SAN DIEGO, Nov. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cardiff Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDF), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging PLK1 inhibition to develop novel therapies across a range of cancers, today announced that company management will participate in a fireside chat and 1x1 investor meetings at the Piper Sandler 37th Annual Healthcare Conference, which is taking place from December 2-4, 2025. Details of the presentation can be found below. Presenters: Mark Erlander, PhD (CEO) Date: 12/02/2025Ti ...

Summary of Cardiff Oncology FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Cardiff Oncology (NasdaqCM:CRDF) - **Focus**: Development of onvansertib, a specific inhibitor of PLK1, targeting RAS mutated metastatic colorectal cancer [5][6] Key Points Clinical Development and Pipeline - **Current Trial**: CARD004 trial focusing on first-line RAS mutated metastatic colorectal cancer [6] - **Upcoming Data**: Expected data release in Q1 2026, focusing on durability, progression-free survival (PFS), and duration of response [6][29] - **Mechanism of Action**: Onvansertib shows synthetic lethality in RAS mutant backgrounds, synergy with topoisomerase one inhibitors, and with Bevacizumab [9][10][12] Unmet Need in Colorectal Cancer - **Prevalence**: Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy globally, with increasing incidence, especially in younger patients [14][15] - **Current Treatment Landscape**: Limited options with only Bevacizumab approved in the last 20 years for advanced colorectal cancer [15] - **Target Population**: Focus on first-line treatment for previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer, addressing a significant unmet need [16] Clinical Trial Insights - **Response Rates**: High response rates observed in patients naive to Bevacizumab, with some achieving complete responses [11][25] - **Safety Profile**: Onvansertib demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no significant increase in adverse events compared to standard care [26][27] Regulatory and Market Strategy - **Regulatory Pathway**: Plans for a pivotal study with a seamless design for accelerated approval based on response rates and full approval based on PFS [31] - **Market Opportunity**: The first-line metastatic colorectal cancer market is described as a multi-billion dollar opportunity [35] - **Competitive Landscape**: Cardiff Oncology is uniquely positioned as the only company targeting the RAS mutated population in this setting [36] Financial Position - **Cash Reserves**: As of Q3, the company reported over $60 million in cash, providing a runway into 2027 [38] Future Development Opportunities - **Potential Expansion**: Interest in exploring onvansertib's application in other tumor types, including triple-negative breast cancer and EGFR rechallenge in colorectal cancer [40][42] Additional Insights - **Intellectual Property**: Issuance of new patents for patient selection in colorectal cancer, extending IP protection to 2043 [12] - **Clinical Trial Design**: Emphasis on randomized trial structure to ensure data integrity and reduce bias [19] This summary encapsulates the critical aspects of Cardiff Oncology's conference call, highlighting the company's strategic focus, clinical advancements, and market potential in the oncology space.

Core Insights - Cardiff Oncology announced positive data from the ongoing Phase 2 CRDF-004 trial evaluating onvansertib in combination with standard of care for first-line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) [1][2] - The company expects to report an update from the Phase 2 CRDF-004 trial in Q1 2026 [1] - As of September 30, 2025, the company had cash and investments totaling $60.6 million, projected to fund operations into Q1 2027 [1][5] Clinical Trial Results - The CRDF-004 trial demonstrated a 19% improvement in confirmed objective response rate (ORR) for the 30mg onvansertib cohort compared to the control arm as of the July 8, 2025 data cutoff [2][6] - Early progression-free survival (PFS) data show a trend favoring the 30mg onvansertib arm versus control, although median PFS has not yet been reached [6] - Onvansertib continues to be well-tolerated, with no major or unexpected toxicities observed [6] Financial Performance - For the third quarter of 2025, net cash used in operating activities was approximately $10.8 million, an increase from $10.5 million in the same period in 2024 [4] - Total operating expenses for the quarter were approximately $12.1 million, a decrease from $12.8 million for the same period in 2024, primarily due to reduced clinical trial expenses [6][7] - The company reported a net loss of $11.3 million for the third quarter of 2025, compared to a net loss of $11.9 million in the same period in 2024 [12] Company Overview - Cardiff Oncology is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies leveraging PLK1 inhibition for various cancers, with onvansertib as its lead asset [8] - The company is targeting significant medical needs in oncology, particularly for RAS-mutated mCRC, with approximately 150,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the U.S. [2][8]

Summary of Cardiff Oncology Conference Call - October 09, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Cardiff Oncology (NasdaqCM:CRDF) - **Lead Asset**: Onvansertib, a small molecule targeting PLK1, a known cancer therapy target Industry Context - **Disease Focus**: Colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer globally, with increasing incidence, particularly in individuals under 50 in the U.S. - **Market Need**: High unmet need in RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC), with limited innovation in the last 20 years Key Points and Arguments 1. **Onvansertib's Mechanism**: - First-in-class PLK1 inhibitor that is well tolerated and can be combined with chemotherapy for colorectal cancer treatment [2][3] - Demonstrates 5,000-fold greater specificity for PLK1 compared to other PLKs, contributing to its tolerability [3] 2. **Clinical Trial Insights**: - The CARDIFF-004 trial is a Phase II study focusing on first-line RAS-mutated MCRC, combining onvansertib with standard chemotherapy [7] - Confirmed objective response rate of 49%, a nearly 20% improvement over control [8] - Early signs of progression-free survival (PFS) separation observed, particularly in the 30 mg dose group [11][12] 3. **Patient Response**: - Significant depth of response noted, with some patients previously considered unresectable being referred for curative surgery [11] - High patient compliance due to the oral administration and low toxicity profile [13] 4. **Safety Profile**: - Minimal additive toxicity observed when combined with standard chemotherapy, with no significant increase in grade III or higher adverse events [13] 5. **Strategic Partnerships**: - Pfizer invested $15 million in Cardiff Oncology in 2021 and has a member on the Scientific Advisory Board, indicating strategic interest in onvansertib [19] - Pfizer is acting as a contract research organization for the ongoing trial, while Cardiff retains full ownership of onvansertib [20] 6. **Financial Position**: - As of June 30, 2025, Cardiff had $71 million in cash, funding operations into early 2027 [21] - Anticipated updates from the CARDIFF-004 trial in Q1 2026, expected to provide more data on durability and PFS [27] 7. **Commercial Opportunity**: - Analysts estimate peak sales for onvansertib between $2 billion and $3 billion annually, with a favorable competitive landscape in first-line RAS-mutated MCRC [31] - Rapid adoption expected if efficacy is demonstrated without additional toxicity [32] 8. **Market Positioning**: - Onvansertib targets RAS-mutated MCRC, which constitutes about 50% of the patient population, while competitors like Meris focus on RAS wild type patients, thus not seen as direct competition [35] Additional Important Content - **Future Directions**: Cardiff is exploring other indications for onvansertib, including triple-negative breast cancer and small cell lung cancer, while maintaining focus on colorectal cancer [24] - **Research Findings**: Novel findings regarding the synergy between onvansertib and bevacizumab published in top journals, with patents extending the commercial runway for onvansertib [18] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call, highlighting Cardiff Oncology's strategic positioning, clinical advancements, and market potential for onvansertib in treating colorectal cancer.

Core Insights - Cardiff Oncology, Inc. is participating in two investor conferences in October 2025, showcasing its focus on PLK1 inhibition for cancer therapies [1][2][3] Group 1: Upcoming Events - Cardiff Oncology will present at the Piper Sandler Virtual Oncology Symposium on October 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET, featuring CEO Mark Erlander, CFO James Levine, and CMO Roger Sidhu [2] - The company will also present at the Noble Capital Markets' Emerging Growth Virtual Equity Conference on the same day at 2:00 PM ET, with CEO Mark Erlander as the presenter [3] - Registration for the Noble Capital Markets conference is free, and a webcast replay will be available within 48 hours post-presentation on the company's website [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Cardiff Oncology is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies through PLK1 inhibition, targeting various cancers [4] - The lead asset, onvansertib, is being evaluated in combination with standard of care treatments for RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer and other cancers, including metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, small cell lung cancer, and triple negative breast cancer [4] - The company's development strategy aims to exploit tumor vulnerabilities to overcome treatment resistance and provide superior clinical benefits compared to standard therapies [4]

Core Insights - Cardiff Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies through PLK1 inhibition for various cancers [3] Group 1: Upcoming Investor Conferences - Cardiff Oncology management will participate in three investor conferences in September 2025 [1] - The conferences include the Wells Fargo 20 Annual Healthcare Conference on September 5, 2025, the Morgan Stanley 23 Annual Global Healthcare Conference on September 8, 2025, and the H.C. Wainwright 27 Annual Global Investment Conference on September 9, 2025 [2] Group 2: Company Overview - The lead asset of Cardiff Oncology is onvansertib, a PLK1 inhibitor being evaluated in combination with standard of care therapies for RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer and other cancers [3] - The company's development strategy aims to target tumor vulnerabilities to overcome treatment resistance and provide superior clinical benefits compared to standard therapies [3]

Core Insights - Cardiff Oncology, Inc. announced positive results from the CRDF-004 Phase 2 clinical trial of onvansertib in combination with standard-of-care for first-line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), showing a 49% confirmed objective response rate (ORR) in the 30mg dose arm compared to 30% in the control arm [1][2][4] Trial Design - The CRDF-004 trial enrolled patients with documented KRAS or NRAS mutations and evaluated onvansertib added to standard-of-care regimens [3] - Patients were randomized into six arms, including different doses of onvansertib combined with standard-of-care or standard-of-care alone, with primary and secondary endpoints focused on ORR and progression-free survival (PFS) [3] Efficacy Data - The confirmed ORR was 30% for the control arm, 42% for the 20mg onvansertib plus SoC arm, and 49% for the 30mg onvansertib plus SoC arm [4] - At the 6-month mark, the ORR was 22% for the control arm, 33% for the 20mg dose, and 46% for the 30mg dose [4] - Early PFS data indicated a trend favoring the 30mg onvansertib dose compared to the control arm [9] Safety and Tolerability - Onvansertib was well-tolerated among the 104 patients dosed, with no major or unexpected toxicities reported [10] - Grade 3 or higher adverse events were infrequent, with neutropenia being the most common treatment-emergent adverse event [10] Future Outlook - The company plans to engage in discussions with the FDA and advance towards the registrational CRDF-005 trial, with an update on the first-line mCRC program expected by Q1 2026 [11][12]

Core Insights - Cardiff Oncology, Inc. has made significant progress in its clinical trials, particularly with the completion of enrollment in the Phase 2 CRDF-004 trial for first-line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) [2][8] - The company appointed Dr. Roger Sidhu as Chief Medical Officer to guide the development of onvansertib through the registrational phase [2][6] - Positive clinical data was announced from an investigator-initiated trial of onvansertib in combination with paclitaxel for metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC), showing a 40% objective response rate [4] Financial Overview - As of June 30, 2025, Cardiff Oncology reported cash and investments totaling approximately $71.0 million, with a projected runway into Q1 2027 [9][10] - The net cash used in operating activities for Q2 2025 was approximately $8.3 million, a decrease from $9.2 million in the same period of 2024 [9] - Total operating expenses for the quarter were approximately $14.9 million, an increase of $2.2 million from $12.7 million in Q2 2024, primarily due to costs associated with clinical trials and key hires [11] Clinical Development Highlights - The CRDF-004 trial reached its targeted enrollment across 41 clinical sites in the U.S. [8] - The Phase 1b study of onvansertib in combination with paclitaxel demonstrated a safe and manageable toxicity profile, with myelosuppression being the most common adverse event [4] - A second patent was issued for the treatment of mCRC in bevacizumab-naïve patients, with an expiration date no earlier than 2043 [5][7]

Core Insights - Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals is developing plogosertib, a PLK1 inhibitor, as a potential treatment for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC), a rare liver cancer with no approved therapies [1][2][5] Group 1: Disease Overview - FLC primarily affects adolescents and young adults, with an estimated annual incidence in the US of 0.02 per 100,000 [3] - The five-year survival rate for FLC patients is approximately 30%, and the disease is often misdiagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [3] - FLC is characterized by the presence of a unique DNAJB1-PKAc gene fusion, which is a common driver of the disease [4] Group 2: Research Findings - A recent study published in the journal Gut indicates that the DNAJ-PKAc fusion oncoprotein increases sensitivity to PLK1 inhibitors like plogosertib in FLC cells [1][2] - PLK1 is essential for the growth of FLC cells, and its inhibition leads to significant reduction in FLC growth while sparing normal liver cells [2] - The study suggests further evaluation of plogosertib in preclinical and clinical studies for FLC treatment [2] Group 3: Drug Development - Plogosertib is a selective and potent PLK1 inhibitor that has shown efficacy in human tumor xenografts at non-toxic doses [7] - Initial Phase 1 clinical study data indicate that plogosertib is well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicity observed [8] - Cyclacel's strategy includes developing plogosertib for various solid tumors and hematological malignancies, with a focus on cancers associated with DNAJ-PKAc fusions [10]

Core Points - Cardiff Oncology, Inc. has appointed Dr. Roger Sidhu as Chief Medical Officer, succeeding Dr. Fairooz Kabbinavar, who will remain in an advisory role [1][2] - The company plans to share additional clinical data from its lead program in RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) on July 29, 2025 [1][2][5] - Dr. Sidhu brings over 20 years of experience in oncology research and development, having previously held significant roles at Treadwell Therapeutics and Amgen [2][3][4] Company Overview - Cardiff Oncology is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies through PLK1 inhibition for various cancers, with its lead asset being onvansertib [1][8] - The company is targeting RAS-mutated mCRC and has ongoing and planned trials for other indications, including metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, small cell lung cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer [8] Leadership Transition - Dr. Sidhu's appointment is seen as a strategic move to advance the clinical program for onvansertib through late-stage development [2][6] - The company expressed gratitude to Dr. Kabbinavar for his leadership in progressing onvansertib's clinical development across multiple tumor types [2] Upcoming Events - Cardiff Oncology will host a conference call and live webcast on July 29, 2025, to present additional clinical data from the CRDF-004 trial [5][6] - The conference call will be accessible via the company's website, with a replay available afterward [5] Stock Option Grant - In connection with Dr. Sidhu's appointment, the Board of Directors approved a grant of non-qualified stock options to purchase 600,000 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $3.86 per share [6][7] - The stock options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting after 12 months and the remainder vesting monthly over the following 36 months [7]