Cardiff Oncology Appoints Leila Alland, MD, as Interim Chief Medical Officer

The leadership transition comes as Cardiff prepares to move its proposed onvansertib regimen into a registrational Phase 3 study.

Rhea-AI Summary

Cardiff Oncology (CRDF) appointed Leila Alland as interim Chief Medical Officer, succeeding Roger Sidhu, who stepped down from the role.

The randomized Phase 2 trial in first-line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer remains ongoing. Median progression-free survival, the time before cancer worsens or death, has not been reached in the onvansertib 30 mg plus FOLFIRI and bevacizumab arm, the proposed Phase 3 regimen. All patients remaining on trial have been on treatment for more than 18 months. Cardiff plans to initiate its registrational Phase 3 study in the first quarter of 2027. Alland previously served as Chief Medical Officer at PMV Pharma, Affimed and Tarveda Therapeutics.

4 points · 0 major

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Rhea-AI Sentiment measures something else, the tone of the wording.

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0 major · 0 points

Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works

Positive

• Moderate pointMedian progression-free survival has not been reached in the ongoing Phase 2 onvansertib 30 mg combination arm.
• Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Registrational Phase 3 initiation is planned for the first quarter of 2027.
• Minor pointAll patients remaining on trial have been on treatment for more than 18 months.
• Minor pointBroader PLK1 inhibition potential in other cancers with few treatment options is also being evaluated.

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Median PFS: Not reached Time on treatment: More than 18 months Planned Phase 3 start: First quarter of 2027

Median PFS

Not reached

Ongoing randomized Phase 2 trial; onvansertib 30 mg plus FOLFIRI and bevacizumab arm

Time on treatment

More than 18 months

All patients remaining on trial

Planned Phase 3 start

First quarter of 2027

Registrational study

Key Terms

plk1 inhibition, pfs, ras-mutated, folfiri

4 terms

plk1 inhibition medical

"targeting RAS-mutated cancer by leveraging PLK1 inhibition"

PLK1 inhibition means blocking the activity of the enzyme Polo‑like kinase 1, a protein that helps cells divide. For investors, it signals a drug approach aimed at slowing or stopping fast‑growing tumors by disrupting the cell’s “division machinery,” but it also raises safety and trial‑success questions because the same process is important in healthy tissues; clinical results and side‑effect profiles drive the investment impact.

pfs medical

"median PFS has not been reached"

Progression-free survival (PFS) is a clinical-trial measure that records how long, on average, patients live without their disease getting worse after starting a treatment. For investors, PFS acts like a stopwatch of a drug’s effectiveness: longer PFS can signal meaningful patient benefit, improve chances of regulatory approval or label strength, and raise a drug’s commercial value, while shorter or unchanged PFS can weigh on a company’s prospects.

ras-mutated medical

"first line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer"

Ras-mutated describes a tumor that carries changes in one of the RAS family genes, which act like on/off switches for cell growth; these mutations make the switch stuck in the "on" position so cells grow uncontrollably. For investors, ras-mutated status matters because it determines which drugs or tests are likely to work, similar to knowing a car’s engine problem before choosing the right repair; that affects drug development, trial results, and market potential.

folfiri medical

"onvansertib 30 mg plus FOLFIRI and bevacizumab arm"

FOLFIRI is a chemotherapy combination used to treat certain cancers, made from the drugs fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin, and irinotecan — think of it as a three‑ingredient recipe designed to attack cancer cells in different ways. Investors care because its use affects demand for related drugs, influences clinical trial and approval outcomes, and can drive revenue or cost pressures for companies involved in manufacturing, supplying supportive care, or developing competing therapies.

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Seasoned oncology executive brings extensive clinical development expertise and a track record of advancing innovative cancer therapies

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cardiff Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDF), a clinical-stage biotechnology company targeting RAS-mutated cancer by leveraging PLK1 inhibition, today announced the appointment of Leila Alland, MD, as interim Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Alland is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive who has led multiple oncology drug development programs. Dr. Alland succeeds Roger Sidhu, MD, who has stepped down from his role as Chief Medical Officer.

“We are pleased to welcome Leila as interim Chief Medical Officer,” said Mani Mohindru, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Oncology. “She brings a strong track record of leadership in advancing novel cancer therapies and is well-positioned to guide our clinical strategy as we enter a pivotal phase in clinical development. Our randomized Phase 2 trial in first line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer is still ongoing, and median PFS has not been reached in the onvansertib 30 mg plus FOLFIRI and bevacizumab arm, our proposed Phase 3 regimen. All patients remaining on trial have now been on treatment for more than 18 months. We are at a defining period for Cardiff as we prepare to initiate our registrational Phase 3 study in the first quarter of 2027. Leila’s expertise will be instrumental as we advance this program and also evaluate the broader potential of PLK1 inhibition in other cancers with few treatment options.”

“Despite advances in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, significant unmet needs remain, particularly for patients with RAS-mutated disease,” said Dr. Alland. “I believe onvansertib's differentiated approach, which targets a key vulnerability of RAS-mutated tumors through PLK1 inhibition, holds significant promise for addressing these challenges and improving patient outcomes. I am excited to take on this role at such an important stage in its development and help translate that promise into meaningful clinical benefit for patients.”

Dr. Alland has served as Chief Medical Officer at several clinical-stage biotechnology companies, including PMV Pharma, a precision oncology company focused on p53; Affimed, an immuno-oncology company; and Tarveda Therapeutics, a company developing targeted drug conjugates. Previously, she held leadership positions at AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis and Schering-Plough, where she contributed to the development and approvals of oncology therapies including Tagrisso^®, Opdivo^®, Tasigna^® and Caelyx^®. Dr. Alland currently serves on the Board of Directors of Abeona Therapeutics Inc.

Dr. Alland received her medical degree from New York University and her bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her pediatric training at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and her hematology/oncology training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She previously served on the faculty of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she cared for children with cancer and conducted research focused on oncoproteins and epigenetics.

Opdivo^® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Tagrisso^® is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca PLC. Tasigna^® is a registered trademark of Novartis AG. Caelyx^® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson.

About Cardiff Oncology, Inc.

Cardiff Oncology is a clinical-stage biotechnology company targeting RAS-mutated cancers via innovative cancer treatments focused on PLK1 inhibition, a validated oncology target with practice-changing potential. Our lead asset, onvansertib, is a highly specific, oral PLK1 inhibitor currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 trial for first-line treatment of RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (“mCRC”), addressing a large, underserved patient population with high unmet need. Onvansertib is also under investigation in other PLK1-driven cancers through ongoing investigator-initiated trials and has shown robust single-agent clinical activity in hard-to-treat tumors. By targeting tumor vulnerabilities, we aim to overcome treatment resistance and deliver improved clinical outcomes for patients.

For more information, please visit https://www.cardiffoncology.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimated” and “intend” or other similar terms or expressions that concern Cardiff Oncology's expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on Cardiff Oncology's current expectations and actual results could differ materially.

There are several factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties associated with clinical development and regulatory approvals; the possibility that results from earlier clinical studies may not be predictive of future results; risks related to the timing, initiation, conduct and completion of clinical trials; the Company's need for additional financing; dependence on key personnel and third parties; competition; intellectual property risks; and other factors described in Cardiff Oncology's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that onvansertib will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove commercially successful.

Investors should read the risk factors set forth in Cardiff Oncology's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and Cardiff Oncology does not undertake any obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Investor Contact:

Candice Masse
astr partners
candice.masse@astrpartners.com

Media Contact:

Amy Bonanno
Lyra Strategic Advisory
abonanno@lyraadvisory.com

FAQ

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What is the latest Cardiff Oncology Phase 2 onvansertib trial update?

Median progression-free survival has not been reached in the onvansertib 30 mg plus FOLFIRI and bevacizumab arm of the ongoing randomized Phase 2 trial in first-line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer. All patients remaining on trial have been on treatment for more than 18 months.

When does Cardiff Oncology plan to start its registrational Phase 3 study?

Cardiff plans to initiate its registrational Phase 3 study in the first quarter of 2027. The proposed regimen is onvansertib 30 mg plus FOLFIRI and bevacizumab.