Core Insights - Lunai Bioworks has achieved a significant commercial milestone in its NIH STTR-supported initiative, generating high-resolution behavioral signatures related to ethanol exposure and alcohol withdrawal, which highlights previously underexplored biological mechanisms with strong translational potential [1][3] - The company has launched a new drug discovery program targeting Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), which affects approximately 30 million individuals in the U.S., with over 95% of these individuals receiving no effective pharmacologic treatment [1][3] Company Overview - Lunai Bioworks is an AI-powered drug discovery and biodefense company focused on pioneering safe and responsible generative biology, utilizing proprietary neurotoxicity datasets and advanced machine learning [4] - The company aims to build high-value, partner-ready programs that leverage its platform to address large, underpenetrated CNS markets, particularly in the context of AUD [3][4] Market Opportunity - Alcohol Use Disorder represents one of the largest and most underserved markets in neuropsychiatry, with excessive alcohol use costing the U.S. economy approximately $250 billion annually and contributing to over 200 disease states [3] - Fewer than 5% of individuals with AUD are treated by healthcare professionals, indicating significant therapeutic limitations and biological heterogeneity within the disorder [3][4] Research and Development Strategy - The AUD program is designed to advance differentiated, mechanism-informed therapeutic candidates toward clinical translation, with scalable screening infrastructure now operational to facilitate rapid progress [2] - High-resolution behavioral phenotyping is expected to reveal mechanistic signals that conventional approaches miss, providing a rational foundation for precision therapeutic development [4]

-  PEAK trial first ever study to demonstrate statistical significance over an active comparator in GIST patients, with bezuclastinib plus sunitinib combination demonstrating mPFS of 16.5 months and ORR of 46% in patients who had received prior treatment with imatinib  -  Cogent is expected to initiate the RTOR process immediately; completion of the PEAK NDA submission expected in April 2026 WALTHAM, Mass. and BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT), a biote ...

Core Insights - Cogent Biosciences, Inc. is poised for significant advancements in 2026, focusing on the commercialization of bezuclastinib and expanding its pipeline of targeted therapies [2][6][11] Milestones for 2026 - The company plans to launch bezuclastinib in the second half of 2026, following the submission of multiple New Drug Applications (NDAs) for various indications [2][6][7] - An NDA for bezuclastinib in NonAdvanced Systemic Mastocytosis (NonAdvSM) was submitted in December 2025, with acceptance expected by the end of February 2026 [6][7] - An NDA for bezuclastinib in Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) is on track for submission in April 2026, potentially marking the first new therapy for second-line GIST in over 20 years [6][7] - Clinical data from pivotal trials (SUMMIT, PEAK, APEX) will be presented at major medical meetings in the first half of 2026 [6][7] Financial Position - Cogent enters 2026 with approximately $900 million in cash, which is expected to fund commercial launches and operations well into 2028 [6][7] Leadership and Team - Abb Hayden has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Sales, bringing over 25 years of industry experience to the company [8] Expanded Access Programs - The company has established Expanded Access Programs for U.S. patients with GIST or Systemic Mastocytosis, allowing access to bezuclastinib for eligible patients [8]

Core Insights - Cogent Biosciences announced positive top-line results from the APEX Part 2 clinical trial of bezuclastinib for advanced systemic mastocytosis (AdvSM), marking the third positive pivotal trial result for the drug in 2025 [1][2] - The company plans to submit a new drug application (NDA) to the FDA for bezuclastinib in AdvSM in the first half of 2026 and will present detailed data from the APEX trial at a scientific meeting during the same period [1][7] Clinical Trial Results - In the APEX Part 2 trial, 81 AdvSM patients were treated with 150 mg of bezuclastinib, with 68 patients evaluable for the primary endpoint [2][5] - The trial showed a 57% objective response rate (ORR) per mIWG criteria and an 80% ORR per pure pathological response (PPR) criteria [4][5] - Significant clinical activity was observed, with 89% of patients achieving a ≥50% reduction in serum tryptase and bone marrow mast cells, and 91% showing a ≥50% reduction in KIT D816V variant allele frequency [3][4] Safety and Tolerability - Bezuclastinib demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with only 14.8% of patients requiring dose reduction and no discontinuations due to treatment-related adverse events [6][4] - The most common treatment-related adverse events included hair color change (30.9%), neutropenia (29.6%), and altered taste (28.4%) [6] Future Plans - Cogent is preparing for multiple commercial launches in the second half of 2026 based on the positive results from the APEX trial and previous trials [2][11] - The company will host a live webcast to discuss the full data from the SUMMIT trial and the APEX results [8]

Core Insights - Cogent Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:COGT) has seen a significant increase in its stock value, with a notable upward revision of its price target from $21 to $50 by H.C. Wainwright, reaffirming a Buy rating [1][2] - The positive outlook is primarily driven by the results of the Phase 3 PEAK trial, which indicates that the combination of bezuclastinib and sunitinib could become the second-line standard of care for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) [2][3] - Following the announcement of the trial results, Cogent's shares surged by 119% on the day of the announcement [3] Company Developments - Cogent Biosciences announced the positive results of the Phase 3 PEAK trial on November 10, 2025, and plans to submit a new drug application (NDA) to the U.S. FDA for bezuclastinib in GIST in the first half of 2026 [3][4] - The trial results showed a greater than seven-month improvement in median progression-free survival (mPFS), effectively reducing the rate of progression or death by half for patients with imatinib-resistant or intolerant GIST [4] Industry Context - The results of the PEAK study are seen as a significant advancement for GIST patients, particularly those who have been waiting for nearly 20 years for a new second-line treatment option [4] - The company focuses on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, with a primary emphasis on mastocytosis and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) [4]

Core Insights - Cogent Biosciences reported positive results from the Phase 3 PEAK trial of bezuclastinib plus sunitinib in patients with imatinib-resistant or intolerant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) [2][3] - The combination therapy achieved a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 16.5 months, significantly higher than the 9.2 months observed with sunitinib monotherapy [2][4] - The objective response rate (ORR) for the bezuclastinib combination was 46%, compared to 26% for sunitinib alone, indicating a substantial improvement in treatment efficacy [2][4] Clinical Trial Results - The PEAK trial demonstrated a 50% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death, with a hazard ratio of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.39 – 0.65) [4] - The trial results are the first positive Phase 3 outcomes for second-line GIST patients in over 20 years, marking a significant milestone in treatment options [2][3] - The estimated mean duration of treatment for the bezuclastinib combination is projected to exceed 19 months [5] Safety Profile - The bezuclastinib combination was generally well tolerated, with no unique risks compared to sunitinib's known safety profile [6] - Common Grade 3+ treatment emergent adverse events included hypertension (29.4% vs. 27.4% for sunitinib), neutropenia (15.2% vs. 15.4%), and ALT/AST increases (10.8% vs. 1.4%) [6] - Discontinuation rates due to treatment-related adverse events were 7.4% for the bezuclastinib combination and 3.8% for sunitinib monotherapy [6] Future Plans - Cogent plans to submit a new drug application (NDA) to the U.S. FDA for bezuclastinib in GIST in the first half of 2026 [2][12] - Detailed results from the PEAK trial will be presented at a scientific conference in the first half of 2026 [2][7] - The company is also preparing for additional presentations and data releases related to its other clinical programs [12]

Core Insights - Palisade Bio has appointed Sharon Skare, PhD(c), as Vice President, Global Head of Clinical Operations, bringing over 24 years of experience in clinical development across various therapeutic areas [1][3][4] - The company is focused on advancing PALI-2108 for ulcerative colitis and fibrostenotic Crohn's disease, with a Phase 2 IND submission planned for the first half of 2026 [1][7] Company Overview - Palisade Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision therapies for autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases [8] - The company aims to transform the treatment landscape by utilizing a targeted approach with its novel therapeutics [8] Product Development - PALI-2108 is an orally administered prodrug designed for local delivery of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibition specifically to the terminal ileum and colon [5] - The prodrug is engineered to be gut-restricted and pharmacologically inactive until it reaches the lower intestine, where it is activated by bacterial enzymes [5][6] - A Phase 1a/1b study of PALI-2108 for ulcerative colitis has been completed with positive data, and a Phase 1b study for fibrostenotic Crohn's disease is currently underway [7] Leadership and Expertise - Sharon Skare has a strong background in global clinical development, having previously held senior positions at Abivax, Pfizer, and Arena Pharmaceuticals [3][4] - Her experience includes overseeing global Phase 3 and Phase 2 programs in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as well as leading clinical operations for Etrasimod, now approved as Velsipity™ [3][4]

Core Insights - Palisade Bio has developed PALI-2108, a first-in-class PDE4 inhibitor specifically targeting the terminal ileum and colon for treating fibrostenotic Crohn's disease (FSCD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) to meet significant unmet medical needs [1][4] Intellectual Property - The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has granted patent number 3,174,137 for PALI-2108, providing composition-of-matter protection until May 28, 2041 [2] - The patent covers the unique design of PALI-2108, which includes a galactose-derived sugar moiety that minimizes absorption until activated by colonic bacteria [2] Clinical Development - Palisade Bio is advancing PALI-2108 in a Phase 1b study for FSCD, with patient dosing expected to start in the second half of 2025 and topline data anticipated in the first quarter of 2026 [3] - Results from the Phase 1b study, along with data from completed Phase 1a/1b trials in UC, will support a planned Phase 2 IND submission to the FDA in the first half of 2026 [3] Product Overview - PALI-2108 is an orally administered prodrug designed for gut-restricted delivery, achieving high local tissue concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure [4] - The mechanism of action aims to maximize anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects while reducing common tolerability issues associated with systemic PDE4 inhibitors [4] Company Background - Palisade Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics for autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases [5]

Core Insights - Cogent Biosciences has secured a debt financing facility of up to $400 million to support its growth strategy, including the anticipated launch of bezuclastinib in 2026 [1][2] - The company is on track to report results from three pivotal trials in 2025, starting with the SUMMIT trial results in July [1][4] Financing Details - An initial tranche of $50 million was drawn at closing, with an additional $100 million available in 2025 based on successful data readouts from SUMMIT and PEAK trials [3] - A further $50 million can be accessed upon achieving early commercial success after the bezuclastinib launch, with the remaining $200 million available through mutual agreement [3] Clinical Trials - The SUMMIT trial is a registration-directed, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study focused on patients with NonAdvSM, with results expected in July 2025 [4] - The APEX trial, an open-label study in patients with AdvSM, is set to release results in the second half of 2025, while the PEAK trial results are expected before the end of 2025 [4] Company Overview - Cogent Biosciences specializes in developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, with bezuclastinib being a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the KIT D816V mutation [6] - The company is also advancing a Phase 1 study of a novel FGFR2 inhibitor and developing therapies targeting mutations in ErbB2, PI3Kα, and KRAS [6]