Data Presented at ESMO IO 2025 include Partial Responses, Durable Disease Control, and No New Safety Signals, Reinforcing Earlier FindingsEDINBURGH, United Kingdom, Dec. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NuCana plc (NASDAQ: NCNA) (“NuCana” or the “Company”) presented the latest clinical data at the annual European Society for Medical Oncology (“ESMO”) Immuno-Oncology Congress, December 10-12, 2025, in London. The data from patients with PD-1 inhibitor-resistant metastatic melanoma treated with NUC-7738 in combin ...

Financial Performance - The net loss for the period attributable to equity holders was £281,000 for Q3 2025, significantly improved from £4,511,000 in Q3 2024, representing a reduction of 94%[5] - Total comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was £26,930,000, compared to £18,389,000 for the same period in 2024, an increase of 46%[5] - The Company reported an accumulated deficit of £250.3 million and cash flows used in operating activities of £6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025[27] - The basic and diluted loss per ordinary share for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was £0.00, compared to £0.32 for the same period in 2024[37] Expenses - Research and development expenses decreased to £2,172,000 for Q3 2025 from £3,736,000 in Q3 2024, a reduction of 42%[3] - Administrative expenses increased to £1,399,000 for Q3 2025 compared to £1,358,000 in Q3 2024, a rise of 3%[3] - Share-based payment expenses totaled £9.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, significantly up from £1.7 million for the same period in 2024[46] - The Company incurred a non-cash revaluation loss of £12.6 million from derivative financial instruments related to Series A and Series B warrants for the nine months ended September 30, 2025[33] Cash and Assets - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period increased to £25,249,000 as of September 30, 2025, up from £6,749,000 at the beginning of the period, reflecting a net increase of £18,707,000[12] - Total assets rose to £32,315,000 as of September 30, 2025, compared to £14,774,000 as of December 31, 2024, an increase of 118%[8] - The accumulated deficit increased to £250,259,000 as of September 30, 2025, from £224,294,000 at the end of 2024, an increase of 12%[8] - Cash and cash equivalents increased to £25.2 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to £6.7 million as of December 31, 2024[40] Capital and Shareholder Equity - Share capital and share premium increased to £189,586,000 as of September 30, 2025, from £151,827,000 at the end of 2024, a growth of 25%[8] - The company’s share premium rose to £175.246 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to £146.146 million at the end of 2024, reflecting a growth of approximately 19.9%[47] - As of September 30, 2025, the company had issued share capital of £189.586 million, an increase from £151.827 million as of December 31, 2024, representing a growth of approximately 24.9%[47] - The company completed a registered direct offering in May 2025, raising initial proceeds of £5.2 million, with £4.4 million allocated to derivative financial instruments related to warrants[50] Future Outlook - The Company has not generated any revenues from operations to date and does not expect to in the foreseeable future[27] - The Company continues to require additional capital to achieve profitability, which is dependent on the successful development and commercialization of its product candidates[29] - The Company’s board of directors is satisfied that cash and cash equivalents on hand will be sufficient to fund anticipated operations for the next 12 months[28] Share Transactions - The total fair value of warrants exercised or cancelled during 2025 amounted to £17.1 million, with no derivative warrant liabilities remaining outstanding as of September 30, 2025[52] - The exercise price of Series B warrants was reset multiple times, ultimately to a floor price of $0.1291, resulting in the issuance of 356,412,705 ADSs, representing 8,901,317,625 ordinary shares, and gross proceeds of £3.5 million[53] - The exercise of Series A warrants resulted in gross proceeds of £0.8 million, with 8,300,000 warrants exercised for 207,500,000 ordinary shares[53] - The company issued 11,330,287 ordinary shares and 9,327,644 warrants during the share capital issuance process, contributing to the overall increase in share capital[47] Other Income - The Company recognized £2.7 million in total other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, including £1.9 million from ADR depositary contributions and £0.8 million from insurance proceeds[32]

Core Insights - NuCana plc announced promising data for its lead anti-cancer drugs NUC-7738 and NUC-3373, indicating potential for improved treatment outcomes for cancer patients [3] - The company is well-capitalized with cash reserves expected to last into 2029, following successful fundraising efforts [9][8] - Initial data from the expansion study of NUC-7738 is anticipated in Q4 2025, with final data expected in 2026 [1][6] Clinical Development Updates - NUC-7738 showed enhanced effectiveness when combined with PD-1 inhibitors, leading to increased tumor cell killing in a real-time organoid model [3] - The ongoing NuTide:701 study is recruiting additional patients with PD-1 inhibitor-resistant melanoma to explore optimal registration strategies [3] - NUC-3373 demonstrated durable activity in patients who had exhausted standard treatment options, with notable cases of significant tumor reduction [3] Financial Highlights - As of September 30, 2025, NuCana reported cash and cash equivalents of £25.2 million, a significant increase from £8.4 million in June 2025 [7] - The company reported a net loss of £0.3 million for Q3 2025, a decrease from a net loss of £4.5 million in Q3 2024 [10] - For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the net loss was £26.9 million, compared to £18.3 million for the same period in 2024 [11] Anticipated Milestones - Initial data from the Phase 1/2 expansion study of NUC-7738 is expected in Q4 2025, with regulatory guidance from the FDA anticipated in 2026 [6] - Final data from the NuTide:701 study is also expected in 2026, alongside nonclinical data on NUC-3373's mode of action [6]

Core Insights - NuCana plc has received a significant patent from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) for NUC-7738, enhancing its global intellectual property strategy and addressing unmet needs in cancer therapies in China [1][2] - NUC-7738 is currently in a Phase 1/2 clinical study (NuTide:701) in combination with pembrolizumab for patients with PD-1 inhibitor refractory or resistant melanoma, with encouraging clinical data reported [1][2] - The company aims to expand the NuTide:701 study and reinforce the overall data package to provide new treatment options for cancer patients [2] Company Overview - NuCana is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving cancer treatment outcomes through its ProTide technology, which transforms conventional chemotherapy agents into more effective and safer medicines [3] - The company's pipeline includes NUC-7738, which disrupts RNA polyadenylation and targets multiple aspects of the tumor microenvironment, and NUC-3373, derived from the nucleoside analog 5-fluorouracil [3] - NUC-3373 is being evaluated in a Phase 1b/2 modular study in combination with pembrolizumab and docetaxel for advanced solid tumors and lung cancer, respectively [3]

Core Insights - NuCana plc presented data at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2025, demonstrating the synergistic effects of NUC-7738 in combination with PD-1 inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma [1][2] - The data reinforces the mechanism of action of NUC-7738, showing a favorable safety profile and significant tumor volume reduction in patients resistant to PD-1 inhibitors [3] Company Overview - NuCana is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving cancer treatment outcomes through its ProTide technology, which transforms nucleoside analogs into more effective and safer medicines [5][6] - The company's pipeline includes NUC-7738, which disrupts RNA polyadenylation and targets multiple aspects of the tumor microenvironment, and NUC-3373, derived from 5-fluorouracil [6] Clinical Study Updates - The ongoing Phase 1/2 NuTide:701 clinical study is evaluating NUC-7738 as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab for melanoma patients, with an expansion to recruit an additional 28 patients approved by regulators [4][6] - Initial data from the NuTide:701 study indicates that NUC-7738 may sensitize various cancers to PD-1 inhibitor therapy, enhancing treatment options for patients [4][6]

Core Insights - NuCana plc announced new data on NUC-3373, showing favorable efficacy and safety in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly in combination with pembrolizumab [1][2] - The latest data indicates a patient with metastatic melanoma remains progression-free at 23 months, demonstrating a durable partial response [1][4] - Preclinical data supports the immunogenic effects of NUC-3373, enhancing immune cell activation and tumor cell death [2][4] Company Overview - NuCana is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving cancer treatment outcomes through its ProTide technology, which transforms conventional chemotherapy agents into more effective and safer medicines [3] - The company's pipeline includes NUC-7738 and NUC-3373, with NUC-3373 being evaluated in a Phase 1b/2 modular study in combination with pembrolizumab for advanced solid tumors [5] Clinical Study Findings - In the NuTide:303 study, NUC-3373 combined with pembrolizumab showed a 100% reduction in tumor lesion size in a patient with urothelial carcinoma and an 81% reduction in target lesions in a patient with metastatic melanoma resistant to prior therapy [4] - The combination therapy is noted for its favorable safety profile and evidence of durable disease control [2][4] Future Directions - The company is exploring optimal combinations and indications for further clinical studies of NUC-3373 while maintaining a cash runway into 2029 [2]

Group 1: Penguin Solutions, Inc. - Penguin Solutions reported fourth-quarter earnings of 43 cents per share, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of 38 cents per share [1] - The company reported quarterly sales of $337.922 million, which fell short of the analyst consensus estimate of $342.112 million [1] - For FY2026, Penguin Solutions projects adjusted earnings between $1.75 to $2.25 per share and sales ranging from $1.314 billion to $1.588 billion [2] - Following the earnings report, shares of Penguin Solutions dipped 17.6% to $22.24 in pre-market trading [2] Group 2: Other Companies - Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. saw a decline of 20.1% to $2.47 after announcing a public offering of common stock [4] - NOVONIX Limited experienced a drop of 12.7% to $1.79 after a previous increase of 14% [4] - NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. fell 9.1% to $51.50 following a $400 million oversubscribed private placement of common stock [4] - Joby Aviation, Inc. decreased by 8.5% to $17.30 after pricing a $513.9 million underwritten offering of common shares [4] - Archer Aviation Inc. declined 4.1% to $11.95 after a previous drop of more than 8% [4] - NextNRG Inc. fell 3.2% to $2.73 after a significant increase of 36% the previous day [4] - NuCana plc decreased by 3% to $6.81 in pre-market trading [4]

Core Viewpoint - NuCana plc has confirmed compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing criteria, closing a previously disclosed listing matter, and is well-positioned for future operations and clinical milestones [1][2]. Company Overview - NuCana is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving cancer treatment outcomes through its ProTide technology, which enhances the efficacy and safety of widely prescribed chemotherapy agents [3]. - The company's pipeline includes NUC-7738, currently in Phase 2 trials for advanced solid tumors and melanoma, and NUC-3373, being evaluated in a Phase 1b/2 study for advanced solid tumors and lung cancer [3]. Financial Position - The company anticipates that its existing cash resources, bolstered by proceeds from an ATM offering, will be sufficient to fund operations into 2029 [2].

Core Points - NuCana plc will present at the ESMO Congress 2025, focusing on the synergy between NUC-7738 and PD-1 inhibition in renal cell cancer [1] - The presentation is scheduled for October 19, 2025, and will be part of the Investigational Immunotherapy session [1] - NuCana is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company utilizing ProTide technology to enhance chemotherapy agents [3] Company Overview - NuCana aims to improve cancer treatment outcomes by transforming nucleoside analogs into more effective and safer medicines [3] - The company's pipeline includes NUC-7738, which is in Phase 2 of a Phase 1/2 study, and NUC-3373, currently in a Phase 1b/2 modular study [3] - NUC-7738 targets multiple aspects of the tumor microenvironment and disrupts RNA polyadenylation [3]

Exhibit 99.1 NUCANA PLC UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | | | For the Three Months Ended | | For the Six Months Ended | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | June 30, | | June 30, | | | | Notes | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | | | | | (in thousands, except per share data) | | | | | | £ | £ | £ | £ | | Research and development expenses | | (7,104) | (6,769) | (8,829) | (13,552) | | Administrative expenses | | (4,523) | (1,509) | (5,590) | (3,090) | | Net foreign exchange (losse ...