Verastem Oncology Announces Multiple Oral Presentations at SGO 2024 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer that Highlight Advances in Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Research and Reinforce Commitment to Addressing Urgent Unmet Needs
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Insights
The presentation of the subgroup analysis from the RAMP 201 Part A trial of avutometinib and defactinib for heavily pretreated low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) patients could be a pivotal moment for oncology therapeutics. Particularly, the focus on patients previously treated with a MEK-only inhibitor may suggest improved outcomes or synergistic effects when avutometinib is combined with defactinib. As LGSOC is a rare and often treatment-resistant form of cancer, advancements in therapy could significantly enhance patient prognosis and treatment protocols.
An important consideration is how this combination therapy compares to the current standard of care in terms of efficacy, safety and tolerability. The specific mention of KRAS status in the preclinical efficacy presentation implies that the therapy could be beneficial regardless of genetic mutations, which is often a limiting factor in targeted cancer therapies.
The preclinical data on the RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition underscores the importance of targeting multiple pathways in cancer treatment. The potential efficacy in LGSOC, irrespective of KRAS mutation status, indicates a broad applicability that could lead to a wider patient reach. This could translate to a significant market opportunity for Verastem Oncology.
Moreover, the Phase 3 RAMP 301 trial's progress is crucial for investors as it represents the final stage before potential FDA approval. The trial's design and the outcomes will be instrumental in determining the future revenue potential and market positioning of the combination therapy. The details provided in the trials-in-progress poster will offer insights into the trial's methodology, which is key for assessing the robustness and reliability of the forthcoming data.
From a market perspective, the presentations at the SGO Annual Meeting could influence investor sentiment and stock performance. Positive data from these presentations may lead to increased investor confidence, potentially impacting Verastem Oncology's market capitalization. It's also noteworthy that the company is utilizing the platform to engage with the medical community and stakeholders, which could enhance its reputation and visibility within the oncology sector.
The LGSOC Patient Impact Survey, supported by Verastem Oncology, while not directly related to drug efficacy, can inform market strategy by highlighting patient experiences and needs, which can be leveraged for marketing and patient advocacy efforts. Understanding the patient journey is critical in developing patient-centered treatment options and can be a differentiator in a competitive market.
Late-breaking oral presentation of a subgroup analysis in RAMP 201 Part A heavily pretreated patients receiving avutometinib and defactinib and their best response compared to most recent prior therapy
Plenary oral presentation of preclinical efficacy of the combination of avutometinib and FAK inhibitor in a patient-derived model of low-grade serous ovarian cancer
A trials-in-progress poster presentation outlining the details of the ongoing Phase 3 RAMP 301 trial evaluating avutometinib and defactinib in low-grade serous ovarian cancer
“Important subgroup analyses from Part A of the Phase 2 RAMP 201 clinical trial evaluating avutometinib and defactinib demonstrate how our research in low-grade serous ovarian cancer continues to elucidate the potential use of this combination in a heavily pretreated patient population, including patients who received a prior MEK-only inhibitor,” said Dan Paterson, president and chief executive officer of Verastem Oncology. “In addition, the plenary oral presentation highlighting preclinical efficacy of avutometinib in combination with a FAK inhibitor reinforces the potential of this combination in low-grade serous ovarian cancer regardless of KRAS status. Furthermore, the oral presentation from the LGSOC Patient Impact Survey, that is supported by Verastem Oncology, highlights the negative social and emotional impact patients experience living with this rare ovarian cancer.”
Key Data Presentations:
Late-Breaking Oral Presentation
- Title: Avutometinib plus defactinib in recurrent, low-grade serous ovarian cancer: A subgroup analysis of ENGOT-ov60/GOG-3052/RAMP 201 Part A
- Session: Scientific Plenary IV: Late Breaking Abstract Session 1
- Date/Time: Sunday, March 17, 2024, 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. PDT
- Presenter: Dr. Susanna Banerjee, BBS, MA, PhD, FRCP
Focused Plenary Oral Presentation
- Title: Preclinical efficacy of RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition for low grade serous ovarian cancer
- Session: Focused Plenary V: Rare Cancer: Updates in Uncommon Cancers
- Date/Time: Sunday, March 17, 2024, 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. PDT
- Presenter: Michelle Greenman, MD, MPH
Oral Poster Presentation
- Title: Voices of women with low-grade serous ovarian cancer: Results from a multinational survey
- Session: Poster Session II
- Date/Time: Monday, March 18, 2024, 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. PDT
- Presenter: Charlotte C. Sun, DrPH, MPH
Trials in Progress Poster Presentation
- Title: A phase III, randomized trial evaluating avutometinib plus defactinib compared with investigator's choice of therapy in patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer: GOG-3097/ENGOT-ov81/NCRI/RAMP 301
- Session: Poster Session II
- Date/Time: Monday, March 18, 2024, 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. PDT
- Presenter: Rachel N. Grisham, MD
Drs. Banerjee and Grisham are paid consultants for Verastem Oncology. The multinational survey is supported by Verastem Oncology.
About the Avutometinib and Defactinib Combination
Avutometinib is a RAF/MEK clamp that induces inactive complexes of MEK with ARAF, BRAF and CRAF potentially creating a more complete and durable anti-tumor response through maximal RAS/MAPK pathway inhibition. In contrast to currently available MEK-only inhibitors, avutometinib blocks both MEK kinase activity and the ability of RAF to phosphorylate MEK. This unique mechanism allows avutometinib to block MEK signaling without the compensatory activation of MEK that appears to limit the efficacy of other MEK-only inhibitors. The
Verastem Oncology is currently conducting clinical trials with its RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in RAS pathway-driven tumors as part of its (Raf And Mek Program). RAMP 301 (NCT06072781) is a Phase 3 confirmatory trial evaluating the combination of avutometinib and defactinib versus standard chemotherapy or hormonal therapy for the treatment of recurrent LGSOC. RAMP 201 (NCT04625270) is a Phase 2 registration-directed trial of avutometinib in combination with defactinib in patients with recurrent LGSOC and has completed enrollment in the dose optimization and expansion phases and is enrolling for low-dose evaluation.
Verastem Oncology has established clinical collaborations with Amgen and Mirati to evaluate LUMAKRAS™ (sotorasib) and KRAZATI™ (adagrasib) in combination with avutometinib in KRAS G12C mutant NSCLC as part of the RAMP 203 (NCT05074810) and RAMP 204 (NCT05375994) trials, respectively. Supported by the “Therapeutic Accelerator Award” Verastem Oncology received from PanCAN, Verastem Oncology is conducting RAMP 205 (NCT05669482), a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial evaluating avutometinib and defactinib with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in patients with front-line metastatic pancreatic cancer.
About Verastem Oncology
Verastem Oncology (Nasdaq: VSTM) is a late-stage development biopharmaceutical company committed to the development and commercialization of new medicines to improve the lives of patients diagnosed with cancer. Our pipeline is focused on novel small molecule drugs that inhibit critical signaling pathways in cancer that promote cancer cell survival and tumor growth, including RAF/MEK inhibition and FAK inhibition. For more information, please visit www.verastem.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements Notice
This press release includes forward-looking statements about Verastem Oncology’s strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements related to the potential clinical value of its various clinical trials, the timing of commencing and completing trials, including topline data reports, interactions with regulators, the potential for and timing of commercialization of product candidates and potential for additional development programs involving Verastem Oncology’s lead compound. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," “can,” “promising” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Each forward-looking statement is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statement.
Applicable risks and uncertainties include the risks and uncertainties, among other things, regarding: the success in the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates, including avutometinib in combination with other compounds, including defactinib, LUMAKRAS™ and others; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, such as negative or unexpected results of clinical trials, the occurrence or timing of applications for our product candidates that may be filed with regulatory authorities in any jurisdictions; whether and when regulatory authorities in any jurisdictions may approve any such applications that may be filed for our product candidates, and, if approved, whether our product candidates will be commercially successful in such jurisdictions; our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for our product candidates; the scope, timing, and outcome of any legal proceedings; decisions by regulatory authorities regarding trial design, labeling and other matters that could affect the timing, availability or commercial potential of our product candidates; whether preclinical testing of our product candidates and preliminary or interim data from clinical trials will be predictive of the results or success of ongoing or later clinical trials; that the timing, scope and rate of reimbursement for our product candidates is uncertain; that third-party payors (including government agencies) may not reimburse; that there may be competitive developments affecting our product candidates; that data may not be available when expected; that enrollment of clinical trials may take longer than expected; that our product candidates will cause adverse safety events and/or unexpected concerns may arise from additional data or analysis, or result in unmanageable safety profiles as compared to their levels of efficacy; that our product candidates may experience manufacturing or supply interruptions or failures; that any of our third party contract research organizations, contract manufacturing organizations, clinical sites, or contractors, among others, who we rely on fail to fully perform; that we face substantial competition, which may result in others developing or commercializing products before or more successfully than we do which could result in reduced market share or market potential for our product candidates; that we will be unable to successfully initiate or complete the clinical development and eventual commercialization of our product candidates; that the development and commercialization of our product candidates will take longer or cost more than planned, including as a result of conducting additional studies; that we may not have sufficient cash to fund our contemplated operations; that we may not attract and retain high quality personnel; that we or Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. will fail to fully perform under the avutometinib license agreement; that our target market for our product candidates might be smaller than we are presently estimating; that Secura Bio, Inc. will fail to fully perform under the asset purchase agreement with Secura Bio, Inc., including in relation to milestone payments; that we will not see a return on investment on the payments we have and may continue to make pursuant to the collaboration and option agreement with GenFleet Therapeutics (
Other risks and uncertainties include those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 14, 2023 and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect Verastem Oncology’s views as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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For Investor and Media Inquiries:
Julissa Viana, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
investors@verastem.com or
media@verastem.com
Source: Verastem Oncology
FAQ
What was the focus of the late-breaking oral presentation at the SGO 2024 Annual Meeting?
Who presented the preclinical efficacy of RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition for low-grade serous ovarian cancer?
What was the topic of the oral poster presentation at the SGO 2024 Annual Meeting?
What is the focus of the ongoing Phase 3 RAMP 301 trial presented at the SGO 2024 Annual Meeting?
