in early readout
    2. Endpoints News — Verastem makes its stand as a RevMed competitor in pancreatic cancer
    3. Business Wire — Verastem Oncology Announces Pricing of $250 Million Offering of Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants
    4. Yahoo Finance — Verastem Has Positive Early Cancer Data And $250M In New Funding: What VSTM Investors Need To Know
    5. Barron's — Verastem Gets a New CEO and $250 Million to Advance Its Cancer Pipeline
    6. Yahoo Finance — Verastem's KRAS G12D Drug Posts Pancreatic Responses, Advances to Phase III
    7. Stock Titan — Two of 22 pancreatic cancer patients had complete responses to an experimental drug; one is unconfirmed.
    8. www.marketbeat.com — Verastem's KRAS G12D Drug Posts Pancreatic Responses ...
    9. www.talk.bio — Verastem’s early KRAS drug results draw bold CEO claim
    10. finance.yahoo.com — Verastem Has Positive Early Cancer Data And $250M In New ...
    11. www.biopharmadive.com — Verastem cancer drug shows early promise in small study
    12. theclinicaltimes.com — Verastem reports early results for pancreatic cancer drug
    confidence 95%
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