**Curis Inc. (CRIS): Anticipated Clinical Trial Milestones**
Curis Inc. (CRIS), a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies to slow or prevent cancer progression and extend lives, is gearing up for several pivotal clinical trial milestones by the end of this year.
The company's flagship drug, Emavusertib, is a pioneering IRAK4 inhibitor currently undergoing phase I/II clinical studies targeting leukemia and lymphoma, labeled **TakeAim Leukemia** and **TakeAim Lymphoma**.
IRAK4 (interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4) is crucial for inflammation, oncogenesis, and cancer cell survival. Research indicates that inhibiting IRAK4 can have anti-tumor effects in preclinical cancer models.
Initial phase I/II data from Emavusertib have shown promising single-agent anti-cancer activity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), with the potential for broader application when used in combination with standard treatments.
In the **TakeAim Lymphoma** trial, Emavusertib is being evaluated both as a monotherapy and in combination with AbbVie's *Ibrutinib* for various non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes, including primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) patients. Notably, *Ibrutinib* is already approved for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Waldenström Macroglobulinemia, and Graft-versus-host disease indications.
The combination data from the Emavusertib/Ibrutinib study, released last December, highlighted a manageable and acceptable safety profile.
Updated results from the combination study targeting R/R PCNSL patients in the **TakeAim Lymphoma** trial are expected by late 2024.
Further, a phase I trial investigating the combination of Emavusertib with *Azacitidine* and *Venetoclax* in AML patients is ongoing, with initial safety data anticipated late in 2024. (*Azacitidine* plus *Venetoclax* is a standard treatment for newly diagnosed AML patients unfit for intensive induction chemotherapy.)
**Financial Overview**
For the first quarter ending March 31, 2024, Curis reported a net loss of $11.9 million, or $2.05 per share, versus a net loss of $11.6 million, or $2.39 per share, for the same period in 2023.
Curis currently does not generate revenue from direct product sales but acknowledges royalty income linked to Genentech/Roche's sales of Erivedge.
Erivedge, approved by the FDA in January 2012 for advanced basal cell carcinoma, is commercialized by Genentech and Roche under a 2003 collaboration agreement with Curis. The drug also holds approval across the European Union and multiple other countries.
Revenue for Q1 2024 stood at $2.1 million, compared to $2.3 million in the previous year's quarter, primarily comprising royalties from Erivedge sales by Genentech/Roche.
**Cash Position**
As of March 31, 2024, Curis reported $40.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments.
In the past year, CRIS has traded between $0.38 and $17.49. The stock closed at $6.38 on Friday, July 5, 2024, marking a 2.08% increase.
