CG Oncology Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Business Updates

Rhea-AI Summary

CG Oncology (NASDAQ: CGON) reported its Q1 2025 financial results and clinical progress. The company presented promising BOND-003 trial results showing 42.3% complete response rate at 24 months for Cohort C and 90.5% high-grade recurrence-free survival at 3 and 9 months for Cohort P in bladder cancer treatment. The company initiated CORE-008 Cohort CX trial evaluating cretostimogene with gemcitabine. Financially, CGON reported cash position of $688.4M, expected to fund operations into H1 2028. Q1 2025 saw increased expenses with R&D at $27.5M (up from $17.2M) and G&A at $14.8M (up from $5.8M), resulting in a net loss of $34.5M ($0.45 per share). Key upcoming milestones include BLA submission initiation and completion of PIVOT-006 Phase 3 enrollment in H2 2025.

Positive

• Strong clinical results with 42.3% complete response rate at 24 months in BOND-003 Cohort C
• Impressive 90.5% high-grade recurrence-free survival in Cohort P at 3 and 9 months
• Robust cash position of $688.4M sufficient to fund operations into H1 2028
• 97.3% of patients were free from progression to muscle invasive disease at 24 months
• Expansion of clinical program with new CORE-008 Cohort CX trial initiation

Negative

• Increased net loss to $34.5M in Q1 2025 from $16.9M in Q1 2024
• Higher R&D expenses at $27.5M, up from $17.2M year-over-year
• G&A expenses increased significantly to $14.8M from $5.8M year-over-year
• Cash position decreased from $742.0M to $688.4M quarter-over-quarter

Insights

Oncology Clinical Researcher

CG Oncology's bladder cancer therapy shows promising durability with 42.3% complete response at 24 months in key trials.

CG Oncology's clinical data for cretostimogene is showing impressive durability in bladder cancer patients. The BOND-003 Cohort C trial revealed a 75.5% complete response (CR) rate at any time, with the 24-month CR rate at 42.3% by Kaplan-Meier estimation. This represents potentially best-in-disease durability data for high-risk BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS).

What's particularly noteworthy is the median duration of response of 28 months, which is still ongoing. This suggests patients who respond to cretostimogene maintain their response for a substantial period - critical for a disease where durable responses have been challenging to achieve with existing therapies. The 97.3% freedom from progression to muscle-invasive disease at 24 months is equally impressive, as preventing progression is a key treatment goal.

For Cohort P, which targets patients with BCG-unresponsive papillary disease without CIS, the 90.5% high-grade recurrence-free survival at both 3 and 9 months suggests strong efficacy in this patient population as well. This indicates cretostimogene's potential versatility across different NMIBC subtypes.

The company's strategy of evaluating combination therapy with gemcitabine in the CORE-008 Cohort CX trial shows foresight, as combination approaches often yield better outcomes in oncology. With BLA submission planned for H2 2025 and multiple data readouts expected, cretostimogene is positioned to potentially become the backbone therapy in NMIBC, addressing over 70% of the market according to management's assessment. This could transform the treatment landscape for bladder cancer patients who currently have limited bladder-sparing options.

Biotech Financial Analyst

Strong cash position of $688.4M funds operations until 2028, despite increased R&D and G&A expenses reflecting clinical advancement.

CG Oncology maintains a robust financial foundation with $688.4 million in cash and marketable securities as of March 31, 2025. While this represents a decrease from $742 million at year-end 2024, their current runway extends into the first half of 2028, providing substantial operational flexibility through multiple clinical and regulatory milestones.

The quarterly burn rate of approximately $54 million reflects increased investment across both R&D and G&A functions. R&D expenses rose to $27.5 million from $17.2 million year-over-year, a 60% increase primarily driven by clinical trial and CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) activities. This escalation is expected given the company's advancing late-stage pipeline, particularly as they prepare for BLA submission in the second half of 2025.

G&A expenses saw an even steeper increase, reaching $14.8 million compared to $5.8 million in Q1 2024, a 155% jump. This significant rise reflects pre-commercial activities, increased headcount, and professional services related to being a public company. The net quarterly loss widened to $34.5 million ($0.45 per share) from $16.9 million ($0.36 per share) in the prior year period.

The financial strategy appears aligned with their clinical development timeline. With key milestones including BLA submission, completion of PIVOT-006 enrollment, and multiple data readouts all expected in H2 2025, CG Oncology is making appropriate investments to advance toward commercialization. The substantial cash reserve provides a significant advantage, allowing them to execute their clinical program without immediate financing pressure while preparing for potential commercial launch of cretostimogene in the high-risk BCG-unresponsive NMIBC indication.

- Updated BOND-003 clinical results presented at AUA showing best-in-disease durability and tolerability data for Cohort C with 24-month complete response rate of 42.3% by K-M -
- Promising early signal in Cohort P with 90.5% high-grade recurrence free survival at 3 and 9 months by K-M -
- New enrollment completion date for Phase 3 PIVOT-006 in intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) expected in the second half of 2025 -
- Initiated CORE-008 Cohort CX evaluating the combination of cretostimogene and gemcitabine in patients with high-risk (HR) BCG-exposed NMIBC -

IRVINE, Calif., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CG Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CGON), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a potential backbone bladder-sparing therapeutic for patients with bladder cancer, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, and provided business updates.

“In 2025, we made further progress advancing cretostimogene monotherapy as a bladder-sparing backbone therapy for patients with NMIBC,” said Arthur Kuan, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at CG Oncology. “With best-in-disease durability and tolerability data from the BOND-003 Cohort C registrational trial recently presented at AUA, we are well positioned to initiate our BLA submission in the second half of the year for the treatment of patients with HR NMIBC unresponsive to BCG. Our clinical programs have been carefully designed to address different stages of bladder cancer and tumor types. If approved, I’m confident that cretostimogene is well positioned to become backbone therapy in NMIBC, potentially addressing more than 70% of the market opportunity in need of a new and innovative therapy.”

Corporate Highlights

• Presented Best-in-Disease Durability and Tolerability Data in BOND-003 Cohort C and Promising Early Signal in Cohort P for Cretostimogene at a Plenary Session at the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting. On April 26th at the AUA Annual Meeting, the Company presented best-in-disease durability and tolerability data from Cohort C of the Phase 3 BOND-003 clinical trial that showed a 75.5% complete response (CR) at any time, with 34 confirmed CRs at 24 months and 9 patients pending their 24-month assessment as of the cutoff date of March 14, 2025. The 12- and 24-month CR rates are 50.7% and 42.3% by K-M estimation respectively. Median duration of response is 28 months and is ongoing. Notably, 97.3% of patients were free from progression to muscle invasive disease at 24 months. Additionally, Cohort P, which is in patients with BCG-unresponsive Ta/T1 papillary disease without carcinoma in situ (CIS), showed an estimated 90.5% high-grade recurrence-free survival at 3 and 9 months in 24 treated patients.
• Initiated CORE-008 Cohort CX clinical trial of cretostimogene + gemcitabine in HR BCG-exposed NMIBC. In April, the Company initiated CORE-008 Cohort CX evaluating the combination of cretostimogene and gemcitabine, given either concurrently or sequentially, in patients with HR BCG-exposed NMIBC, including patients with CIS and with or without Ta/T1 disease and patients with only Ta/T1 disease.

Anticipated Next Milestones in the Second Half of 2025

• Initiation of BLA submission for cretostimogene monotherapy in HR BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with CIS with or without Ta/T1 disease
• PIVOT-006 (intermediate-risk NMIBC): Phase 3 enrollment completion
• BOND-003 Cohort P (HR BCG-unresponsive NMIBC in Ta/T1 disease without CIS): Topline data from the Phase 3 clinical trial of cretostimogene monotherapy
• CORE-008 Cohort A (HR BCG-naïve NMIBC with CIS +/- Ta/T1): Topline data from the Phase 2 clinical trial of cretostimogene monotherapy

First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

• Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2025, were $688.4 million, compared with $742.0 million as of December 31, 2024. Based on current operating plans, the Company expects its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund operations into the first half of 2028.
• Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 were $27.5 million compared with $17.2 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in clinical trial expenses, including CMC costs, and an increase in compensation costs due to increased headcount.
• General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 were $14.8 million compared with $5.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributed to an increase in personnel-related expenses, including compensation costs from increased headcount, an increase in professional and consultant fees related to legal, accounting and consulting fees, and an increase in marketing-related costs.
• Net Loss: Net loss was $34.5 million, or ($0.45) per share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $16.9 million, or ($0.36) per share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

About Cretostimogene Grenadenorepvec
Cretostimogene is an investigational, intravesically delivered oncolytic immunotherapy that has been studied in a clinical development program, which includes more than 400 patients with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC). This program includes two Phase 3 clinical trials: BOND-003 for high-risk BCG-unresponsive NMIBC and PIVOT-006 for intermediate-risk NMIBC. CG Oncology also has a Phase 2 trial, CORE-008, evaluating the safety and efficacy of cretostimogene in high-risk NMIBC. Additionally, we have initiated an Expanded Access Program for cretostimogene in North America for patients who are unresponsive to BCG and meet certain program eligibility requirements. Cretostimogene is an investigational candidate, and its safety and efficacy have not been established by the FDA or any other health authority.

About CG Oncology
CG Oncology is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a potential backbone bladder-sparing therapeutic for patients afflicted with bladder cancer. CG Oncology sees a world where urologic cancer patients may benefit from our innovative immunotherapies to live with dignity and have an enhanced quality of life. To learn more, please visit: www.cgoncology.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
CG Oncology cautions you that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our anticipated cash runway, future results of operations and financial position; the anticipated timing and conduct of our ongoing and planned clinical trials and preclinical studies for cretostimogene, including anticipated next milestones in our development pipeline; the timing and likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals for cretostimogene; the potential therapeutic benefits of cretostimogene for high-risk and intermediate-risk NMIBC patients; and that cretostimogene has best-in-disease durability and tolerability data. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, including, without limitation: interim results of a clinical trial are not necessarily indicative of final results and one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues, following more comprehensive reviews of the data, and as more patient data becomes available; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical trials, including the BOND-003 and PIVOT-006 trials; we may use our capital resources sooner than expected and they may be insufficient to allow us to achieve our anticipated milestones; our dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, shipping and clinical and preclinical testing; results from earlier clinical trials and preclinical studies not necessarily being predictive of future results; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate efficacy of cretostimogene that may limit its development, regulatory approval, and/or commercialization; and other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K and other filings that we make with the SEC from time to time (which are available at http://www.sec.gov). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Contacts:

Media
Sarah Connors
Vice President, Communications and Patient Advocacy, CG Oncology
(508) 654-2277
sarah.connors@cgoncology.com

Investor Relations
Chau Cheng
Vice President, Investor Relations, CG Oncology
(949) 342-8939
chau.cheng@cgoncology.com

CG ONCOLOGY, INC. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
	March 31, 2025				December 31, 2024
Assets	(unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	41,472			$	257,068
Marketable securities		646,962				484,930
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		12,413				11,431
Accounts receivable - other		345				781
Total current assets		701,192				754,210
Property and equipment, net		264				272
Note receivable, net		25,176				-
Operating lease right-of-use assets		1,033				221
Other assets		516				94
Total assets	$	728,181			$	754,797
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6,731			$	6,517
Operating lease liabilities, current portion		255				186
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		15,656				14,665
Total current liabilities		22,642				21,368
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion		781				52
Total liabilities		23,423				21,420
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share; 700,000,000 and 700,000,000 shares    authorized as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively; 76,221,289    and 76,154,783 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and    December 31, 2024, respectively		8				8
Additional paid-in capital		957,183				951,350
Accumulated deficit		(252,433	)			(217,981	)
Total stockholders' equity		704,758				733,377
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	728,181			$	754,797

CG ONCOLOGY, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025				2024
Revenues
License and collaboration revenue	$	52			$	529
Operating expenses
Research and development		27,467				17,210
General and administrative		14,789				5,788
Total operating expenses		42,256				22,998
Loss from operations		(42,204	)			(22,469	)
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income, net		7,747				5,544
Other income (expense), net		5				(9	)
Total other income, net		7,752				5,535
Net loss and comprehensive loss	$	(34,452	)		$	(16,934	)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.45	)		$	(0.36	)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted		76,187,621				47,064,768

FAQ

What were the key clinical results from CGON's BOND-003 trial in Q1 2025?

BOND-003 Cohort C showed 42.3% complete response rate at 24 months, with 97.3% of patients free from disease progression. Cohort P demonstrated 90.5% high-grade recurrence-free survival at 3 and 9 months.

How much cash does CG Oncology (CGON) have and how long will it last?

As of March 31, 2025, CGON had $688.4M in cash and marketable securities, expected to fund operations into the first half of 2028.

What is CGON's net loss for Q1 2025?

CG Oncology reported a net loss of $34.5M ($0.45 per share) for Q1 2025, compared to $16.9M ($0.36 per share) in Q1 2024.

What are CG Oncology's major milestones expected in H2 2025?

Key milestones include BLA submission initiation for cretostimogene monotherapy, completion of PIVOT-006 Phase 3 enrollment, and topline data from BOND-003 Cohort P and CORE-008 Cohort A trials.

What is the market potential for CGON's cretostimogene therapy?

If approved, cretostimogene is positioned to become a backbone therapy in NMIBC, potentially addressing more than 70% of the market opportunity in bladder cancer treatment.