Arcus Biosciences (NYSE:RCUS) FY Conference Transcript

Summary of Arcus Biosciences FY Conference Call Company Overview - Company: Arcus Biosciences (NYSE: RCUS) - Focus: Development of innovative cancer therapies, particularly in the area of HIF-2 inhibitors and anti-TIGIT therapies Key Points 1. Strategic Focus on Casdatifan - Casdatifan is highlighted as a primary focus due to its ownership and strategic optionality - The drug is considered highly de-risked based on internal data and validation from belzutifan, which has a current run rate of $700 million despite being sold in late lines only - Casdatifan shows superior data compared to belzutifan across multiple efficacy measures, including progression-free survival (PFS) which is more than double that of belzutifan [2][3] 2. Upcoming Data and Studies - Anticipation for more data in 2026, particularly regarding front-line strategies and phase 3 studies - STAR-221, a phase 3 study correlating with EDGE-Gastric, is expected to read out in 2026, with 1,050 patients fully enrolled by June 2024 [5][6] - STAR-121, focusing on PD-L1 non-small cell lung cancer, will also be fully enrolled by the end of this year with 1,000 patients [6] 3. Anti-TIGIT Developments - Arcus has demonstrated differentiation between Fc-silent and Fc-enabled anti-TIGIT molecules, with promising data from the EDGE-Gastric study showing overall survival (OS) exceeding two years compared to approximately 13 months for standard treatments [4][5] - The company is optimistic about the STAR-221 results influencing the sentiment around STAR-121 [6] 4. Combination Therapies - Casdatifan is expected to provide meaningful benefits when combined with other therapies, such as cabozantinib (CABL) and anti-PD-1 agents, showing higher overall response rates compared to belzutifan combinations [9][10][11] - The combination of CAST (casdatifan) with CABL has shown a response rate of over 40% compared to 31% for belzutifan plus CABL [11] 5. Tolerability and Patient Management - CABL is favored by clinicians for its better tolerability compared to lenvatinib (Lenva), with lower incidences of common TKI-related adverse events [26][27] - The management of anemia in patients on HIF-2 therapy has been effective, with no discontinuations due to anemia reported in a cohort of 120 patients [18][19] 6. Future Directions - Arcus plans to explore additional combinations, including anti-PD-1 and bispecific therapies, to enhance treatment efficacy [30][31] - The company is focused on TKI-sparing regimens, allowing for better quality of life for patients while reserving TKIs for later stages of treatment [34] 7. Clinical Trials and Data Expectations - More mature data from the CAST plus CABL cohort is expected to be presented next year, with a focus on PFS and durability of response [21][24] - The company is also monitoring the performance of Merck's Lenva and belzutifan combinations for comparative insights [26] 8. Conclusion - Arcus Biosciences is positioned to make significant advancements in cancer treatment through its innovative therapies and strategic focus on casdatifan and anti-TIGIT developments, with several key studies and data releases anticipated in the near future [36]