Cardiff Oncology Reports First Quarter 2026 Results and Provides Business Update
Rhea-AI Summary
Cardiff Oncology (Nasdaq: CRDF) reported Q1 2026 results and clinical progress for onvansertib in first-line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer.
Highlights include a successful End-of-Phase 2 FDA meeting, Phase 3 dose/regimen selection, strong Phase 2 ORR and PFS data, new leadership hires, and cash runway into Q1 2027.
Positive
- Phase 2 CRDF-004 ORR 72.2% for 30 mg onvansertib + FOLFIRI/bev vs 43.2% in combined SoC arms
- Phase 2 PFS improvement with 30 mg onvansertib combo (HR 0.38 vs FOLFIRI/bev; HR 0.37 vs combined SoC, p<0.05)
- Successful End-of-Phase 2 FDA meeting and Phase 3 registrational trial design aligned, using 30 mg onvansertib + FOLFIRI/bev
- New preclinical data show onvansertib enhanced activity of HER2-targeted ADC T-DXd in HER2-low breast cancer models
- Key leadership appointments: new CEO, CFO, and COO to support next growth phase
- Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $46.1 million as of March 31, 2026
- Company expects current cash resources to fund operations into the first quarter of 2027
- Total operating expenses decreased to $12.9 million in Q1 2026 from $14.5 million in Q1 2025
- R&D expenses decreased by $3.7 million year-over-year, mainly from lower clinical and preclinical costs
Negative
- Net cash used in operating activities was $12.3 million in Q1 2026
- SG&A expenses increased by $2.1 million, primarily due to employee severance and stock option modifications
- Cash runway guidance extends only into the first quarter of 2027, indicating a finite funding horizon
News Market Reaction – CRDF
In the May 15 session, CRDF declined 3.47%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24 | Full-year 2025 results | Positive | +12.3% | Full-year 2025 results with strong Phase 2 data and solid cash position. |
| Nov 06 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | -2.7% | Q3 2025 update featuring improved ORR and solid cash but shares fell. |
| Jul 29 | Q2 2025 earnings | Positive | -24.8% | Q2 2025 results with trial progress and higher cash yet sharp stock decline. |
| May 08 | Q1 2025 earnings | Positive | +1.1% | Q1 2025 results showing strong cash, IP extension, and trial enrollment. |
| Feb 27 | FY 2024 results | Positive | +4.4% | FY 2024 update with improved response rate, capital raise, and high cash. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Earnings updates often pair strong onvansertib data with solid cash runway, yet the average move of -1.9% shows a mixed market response, with some sharp selloffs despite positive news.
Over the past year, Cardiff’s earnings releases have consistently highlighted advancing onvansertib in first-line RAS‑mutated mCRC and maintaining cash runway into Q1 2027. Prior updates reported cash balances between $58.3M and $91.7M, growing response rates, and hazard ratios favoring onvansertib. Price reactions have been uneven, from a +12.35% move on 2025 results to a -24.77% drop on Q2 2025 numbers, indicating that strong clinical progress and cash runway have not always translated into sustained share strength.
Key Terms
end-of-phase 2 meeting regulatory
objective response rate medical
progression-free survival medical
hazard ratio medical
antibody-drug conjugate medical
FOLFIRI medical
FOLFOX medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Completed successful End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA and selected onvansertib dose and chemotherapy regimen for planned Phase 3 trial
Company to provide detailed data update from Phase 2 CRDF-004 trial in rapid oral presentation at
American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting
Leadership additions position Company to execute on key upcoming clinical and regulatory milestones
SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cardiff Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDF), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging PLK1 inhibition to develop novel cancer therapies, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, and provided a business update.
"This quarter was marked by the positive data update from our randomized Phase 2 CRDF-004 trial of onvansertib in first-line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer, along with key leadership additions that prepare the Company to deliver on the clinical milestones ahead,” said Mani Mohindru, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Oncology.
“In April, we had a successful End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA and aligned on the key design elements for our Phase 3 registrational trial. We plan to share additional Phase 3 details and our regulatory strategy in mid-2026. At the upcoming ASCO Annual Meeting, we will present updated CRDF-004 data, which we believe will provide further insight into onvansertib's potential in the first-line RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) setting. In parallel, we continue to strengthen the scientific foundation of our PLK1 inhibition strategy, supported by new preclinical data evaluating combination use with an antibody-drug conjugate, as well as ongoing single-agent and combination investigator-initiated studies across multiple cancer settings. With strong clinical momentum, we remain focused on disciplined execution throughout the year.”
Clinical Highlights
Upcoming Event: Reporting Updated Onvansertib Data in Rapid Oral Presentation at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting 2026
- The Company will report detailed updated data from its randomized Phase 2 CRDF-004 trial evaluating onvansertib in combination with FOLFIRI/bev or FOLFOX/bev in patients with first-line RAS-mutated mCRC in a rapid oral presentation at the ASCO Annual Meeting, taking place May 29–June 2 in Chicago. More information about the presentation is available here.
Completed End-of-Phase 2 Meeting with the FDA and Aligned on the Design of the Phase 3 Registrational Trial in Patients with First-line RAS-mutated mCRC
- In consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Cardiff selected the 30 mg dose of onvansertib for evaluation with FOLFIRI/bev chemotherapy regimen for the Phase 3 trial in patients with first-line RAS-mutated mCRC. Additional details of the clinical trial will be shared by mid-2026.
Key Opinion Leader Engagements Highlight Onvansertib Clinical Data and Opportunity in mCRC
- In March, Cardiff hosted a KOL webinar featuring internationally recognized leaders in colorectal cancer research, Drs. Scott Kopetz and Heinz-Josef Lenz. The webinar focused on the evolving treatment landscape in first-line RAS-mutated mCRC and onvansertib’s potential as a novel therapeutic approach in the management of RAS-mutated mCRC. A replay of the webcast is available in the Events section of the Company’s website.
Announced Positive Update from our Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Onvansertib in First-line RAS-mutated mCRC
- In January, Cardiff provided topline data from its ongoing CRDF-004 Phase 2 randomized clinical trial in first-line RAS-mutated mCRC. The 30 mg onvansertib + FOLFIRI/bevacizumab (bev) arm achieved a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of
72.2% compared to43.2% across the combined standard-of-care (SoC) arms. The 30 mg onvansertib dose in combination with FOLFIRI/bev also demonstrated marked improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) versus FOLFIRI/bev (HR: 0.38) and combined SoC of FOLFOX/bev and FOLFIRI/bev (HR: 0.37, p<0.05), with no significant added toxicity observed. More details available here.
Preclinical Highlights
Company Presented New Preclinical Data at the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting Supporting Rationale for Onvansertib in Combination with Antibody Drug Conjugates
- Cardiff presented new preclinical data at the AACR Annual Meeting in April demonstrating that onvansertib enhanced the activity of the HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), driving tumor regression and overcoming resistance in HER2-low breast cancer models. More details are available here.
Corporate Update
Key Leadership Appointments Strengthen Executive Team to Support Company’s Next Phase of Growth
- In April, the Company announced the appointment of Mani Mohindru, PhD, as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following her time as Interim CEO. She will continue as a member of the Board of Directors. The Company also appointed Josh Muntner as Chief Financial Officer and Ajay Aggarwal, MD, MBA, as Chief Operating Officer, effective April 6 and April 27, respectively. Together, these appointments reflect Cardiff's commitment to building an experienced leadership team to advance onvansertib and deliver on the program’s long-term potential.
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Liquidity, cash burn, and cash runway
As of March 31, 2026, Cardiff Oncology had approximately
Net cash used in operating activities for the first quarter of 2026 was approximately
Based on its current expectations and projections, the Company believes its current cash resources are sufficient to fund its operations into the first quarter of 2027.
Operating results
Total operating expenses were approximately
About Cardiff Oncology, Inc.
Cardiff Oncology is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing 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, clinical trials involve a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; our clinical trials may be suspended or discontinued due to unexpected side effects or other safety risks that could preclude approval of our product candidate; results of preclinical studies or clinical trials for our product candidate could be unfavorable or delayed; our need for additional financing; risks related to business interruptions, including the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus and cyber-attacks on our information technology infrastructure, which could seriously harm our financial condition and increase our costs and expenses; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; dependence on key personnel; limited experience in marketing and sales; substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. There are no guarantees that our product candidate will be utilized or prove to be commercially successful. Additionally, there are no guarantees that future clinical trials will be completed or successful or that our product candidate will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be 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. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. 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
| Cardiff Oncology, Inc. Condensed Statements of Operations (in thousands, except for per share amounts) (unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Royalty revenues | $ | 41 | $ | 109 | ||||
| Costs and expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 6,765 | 10,477 | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 6,126 | 4,014 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 12,891 | 14,491 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (12,850 | ) | (14,382 | ) | ||||
| Other income (expense), net: | ||||||||
| Interest income | 506 | 941 | ||||||
| Other income (expense), net | (1 | ) | 7 | |||||
| Total other income (expense), net | 505 | 948 | ||||||
| Net loss | (12,345 | ) | (13,434 | ) | ||||
| Preferred stock dividend | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (12,351 | ) | $ | (13,440 | ) | ||
| Net loss per common share — basic and diluted | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.20 | ) | ||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding — basic and diluted | 68,350 | 66,524 | ||||||
| Cardiff Oncology, Inc. Condensed Balance Sheets (in thousands) (unaudited) | ||||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 8,544 | $ | 17,470 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 37,512 | 40,834 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable and unbilled receivable | 191 | 182 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,095 | 1,642 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 47,342 | 60,128 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 491 | 578 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 495 | 629 | ||||||
| Other assets | 844 | 549 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 49,172 | $ | 61,884 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 5,480 | $ | 8,087 | ||||
| Accrued liabilities | 8,337 | 7,577 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 646 | 730 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 14,463 | 16,394 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | — | 102 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | 14,463 | 16,496 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 34,709 | 45,388 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 49,172 | $ | 61,884 | ||||
