Stock Market News 2025-10-18

Oncology data flow from ESMO 2025

Biotech and big pharma dominated today's headlines as plenary and poster sessions at the European Society for Medical Oncology produced fresh clinical readouts that could reshape pipelines and market outlooks.

Celcuity (CELC) rolled out multiple updates: detailed results from the PIK3CA wild-type cohort of the Phase 3 VIKTORIA-1 trial that management says could be practice-changing in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (read results), plus an update on the PIK3CA-mutated cohort and additional Phase 1b analyses (cohort update and combination data). These datapoints will be watched for implications on approval pathways and market adoption.

Olema Oncology (OLMA) presented Phase 1b/2 data for palazestrant plus ribociclib in ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, adding to the competitive landscape for endocrine-combination strategies (details).

Nurix Therapeutics (NRIX) reported clinical activity for its oral CBL-B inhibitor NX-1607 across multiple tumor types, an early sign that oral immune-modulating kinase approaches may extend beyond niche indications (read the update).

Corbus Pharmaceuticals (CRBP) showcased robust responses with CRB-701 in head and neck and cervical cancers, a signal investors will weigh against development risk and commercialization runway (presentation).

Exelixis (EXEL) released a subgroup analysis from the CABINET Phase 3 trial evaluating CABOMETYX® in advanced lung and thymic neuroendocrine tumors, offering nuance to the drug's utility in rare tumor subsets (subgroup findings).

Kura Oncology (KURA) presented preliminary data on its farnesyl transferase inhibitor programs, while Nuvalent (NUVL) disclosed preliminary neladalkib activity in ALK-positive tumors beyond NSCLC — both updates highlight targeted-therapy expansion efforts (Kura, Nuvalent).

NuCana (NCNA) and Genmab (GMAB) each released translational and clinical activity updates — NuCana on NUC-7738 combos using patient-derived models (read) and Genmab on investigational Rina-S showing anti-tumor activity in heavily pretreated endometrial cancer (details).

Major late‑stage and surgical adjuvant wins

Pfizer (PFE) reported that PADCEV™ plus KEYTRUDA™, given before and after surgery, cut the risk of recurrence, progression or death by 60% and reduced the risk of death by 50% in a defined bladder cancer population. These results could shift perioperative standards and impact payer discussions if regulatory filings follow (full release).

AstraZeneca (AZN) announced that ENHERTU® followed by THP before surgery produced a pathologic complete response in 67% of high‑risk HER2+ early‑stage breast cancer patients in the DESTINY-Breast11 Phase 3 trial. That magnitude of pCR could bolster the drug's early-stage positioning and influence neoadjuvant therapy choices (trial note).

Merck (MRK) shared results showing KEYTRUDA® plus chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, reduced the risk of disease progression or death versus chemo alone in a cohort of platinum‑resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. The outcome is meaningful for a difficult-to-treat population and could inform treatment guidelines (study details).

Smaller-cap readouts and trial milestones

Delcath Systems (DCTH) announced an investigator‑initiated CHOPIN trial met its primary endpoint, a clinical milestone that could support conversations around Delcath’s procedure‑based liver-directed platform. The company also released preliminary Q3 2025 financial results (CHOPIN update, prelim. results).

NuCana, Nurix, Corbus and others reported encouraging early signals. Investors should weigh these data against sample size, follow‑up duration and next steps toward randomized trials or registrational paths.

Market structure: listings and trading notices

Nasdaq (NDAQ) halted trading in two issuers today: Platinum Analytics Cayman Limited and Etoiles Capital Group Co., Ltd. The halts can affect short‑term liquidity and are a reminder to monitor exchange notices for impacted tickers (Platinum Analytics, Etoiles Capital).

What to watch next

• Regulatory filings or confirmatory trials following the positive perioperative and neoadjuvant results from Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
• Readouts and investor guidance from companies advancing toward registrational studies after ESMO presentations, notably Celcuity, Nurix, and Corbus.
• Exchange notices for tickers currently halted by Nasdaq, which can drive abrupt price moves on relisting.

Significant items only—this feed will reflow as new, higher‑impact announcements arrive; older or lower‑priority notices will be trimmed to keep the update focused for investors tracking earnings, clinical catalysts, and market structure developments.