Curis Announces Eleven Active Clinical Sites in TakeAim CLL Study, Reaffirms Patient Dosing Guidance, and Reports Stockholder Approval of Reverse Stock Split
Rhea-AI Summary
Curis (NASDAQ: CRIS) reported operational and corporate updates. Eleven clinical sites are now open for enrollment in the Phase 2 TakeAim CLL study of emavusertib with zanubrutinib. Curis reaffirmed guidance to dose the first five patients by end of July 2026, with data expected December 2026. Stockholders approved a reverse stock split at a 1-for-5 to 1-for-25 ratio to support regaining Nasdaq $1.00 bid price compliance, with final terms to be set by the board.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Eleven clinical sites open for Phase 2 TakeAim CLL enrollment
- Guidance reaffirmed: first five patients dosed by end of July 2026
- Initial TakeAim CLL data expected in December 2026
- Shareholders approve reverse stock split authorization to aid Nasdaq compliance
Negative
- Company working to regain compliance with Nasdaq $1.00 bid price rule
- Reverse stock split authorized at ratio between 1-for-5 and 1-for-25
News Market Reaction – CRIS
On the day this news was published, CRIS gained 55.98%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +109.2% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -6.6% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 39 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $5M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $14.68M at that time. Trading volume was exceptionally heavy at 78.4x the daily average, suggesting very strong buying interest.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Peers on Argus
CRIS is flagged as moving up alongside FBLG and AKTX, which also show upside momentum, indicating broader small-cap biotech strength rather than a purely stock-specific move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12 | Quarterly update | Negative | -9.2% | Q1 2026 results with larger net loss and no Erivedge royalty revenue. |
| May 05 | Earnings call notice | Neutral | +8.2% | Announcement of date and time for Q1 2026 results and webcast. |
| Mar 19 | Quarterly update | Positive | +1.9% | Q4 2025 update with net income, non-cash gain and financing structure. |
| Mar 12 | Earnings call notice | Neutral | -5.9% | Scheduling of Q4 2025 results release and investor call details. |
| Jan 09 | Private placement | Negative | -2.7% | PIPE financing of up to $80.8M in gross proceeds with initial funding. |
CRIS reactions to fundamental updates and financings often align with news tone, while simple scheduling announcements show more mixed, divergence-type moves.
Regulatory & Risk Context
Reported short interest is relatively low, suggesting limited short-squeeze potential and generally lower volatility pressure from short covering or aggressive short positioning.
An effective S-3 shelf registers 107,706,700 shares for resale from a January 2026 financing; proceeds from any warrant exercises would go to the company, but resales themselves would not.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock surged +56.0% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with shareholder approval of a reverse split to address Nasdaq bid-price issues and visible progress in the TakeAim CLL trial with 11 sites active, though financing and dilution capacity remain key overhang risks.
Key Terms
reverse stock split financial
phase 2 medical
chronic lymphocytic leukemia medical
nf-kb medical
irak4 medical
flt3 medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Eleven sites open for patient enrollment in TakeAim CLL combination study with zanubrutinib; Company reaffirms guidance for dosing of initial five patients by end of July 2026 with data expected December 2026; Stockholders approve reverse stock split
TakeAim CLL Update
Eleven clinical sites are now open for enrollment in the TakeAim CLL study, reflecting strong investigator interest in the combination of emavusertib and zanubrutinib as a strategy to enable dual blockade of NF-kB, a key driver of CLL disease. The Company reaffirmed its expectations to announce the dosing of the initial five patients in the TakeAim CLL combination study with zanubrutinib by the end of July 2026, with data expected in December 2026.
"We are pleased with both our operational progress in the CLL study and the strong support from our shareholders as we work to regain compliance with the NASDAQ bid price listing requirement," said James Dentzer, President and CEO of Curis, "and we look forward to building on those successes in the weeks and months to come."
Special Meeting Vote Results
At the Company's special meeting of stockholders held on June 25, 2026, stockholders approved a proposal to amend the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of its issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio ranging from 1-for-5 to 1-for-25, in furtherance of the Company's regaining compliance with Nasdaq's
Additional information regarding the reverse stock split proposal can be found in the Company's definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2026, available at www.sec.gov and www.curis.com.
About the TakeAim CLL Study
The TakeAim CLL is an open label phase 2 study of emavusertib in combination with zanabrutinib in patients with CLL (CA-4948-203, NCT07271667). Participants in the study must be in a partial response (PR) or partial response with lymphocytosis (PR-L), measurable residual disease positive (MRD+) as determined by the ClonoSEQ assay and actively taking zanubrutinib for at least 12 months.
About Curis, Inc.
Curis is a biotechnology company focused on the development of emavusertib, an orally available, small molecule IRAK4 and FLT3 inhibitor. Emavusertib is currently being evaluated in the TakeAim Lymphoma Phase 1/2 study (CA-4948-101) of emavusertib in combination with the BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib, in patients with relapsed/refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and in the TakeAim CLL Phase 2 study (CA-4948-203) of emavusertib in combination with the BTK inhibitor, zanubrutinib, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The Company's monotherapy and combination studies in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are substantially complete, with additional funding the Company plans to continue development of emavusertib in AML. Emavusertib has received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of PCNSL, AML and MDS and from the European Commission for the treatment of PCNSL. Curis, through its 2015 collaboration with Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited, has the exclusive license to emavusertib (CA-4948). For more information, visit Curis's website at www.curis.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements concerning Curis's expectations with respect to regaining compliance with Nasdaq's bid price rule, the dosing of the first five patients in the TakeAim CLL study and the timing of initial data from such study. Forward-looking statements may contain the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "seeks," "estimates," "assumes," "predicts," "projects," "targets," "will," "may," "would," "could," "should," "likelihood", "continue," "potential," "opportunity," "focus," "strategy," "mission," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Curis may experience adverse results, delays and/or failures in its drug development programs and may not be able to successfully advance the development of its drug candidates in the time frames it projects, if at all. Curis's drug candidates may cause unexpected toxicities, fail to demonstrate sufficient safety and efficacy in clinical studies and/or may never achieve the requisite regulatory approvals needed for commercialization. Favorable results seen in preclinical studies and early clinical trials of Curis's drug candidates may not be replicated in later trials. Curis is dependent on the success of emavusertib and any delays in the development of emavusertib could have a material adverse effect on its business. There can be no guarantee that the collaboration agreement with Aurigene or the CRADA with NCI will continue for their full terms, that Curis or its collaborators will each maintain the financial and other resources necessary to continue financing its portion of the research, development and commercialization costs, or that the parties will successfully discover, develop or commercialize drug candidates under the collaboration. Curis will require substantial additional capital to fund its business. Based on its available cash resources, it does not have sufficient cash on hand to support current operations within the next 12 months from the date of this press release. Curis will require substantial additional funding to fund the development of emavusertib through regulatory approval and commercialization, and to support its continued operations. If it is not able to obtain sufficient funding, it will be forced to delay, reduce in scope or eliminate the development of emavusertib, including related clinical trials and operating expenses, potentially delaying the time to market for, or preventing the marketing of, emavusertib, which could adversely affect its business prospects and its ability to continue operations, and would have a negative impact on its financial condition and its ability to pursue its business strategies. Curis faces substantial competition. Curis and its collaborators face the risk of potential adverse decisions made by the FDA, EMA and other regulatory authorities, investigational review boards, and publication review bodies. Curis may not obtain or maintain necessary patent protection and could become involved in expensive and time-consuming patent litigation and interference proceedings. Unstable market and economic conditions, natural disasters, public health crises, political crises and other events outside of Curis's control, including its ability to regain and maintain its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, could significantly disrupt its operations or the operations of third parties on which Curis depends and could adversely impact Curis's operating results and its ability to raise capital. Other important factors that may cause or contribute to actual results being materially different from those indicated by forward-looking statements include the factors set forth under the captions "Risk Factor Summary" and "Risk Factors" in our most recent Form 10-K, and the factors that are discussed in other filings that Curis periodically makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent the views of Curis only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing Curis's views as of any subsequent date. Curis disclaims any intention or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
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SOURCE Curis, Inc.