Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - ZNTL STOCK NEWS

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ZNTL) will present preclinical data on its selective WEE1 inhibitor azenosertib at the ESMO 2024 Congress in Barcelona. The data shows synergistic anti-tumor effects when azenosertib is combined with topoisomerase I (TOP1) inhibitor-based antibody drug conjugates (ADCs).

Key findings include:

• Significant synergistic effects in all cell lines tested
• 50% complete tumor regression in HER2+ breast cancer models when combined with trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-Dxd)
• Notable combination effects in HER2+ ovarian and HER2-low breast cancer models

These results suggest azenosertib could improve responses to ADCs in advanced solid tumors by enhancing DNA damage and cell cycle deregulation.

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ZNTL) has announced inducement grants under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). On September 3, 2024, the company's Compensation Committee granted non-qualified stock options to two newly hired employees to purchase a total of 16,000 shares of common stock. These options were granted under the 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan as an inducement for employment.

The stock options have an exercise price of $3.23 per share, equal to the closing price of Zentalis' common stock on the grant date. They have a 10-year term and will vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary and the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments over the following three years. Vesting is subject to continued employment with Zentalis.

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ZNTL) reported Q2 2024 financial results and operational progress. Key highlights include:

- Cash position of $426.4 million as of June 30, 2024, with projected runway into mid-2026
- R&D expenses increased to $48.4 million, up from $42.7 million in Q2 2023
- General and administrative expenses rose to $16.8 million, compared to $15.7 million in Q2 2023
- Partial clinical hold placed on certain azenosertib studies following two deaths in the DENALI study
- Discontinuation of ZN-d5 development and its combination with azenosertib in AML
- Appointment of Luke Walker, M.D., to the Board of Directors
- Diana Hausman, M.D., stepped down as Chief Medical Officer

The company faces challenges with the azenosertib program but remains confident in its potential for gynecological malignancies. Zentalis continues to engage with regulators to resolve the hold and advance clinical development efforts.

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced the granting of non-qualified stock options to 11 newly hired employees. The Compensation Committee approved options to purchase 282,500 shares of common stock under the company's 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan. These grants, made in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), serve as an inducement for new employees joining Zentalis.

The stock options have an exercise price of $3.80 per share, equal to the closing price of Zentalis' common stock on the grant date. They have a 10-year term and will vest over four years, with 25% vesting after the first year and the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments over the following three years. Vesting is contingent upon continued employment with Zentalis.

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ZNTL) announced that on July 1, 2024, its Board of Directors' Compensation Committee granted non-qualified stock options to purchase a total of 40,875 shares of the company's common stock to five new employees. These grants fall under the 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan, designed to attract new hires. The options have an exercise price of $4.19 per share, equal to the closing price of Zentalis' common stock on the grant date. The options have a 10-year term and will vest over four years: 25% on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date, with the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments over the next three years. Continued employment is required for vesting.

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA has placed a partial clinical hold on three azenosertib monotherapy studies: Phase 1 ZN-c3-001, Phase 2 DENALI, and Phase 2 TETON due to two recent deaths in the DENALI study. Despite this setback, Zentalis remains optimistic about azenosertib's potential benefits, having treated over 500 patients with the drug. The company has completed enrollment for Cohort 1b of the DENALI study and plans to present the results later this year. Zentalis will also share findings from other studies and provide further updates following the resolution of the clinical hold. A conference call is scheduled for June 18, 8:00 am ET to discuss these developments.

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals announced on June 3, 2024, that its Compensation Committee granted new employees non-qualified stock options to purchase 20,000 shares under the 2022 Inducement Plan, adhering to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The exercise price is $11.40 per share, matching the closing price on the grant date. These options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting after one year and the rest monthly over the subsequent three years. The 2022 Inducement Plan aims to attract individuals new to Zentalis, promoting their long-term commitment to the company.

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm, will participate in the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference on June 5, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. ET. The company will host a fireside chat, with a live webcast and an archived recording accessible via their website. Zentalis specializes in developing small molecule therapeutics targeting cancer's fundamental biological pathways.

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals has appointed Dr. Luke Walker to its Board of Directors. Dr. Walker, currently the Chief Medical Officer at Harpoon Therapeutics, brings nearly 30 years of oncology and drug development experience, including successful product approvals. CEO Kimberly Blackwell highlighted his extensive expertise as pivotal for the advancement of Zentalis' pipeline, specifically azenosertib. Expected data readouts for azenosertib are anticipated throughout the remainder of 2024 and 2025, with regulatory submission planned for 2026. Dr. Walker's previous roles include VP of Clinical Development at Seagen and senior clinical roles at Cascadian Therapeutics.