Oric Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS:ORIC) FY Conference January 13, 2026 12:45 PM ET Company ParticipantsJacob Chacko - MD President, CEO, and Board MemberConference Call ParticipantsNone - AnalystAnupam Rama - Managing Director and Senior Equity AnalystAnupam RamaAll right, let's go ahead and get started. Welcome, everyone, to the 44th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference. My name is Anupam Rama. I'm one of the senior biotech analysts here at JPMorgan. I'm joined by my squad, Rathi Pinhei, Priyanka Grover, and ...

Summary of ORIC Pharmaceuticals Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: ORIC Pharmaceuticals - **Ticker**: NasdaqGS:ORIC - **Focus**: Development of small molecule drugs in oncology, specifically targeting solid tumors like prostate cancer and lung cancer [2][3] Key Points and Arguments Lead Programs - ORIC is currently focused on two lead programs in prostate cancer and lung cancer, both in dose optimization and expected to start pivotal phase three studies in 2026 [2][3] ORIC-944 Program - Recent data showed encouraging results for the ORIC-944 program, particularly in combination with apalutamide and daralutamide, with impressive PSA response rates [3][4] - ORIC-944 has a 20-hour half-life compared to Pfizer's memoremedistat, which has a five-hour half-life, suggesting a potential safety advantage [3][19] - The ability to clear ctDNA was observed in 59% of patients, which correlates strongly with long-term outcomes like PFS and OS [5][9] Safety Profile - The safety profile of ORIC-944 appears favorable, with only one grade 3 adverse event reported in 20 patients, compared to multiple grade 3 events in Pfizer's studies [13][15] - A clean safety profile is crucial for future development, especially in earlier lines of treatment for prostate cancer [14][15] Market Opportunity - The metastatic CRPC market is estimated at approximately 50,000 patients, with a total addressable market (TAM) of about $3.5 billion in the US for each of the post-AR inhibitors and post-abiraterone populations [29][30] - Historical data suggests that even with an undifferentiated profile, a second-to-market drug can capture about 35% of the market [30] Future Development Plans - ORIC plans to submit dose optimization data to regulators in early 2026 to align on pivotal study design [25][26] - The first phase three study is expected to start in the first half of 2026, with primary readout anticipated in the second half of 2027 [27][28] Pipeline Asset ORIC-114 - ORIC-114 is focused on non-small cell lung cancer, with updates expected at ESMO Asia in December, including data from multiple cohorts [35] - The drug is designed to be CNS-penetrant, which may lead to longer PFS outcomes for patients with brain metastases [36][37] Financial Position - As of the third quarter, ORIC had $413 million in cash and investments, providing a runway into the second half of 2028, covering pivotal studies for both ORIC-944 and ORIC-114 [42] Additional Important Information - ORIC maintains strong relationships with Bayer and Johnson & Johnson, which are crucial for future collaborations [31][32] - The company is exploring the potential of PRC2 inhibitors in other oncology indications beyond prostate cancer, including breast cancer and lung cancer [33][34]

Summary of Oric Pharmaceuticals (ORIC) FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Oric Pharmaceuticals (ORIC) - **Industry**: Clinical stage oncology, focusing on small molecule treatments for solid tumors, specifically prostate cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer [2][3] Key Programs and Pipeline - **ORIC-944**: An allosteric PRC2 inhibitor in combination with AR inhibitors for prostate cancer [3][4] - **ORC-114**: A brain-penetrant EGFR HER2 exon 20 inhibitor for non-small cell lung cancer mutations [4][63] Clinical Development and Data - **Upcoming Studies**: Plans to initiate two Phase III studies in 2026 for ORIC-944 and ORC-114 [4][88] - **Recent Data**: Initial data from a Phase 1b study showed a PSA 50 response of 47% and a PSA 90 response of 24% in combination with AR inhibitors, which is favorable compared to Pfizer's data [18][20] - **Safety Profile**: ORIC-944 demonstrated a lower incidence of treatment-related adverse events compared to Pfizer's PRC2 inhibitor, with a diarrhea rate of 53% and only one grade three event [19][20] Competitive Landscape - **Market Opportunity**: Prostate cancer represents a significant market with approximately 40,000 to 50,000 patients in metastatic CRPC annually [34] - **Comparison with Competitors**: ORIC-944 aims to differentiate itself from Pfizer's mebrometostat by having a longer half-life (20 hours vs. 2 hours) and a potentially better safety profile [12][33][34] - **Other Competitors**: Awareness of several other PRC2 inhibitors in development, including those from Novartis and various companies in China, which may not be optimized for prostate cancer [40][41] Future Expectations and Updates - **Next Updates**: Anticipated updates on ORIC-944 in the second half of 2025, with a focus on PSA response and safety [51][56] - **Phase III Study Timeline**: Expected to start the Phase III study for ORIC-944 in the first half of 2026 [57][88] Financial Position - **Recent Financing**: Raised $125 million in a PIPE financing, extending cash runway into the second half of 2027 [88] - **Cash Management**: The cash runway includes funding for both assets and assumes no strategic partnerships, covering all costs associated with the upcoming Phase III studies [88] Additional Insights - **Combination Studies**: ORIC-114 is being studied in combination with amivantamab, which may provide synergistic effects due to its unique mechanism of action [80][84] - **Patient Population**: ORIC's studies allow for patients with active metastases, which is a differentiating factor compared to other trials that have stringent inclusion criteria [67][72] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call, highlighting Oric Pharmaceuticals' strategic focus, clinical advancements, competitive positioning, and financial outlook.

Summary of Merus Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Merus - **Industry**: Biotechnology, specifically focused on developing bispecific and multispecific antibodies for cancer treatment - **Key Product**: Pedosemtamab, a bispecific antibody targeting EGFR and LGR5 in head and neck cancer [3][7][10] Core Points and Arguments - **Technology Platform**: Merus utilizes a foundational platform technology to develop fully human IgG1 antibodies, which enhances the chances of success in drug development by relying on established methods [4][5] - **Clinical Success**: - Pedosemtamab has shown unprecedented efficacy in head and neck cancer, with a response rate of 63% when combined with Keytruda, significantly higher than the typical 20% response rate seen with standard immunotherapy [10] - One-year overall survival rate for patients treated with pedosemtamab is reported at 79%, with projections suggesting a median overall survival of over 30 months [20][22] - **Regulatory Designation**: Pedosemtamab has received breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for both single-agent and combination therapy settings, indicating its potential to provide substantial benefits over existing therapies [11][12] - **Phase III Trials**: Enrollment for ongoing Phase III trials is progressing well, with over 125 sites activated. The company anticipates substantial enrollment by year-end and potential top-line results next year [32][33][46] Important but Overlooked Content - **Patient Population Insights**: The Phase II population is considered representative of the overall population, with no strong correlation observed between EGFR expression levels and response rates [16][13] - **Colorectal Cancer Development**: Merus is also exploring pedosemtamab in colorectal cancer, with ongoing cohorts aimed at assessing its efficacy in combination with chemotherapy and as a monotherapy [47][48] - **Financial Position**: As of the last quarter, Merus reported a cash balance of $638 million, bolstered by a recent financing of $300 million, which supports its ongoing clinical trials [63] Key Events to Watch - **Upcoming Data Releases**: Investors should look forward to the initial clinical update on colorectal cancer later this year and the top-line readout from the Phase III trials next year [63]

Summary of Oric Pharmaceuticals (ORIC) 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: Oric Pharmaceuticals (ORIC) - **Focus**: Development of small molecule drugs targeting solid tumors, specifically in lung cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer [4][5] Key Programs - **ORIC-944**: A PRC2 inhibitor for prostate cancer, currently in combination studies with two androgen receptor inhibitors (apalutamide and darolutamide) [5][6] - **ORIC-114**: A brain-penetrant inhibitor targeting lung cancer populations, including EGFR exon 20, EGFR atypicals, and HER2 exon 20 [6] Clinical Data and Comparisons - **Prostate Cancer Data**: - ORIC-944 showed a confirmed PSA 50 response rate of 47% compared to Pfizer's mevremetostat at 34% [10][13] - Confirmed PSA 90 response rate for ORIC-944 was 24% versus Pfizer's 12% [11][13] - Safety profile of ORIC-944 demonstrated lower rates of gastrointestinal toxicity compared to Pfizer's drug [14][15] Safety and Efficacy - **Toxicity Comparison**: ORIC-944 exhibited significantly lower rates of GI toxicity and anemia compared to Pfizer's data, which reported high rates of diarrhea and dysgeusia [14][15] - **Dosing Strategy**: ORIC-944 has a longer half-life allowing for once-daily dosing, while Pfizer's drug requires twice-daily dosing [26][27] Future Development Plans - **Phase III Study**: Planned to start in the first half of 2026, focusing on both post-abiraterone and post-AR inhibitor populations [33][44] - **Data Updates**: Two additional data updates expected later in 2025, focusing on dose escalation and optimization [34][36] Market Position and Strategy - **Competitive Landscape**: ORIC aims to close the timeline gap with Pfizer, emphasizing that being a second entrant in a large market can still yield significant commercial opportunities [60][61] - **Partnerships**: Strong relationships with Janssen and Bayer for drug supply and insights into clinical development [51][52] Financial Position - **Cash Position**: As of March, ORIC reported a pro forma cash position of $349 million, providing a runway into the second half of 2027 [73] Additional Insights - **ctDNA as a Biomarker**: ORIC is exploring ctDNA as a potential better marker for long-term durability compared to PSA activity [40][41] - **Focus on Frontline Opportunities**: ORIC is prioritizing frontline strategies for ORIC-114, aiming for robust data in competitive populations [63][64] Conclusion - ORIC Pharmaceuticals is positioned to advance its clinical programs with promising early data, a strong financial position, and strategic partnerships, while navigating a competitive landscape in oncology.