Company to host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 4:30 pm ETSOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and SAN DIEGO, March 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORIC), a clinical stage oncology company focused on developing treatments that address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, today announced that it will report combination dose optimization data from the Phase 1b trial of rinzimetostat (ORIC-944) in patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer ...

Core Insights - ORIC Pharmaceuticals announced that multiple abstracts on rinzimetostat, a selective allosteric inhibitor of PRC2 for prostate cancer treatment, have been accepted for presentation at the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting [1] Group 1: Abstract Presentation Details - The poster presentations will take place on April 22, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT, focusing on novel strategies to reverse drug resistance [2] - One of the abstracts highlights rinzimetostat's effectiveness in preclinical studies against PRC2 methyltransferase-resistant settings [2] Group 2: Abstract Highlights - Rinzimetostat has shown best-in-class efficacy and safety in combination with androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors, maintaining potent inhibition of PRC2 complexes in various resistance contexts [3][5] - Preclinical studies indicate that rinzimetostat retains antitumor activity in prostate cancer cells overexpressing EZH1, while traditional EZH2 inhibitors lose potency [3] - Rinzimetostat effectively inhibits H3K27me3 in prostate cancer cells with acquired resistance mutations, suggesting its potential superiority in resistant contexts [3] Group 3: Clinical Development - A global phase 1b trial of rinzimetostat in combination with AR inhibitors is currently ongoing for metastatic prostate cancer [3][6] - The trial aims to evaluate the drug's ability to resensitize ARPI-resistant tumors to AR pathway inhibition [6] Group 4: Company Overview - ORIC Pharmaceuticals is focused on overcoming resistance in cancer, with rinzimetostat being a key candidate for prostate cancer treatment [7] - The company also develops enozertinib, targeting specific mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [7]

Core Insights - Jefferies initiated coverage on Gilead Sciences with a Buy rating and a price target of $180, while assigning a Hold rating to Amgen with a target of $350, reflecting differing views on their respective valuations and growth potential [1][2] - JPMorgan maintained an Overweight rating on Oric Pharmaceuticals, emphasizing the unjustified nature of its recent stock pullback due to competitor news [1] Gilead Sciences (GILD) - Jefferies views Gilead as well-positioned due to a clean intellectual property runway until 2036, high operating margins, and the ability to invest in its pipeline while returning capital to shareholders [1] - Gilead reported Q4 2025 revenue of $7.93 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $7.85 billion, with a full-year revenue of $29.4 billion, up 2% year-over-year [1] - The company's flagship HIV therapy, Biktarvy, generated $3.97 billion in Q4, while Descovy surged 33% to $819 million [1] Amgen Inc. (AMGN) - Jefferies acknowledged Amgen's strong execution but concluded that a 35% stock run-up has left limited near-term upside, with the stock currently trading above the $350 target [1][2] - Amgen's Q4 revenue was $9.87 billion, surpassing the estimate of $9.66 billion, with a notable growth in Repatha at +44% to $870 million, while Enbrel saw a decline of 48% to $532 million [1] Oric Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ORIC) - JPMorgan's reaffirmation of Oric's Overweight rating comes after a 16.07% drop in shares due to competitor news, which the firm believes does not reflect the fundamentals of Oric's pipeline [1] - Oric's lead asset, rinzimetostat, has shown a 55% PSA50 response rate in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, with a Phase 3 trial initiation expected in H1 2026 [1] - The company holds $392.3 million in cash, projecting a funding runway into the second half of 2028, with shares up 42.42% year-to-date despite recent pullbacks [1]

Technical Analysis - Oric Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ORIC) has reached a key level of support, indicated by a "golden cross" where its 50-day simple moving average has crossed above its 200-day simple moving average [1] - A golden cross is a bullish technical chart pattern that suggests a potential breakout, typically formed when a short-term moving average surpasses a longer-term moving average [2] Market Performance - Over the past four weeks, ORIC has experienced a significant gain of 31.6%, indicating strong market interest [4] - The company currently holds a 3 (Hold) rating on the Zacks Rank, suggesting it may be poised for further breakout potential [4] Earnings Outlook - ORIC's positive earnings outlook for the current quarter strengthens the bullish case, with no earnings estimates decreasing in the past two months and five revisions indicating upward adjustments [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ORIC has also increased, further supporting the positive sentiment around the stock [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - Oric Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ORIC) has seen a 22% increase in share price over the past four weeks, closing at $13.4, with a mean price target of $21.23 indicating a potential upside of 58.4% according to Wall Street analysts [1] Price Targets and Analyst Estimates - The mean estimate consists of 13 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $3.9, where the lowest estimate is $15.00 (11.9% increase) and the highest is $25.00 (86.6% increase) [2] - A low standard deviation suggests a strong agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement, indicating a more reliable consensus [2][9] Earnings Estimates and Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have shown increasing optimism about ORIC's earnings prospects, with a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions correlating with potential stock price increases [4][11] - Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has risen by 9.2%, with five estimates moving higher and no negative revisions [12] Zacks Rank and Investment Potential - ORIC holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates, indicating strong potential for upside [13] - While the consensus price target may not be entirely reliable, the implied direction of price movement appears to be a useful guide for investors [14]

Summary of Oric Pharmaceuticals FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Oric Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS:ORIC) - **Industry**: Clinical stage oncology - **Focus Areas**: Prostate cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer [2][3] Key Programs 1. **Rinzimetostat (ORIC-944)**: - Allosteric PRC2 inhibitor targeting prostate cancer in combination with AR inhibitors (apalutamide and darolutamide) [2][3] - Phase III study expected to start in the first half of 2026 [3][4] - Early clinical data shows promising PSA response rates and favorable safety profile compared to Pfizer's data [5][17] 2. **Enosertinib**: - EGFR inhibitor with high potency on exon 20 and PAK mutations [3][43] - Demonstrated 100% overall response rate in patients with measurable disease, including those with untreated brain metastases [43] Market Opportunity - **Prostate Cancer**: - Large patient population with significant unmet needs; over $11 billion in sales for ARPi inhibitors last year [23][24] - Potential to reverse resistance to current therapies and extend treatment duration [24][25] - **Lung Cancer**: - High prevalence of CNS metastases in lung cancer patients, making CNS activity a critical differentiator for enosertinib [43][44] Competitive Landscape - **Rinzimetostat vs. Mevrometostat**: - Rinzimetostat is positioned as a potentially best-in-class PRC2 inhibitor with better drug properties, including solubility and half-life [11][12] - Early data suggests lower rates of gastrointestinal and hematological toxicities compared to competitors [17] - **Enosertinib's Differentiation**: - Focus on CNS activity and less off-target toxicities compared to competitors [43][44] Upcoming Milestones - **Rinzimetostat**: - Q1 update with data from 20-25 patients expected, focusing on PSA50, PSA90, safety, and tolerability [38][39] - Phase III study initiation in the first half of 2026 [3][38] - **Enosertinib**: - Continued evaluation of monotherapy and combination strategies, with updates expected in the second half of 2026 [48][49] Investor Considerations - The stock's performance is closely tied to the outcomes of the MEVPRO-1 study and the company's own data releases [53][56] - Rinzimetostat is viewed as a potential blockbuster if it demonstrates differentiation in safety and efficacy [58] Conclusion Oric Pharmaceuticals is strategically positioned in the oncology space with promising drug candidates targeting significant unmet needs in prostate and lung cancers. The upcoming data releases and competitive positioning will be critical for investor confidence and stock performance moving forward.

Group 1 - H.C. Wainwright analyst Robert Burns raised the price target on Oric Pharmaceuticals (ORIC) to $25 from $23, maintaining a Buy rating on the shares [1] - The firm anticipates the next 12 months to be "an extremely catalyst-rich period" for Oric Pharmaceuticals [1]

Financial Performance - The company incurred a net loss of $129.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, with an accumulated deficit of $692.2 million as of the same date [247]. - As of December 31, 2025, the company had $392.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments, expected to fund operations into the second half of 2028 [253]. - The company expects to continue incurring significant operating losses for the foreseeable future, which may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter [248]. - The company requires substantial additional capital to finance operations and may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned due to changing circumstances [251][254]. Revenue Generation - The company has not generated any revenue from product sales to date and does not anticipate doing so for several years [249]. - The company is dependent on the successful development and commercialization of its product candidates, with no products approved for commercial sale [249]. Clinical Development Risks - The company faces risks related to regulatory approval processes and potential delays in clinical trials, which could impact its ability to generate revenue [239][252]. - The company must successfully complete ongoing clinical trials and address any delays or additional costs incurred due to public health emergencies [259]. - Clinical trials may not demonstrate the required safety and efficacy, leading to potential delays or failure in obtaining marketing approvals [267]. - The company may encounter unforeseen expenses and challenges in transitioning from a research-focused entity to one capable of supporting commercial activities [246]. - The historical failure rate for product candidates is high, with unexpected failures possible at any stage of development [261]. Regulatory Approval Challenges - The regulatory approval processes for the FDA and EMA are lengthy and unpredictable, potentially taking many years and requiring substantial evidence of safety and efficacy [265]. - The company has not yet submitted for or obtained regulatory approval for any product candidates, and there is a risk that none may ever receive approval [265]. - The FDA may require a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for product candidates, which could include burdensome post-approval study requirements [340]. - Changes in regulatory leadership and policies may disrupt normal operations at the FDA, potentially delaying timelines for product approvals and market entry [334]. Market and Competitive Landscape - The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are characterized by intense competition, with many companies developing similar products [300]. - Competitors include major pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech firms, which may have greater resources and capabilities [305]. - The company faces competition from several firms developing inhibitors against PRC2 and EGFR exon 20 mutations, including Ipsen and Johnson & Johnson [303][304]. Manufacturing and Supply Chain Risks - Manufacturing drugs is complex, and third-party manufacturers may encounter difficulties that could delay clinical trials or product availability [308]. - Changes in manufacturing methods may lead to additional costs or delays in clinical trials and commercialization [309]. Market Acceptance and Reimbursement - Market acceptance of product candidates is uncertain, and inadequate acceptance could negatively impact revenue [310][311]. - Third-party payor coverage and reimbursement practices are uncertain, which could affect the commercialization of approved products [316][319]. - The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 mandates price negotiations for certain drugs with Medicare, with the first ten drugs subject to negotiations effective in 2026 [321]. Intellectual Property and Compliance - The company owns twelve and licensed ten issued patents in the United States related to its product candidates [431]. - The patent application process is subject to numerous risks, including potential abandonment or lapse of patents due to noncompliance with procedural requirements [432]. - The uncertainty surrounding the protection of intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on the company's financial condition and results of operations [430]. Legal and Regulatory Compliance - The company faces significant product liability risks, and insufficient insurance coverage could adversely affect its business and financial condition [326]. - Compliance with healthcare laws and regulations may incur ongoing substantial costs, and violations could lead to significant penalties and operational restructuring [373]. - The company must comply with the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), which prohibits certain remuneration practices that could induce referrals for services reimbursable under federal healthcare programs [378]. Workforce and Operational Challenges - The company announced a strategic pipeline prioritization on August 12, 2025, focusing on two lead clinical programs, rinzimetostat and enozertinib, resulting in a 20% workforce reduction [400]. - As of December 31, 2025, the company had 104 full-time employees, with 76 engaged in research and development [404]. - The company does not currently have a marketing or sales team, which may hinder the commercialization of product candidates if approved [401]. Economic and Environmental Factors - Inflation and market volatility have increased costs for clinical trials and research, impacting the financial condition of the company [427]. - The U.S. Trade Representative enacted tariffs on Chinese products with a combined import value of approximately $200 billion, impacting the company's international operations [395].

Financial Performance - ORIC Pharmaceuticals reported a net loss of $30.5 million for Q4 2025, compared to a net loss of $36.3 million in Q4 2024, reflecting a decrease of 16% year-over-year[15]. - Research and development (R&D) expenses for Q4 2025 were $25.9 million, down from $32.0 million in Q4 2024, a decrease of 19.5%[7]. - General and administrative (G&A) expenses increased to $8.7 million in Q4 2025 from $7.6 million in Q4 2024, a rise of 14.5%[7]. - Cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $392.3 million as of December 31, 2025, with an expected runway into the second half of 2028[7]. - Total assets increased to $408.9 million as of December 31, 2025, compared to $274.1 million in 2024, reflecting a growth of 49%[13]. Clinical Development - Rinzimetostat demonstrated a 55% PSA50 response rate and a 20% PSA90 response rate in mCRPC patients, with 76% achieving over 50% ctDNA reduction[5]. - Enozertinib showed a 67% overall response rate (ORR) in EGFR exon 20 NSCLC patients and a 100% intracranial ORR in patients with measurable CNS disease[5]. - ORIC anticipates initiating its first global Phase 3 registrational trial for rinzimetostat in mCRPC in the first half of 2026[6]. - The company expects multiple clinical data readouts for rinzimetostat and enozertinib in 2026, ahead of potential registrational trials[1]. Funding and Financial Position - The company raised $264 million from healthcare specialist funds, enhancing its financial position for future clinical trials[1].

Core Insights - ORIC Pharmaceuticals reported promising Phase 1b data for rinzimetostat and enozertinib, indicating potential best-in-class efficacy and safety in treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) respectively [1][2][3] Financial Highlights - The company raised $264 million from healthcare specialist funds, providing a cash runway into the second half of 2028 [1] - As of December 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $392.3 million, with an additional $20 million raised post-quarter, resulting in pro forma cash and investments of $412.3 million [5][6] Clinical Development Updates - Rinzimetostat demonstrated significant PSA responses and ctDNA reductions in mCRPC patients, with 55% achieving a PSA50 response and 20% achieving a PSA90 response [4] - Enozertinib showed competitive systemic and intracranial activity in NSCLC patients, with a 67% overall response rate (ORR) in EGFR exon 20 mutations and 80% ORR in EGFR PACC mutations [7] - The company plans to initiate a global Phase 3 registrational trial for rinzimetostat in mCRPC in the first half of 2026 and expects multiple clinical data readouts in 2026 [5][6] Research and Development Expenses - R&D expenses for Q4 2025 were $25.9 million, down from $32.0 million in Q4 2024, and for the full year, R&D expenses were $109.8 million compared to $114.1 million in 2024 [6][13] - General and administrative expenses increased to $8.7 million for Q4 2025 from $7.6 million in Q4 2024, reflecting higher personnel costs and professional services [6][13] Upcoming Milestones - Anticipated milestones include combination dose optimization data for rinzimetostat in Q1 2026 and monotherapy data for enozertinib in the second half of 2026 [5][6]