/U P D A T E -- Nuvation Bio Inc./
Rhea-AI Summary
Nuvation Bio (NYSE: NUVB) reported pooled long-term results from TRUST-I and TRUST-II showing strong efficacy and manageable safety for IBTROZI (taletrectinib) in ROS1+ NSCLC. In TKI-naïve patients cORR was 89.8%, mDOR 49.7 months, and mPFS 46.1 months. Intracranial response was 76.5% in TKI-naïve patients. In TKI-pretreated patients cORR was 55.8% with mPFS 9.7 months and median OS 29.8 months. Safety remained manageable with 8.5% discontinuations and no new safety signals. Company noted FDA approval in June 2025 and EMA MAA validation in March 2026.
Positive
- cORR 89.8% in TKI-naïve ROS1+ patients
- mDOR 49.7 months in TKI-naïve patients
- mPFS 46.1 months in TKI-naïve patients
- Intracranial response 76.5% in TKI-naïve patients with brain metastases
- FDA approval for IBTROZI in June 2025 and EMA MAA validated March 2026
Negative
- cORR 55.8% in TKI-pretreated patients (lower efficacy)
- mPFS 9.7 months in TKI-pretreated patients
- 98% of TKI-pretreated patients enrolled after progression on entrectinib or crizotinib
In the news release, Nuvation Bio Announces IBTROZI® (Taletrectinib) Showed Highly Durable Responses in Longer-Term Follow-up Data from Pivotal Studies Presented at AACR 2026, issued April 21, 2026 by Nuvation Bio Inc. over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:
Nuvation Bio Announces IBTROZI® (Taletrectinib) Showed Highly Durable Responses in Longer-Term Follow-up Data from Pivotal Studies Presented at AACR 2026
Analysis of longer-term pooled data from TRUST-I and TRUST-II demonstrated nearly 50 months median duration of response and 46.1 months median progression-free survival in TKI-naïve patients
IBTROZI also demonstrated a high overall response rate in TKI-naïve patients at
Long-term pooled data highlighted in oral and poster presentations at AACR, and TRUST-I data simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, reinforce IBTROZI's manageable safety profile, with low rates of neurologic side effects and no new safety signals
IBTROZI demonstrated robust CNS activity, with an intracranial response rate of
Preclinical data presented at AACR showed taletrectinib's potential for suppressing TRKB-mediated lung cancer cell migration
"Achieving durable responses is a primary goal in treating ROS1-positive lung cancer. These extensive follow-up data with this next-generation ROS1 inhibitor show high rates of responses that last more than four years for many patients, and a median progression-free survival that's nearly just as long," stated Lyudmila Bazhenova, M.D., Medical Oncologist at UC San Diego Health, Professor of Medicine at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and investigator for the TRUST-II study. "Critically, the data demonstrated robust intracranial activity without the significant central nervous system toxicities that often limit the long-term use of other brain-penetrant therapies, and a favorable safety profile that allowed patients to stay on treatment and continue to benefit."
The new pooled analysis presented at AACR demonstrated robust efficacy with IBTROZI for both TKI-naïve and TKI-pretreated patients in TRUST-I and TRUST-II.
- For TKI-naïve patients (n=157): the analysis showed a cORR of
89.8% , a median DOR of 49.7 months, a median PFS of 46.1 months and an intracranial response rate of76.5% in patients with brain metastases (n=17). Median OS was not yet reached. - For TKI-pretreated patients (n=113): the analysis showed a cORR of
55.8% , a median DOR of 16.6 months, a median PFS of 9.7 months and an intracranial response rate of65.6% in patients with brain metastases (n=32). Median OS was 29.8 months. Notably,98% of TKI-pretreated patients (111/113) enrolled following progressive disease on entrectinib or crizotinib. The remaining two patients were enrolled following intolerance to a prior TKI.
A pooled safety analysis demonstrated a favorable and manageable safety profile for IBTROZI, consistent with its prescribing information. Adverse events (AEs) of clinical interest (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and dizziness) were generally low-grade and resolved quickly. Treatment discontinuations due to treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) were low (
In another poster session at AACR, new preclinical data showed that taletrectinib inhibited the migration of lung cancer cells, suggesting the ability of taletrectinib to reduce the invasive capacity of lung cancer cells based on its tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TRKB) inhibition profile. In mechanistic studies, taletrectinib reduced the expression of key markers associated with the epithelial to mesenchymal transition pathway. The data also suggested that TRKB-sparing agents may not reduce the migration of TRKB expressing lung cancer cells and may lack the potential CNS-protective effects of TRKB inhibition.
"Our objective was to redefine the standard of care for advanced ROS1-positive NSCLC, and we believe IBTROZI is delivering on that promise," said David Hung, M.D., Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvation Bio. "In these updated long-term clinical data presented at AACR and published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Oncology, IBTROZI demonstrated remarkable durability, underscored by the long mDOR and mPFS seen in ROS1+ TKI-naïve patients. And new preclinical data suggest that taletrectinib inhibits critical pathways that can lead to metastasis. When you combine these benefits with its favorable safety profile, you have a treatment that we believe addresses the disease from all angles."
Nuvation Bio announced in June 2025 that the
To review the publications, visit the Publications page of the Nuvation Bio website.
About ROS1+ NSCLC
Each year, more than one million people globally are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer. It is estimated that approximately
About IBTROZI
IBTROZI is an oral, potent, CNS-active, selective, next-generation ROS1 inhibitor therapy. On June 11, 2025, following Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designations for both TKI-naive and TKI-pretreated disease, the
About the TRUST Clinical Program
The TRUST clinical program comprises three registrational studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of IBTROZI. TRUST-I (NCT04395677) and TRUST-II (NCT04919811) are Phase 2 single-arm studies evaluating IBTROZI for the treatment of adults with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC in
IBTROZI is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR IBTROZI® (taletrectinib)
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hepatotoxicity: Hepatotoxicity, including drug-induced liver injury and fatal adverse reactions, can occur.
Increased AST or ALT each led to dose interruption in
Concurrent elevations in AST or ALT ≥3 times the ULN and total bilirubin ≥2 times the ULN, with normal alkaline phosphatase, occurred in
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Severe, life-threatening, or fatal ILD or pneumonitis can occur. ILD/pneumonitis occurred in
ILD/pneumonitis led to dose interruption in
QTc Interval Prolongation: QTc interval prolongation can occur, which can increase the risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes) or sudden death. IBTROZI prolongs the QTc interval in a concentration-dependent manner.
In patients who received IBTROZI and underwent at least one post baseline ECG, QTcF increase of >60 msec compared to baseline and QTcF >500 msec occurred in
Significant QTc interval prolongation may occur when IBTROZI is taken with food, strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors, and/or drugs with a known potential to prolong QTc. Administer IBTROZI on an empty stomach. Avoid concomitant use with strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors and/or drugs with a known potential to prolong QTc.
Hyperuricemia: Hyperuricemia can occur and was reported in
Myalgia with Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation: Myalgia with or without CPK elevation can occur. Myalgia occurred in
Concurrent myalgia with increased CPK within a 7-day time period occurred in
Skeletal Fractures: IBTROZI can increase the risk of fractures. ROS1 inhibitors as a class have been associated with skeletal fractures.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on literature, animal studies, and its mechanism of action, IBTROZI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Among patients who received IBTROZI, the most frequently reported adverse reactions (≥
The most frequently reported Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities (≥
DRUG INTERACTIONS
- Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors/CYP3A Inducers and Drugs that Prolong the QTc Interval: Avoid concomitant use.
- Gastric Acid Reducing Agents: Avoid concomitant use with PPIs and H2 receptor antagonists. If an acid-reducing agent cannot be avoided, administer locally acting antacids at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking IBTROZI.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- Pregnancy: Please see important information in Warnings and Precautions under Embryo-Fetal Toxicity.
- Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose.
- Effect on Fertility: Based on findings in animals, IBTROZI may impair fertility in males and females. The effects on animal fertility were reversible.
- Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of IBTROZI in pediatric patients has not been established.
- Photosensitivity: IBTROZI can cause photosensitivity. Advise patients to minimize sun exposure and to use sun protection, including broad-spectrum sunscreen, during treatment and for at least 5 days after discontinuation.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information.
About Nuvation Bio
Nuvation Bio is a global oncology company focused on tackling some of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment with the goal of developing therapies that create a profound, positive impact on patients' lives. Our diverse pipeline includes taletrectinib (IBTROZI®), a next-generation ROS1 inhibitor; safusidenib, a brain-penetrant IDH1 inhibitor; and an innovative drug-drug conjugate (DDC) program.
Nuvation Bio was founded in 2018 by biopharma industry veteran David Hung, M.D., who previously founded Medivation, Inc., which brought to patients one of the world's leading prostate cancer medicines. Nuvation Bio has offices in
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are sometimes accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook" and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding IBTROZI'S therapeutic potential, IBTROZI's potential to redefine standard of care for advanced ROS1+ NSCLC, and whether TRKB inhibition has CNS-protective effects in lung cancer. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the management team of Nuvation Bio and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the challenges associated with conducting drug discovery and commercialization, and initiating or conducting clinical studies due to, among other things, difficulties or delays in the regulatory process, enrolling subjects or manufacturing or acquiring necessary products; the emergence or worsening of adverse events or other undesirable side effects; risks associated with preliminary and interim data, which may not be representative of more mature data; physician and patient behavior; and competitive developments. Risks and uncertainties facing Nuvation Bio are described more fully in its Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2026 under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents that Nuvation Bio has filed or will file with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Nuvation Bio disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, supplement or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
Media and Investor Contacts
Nuvation Bio Investor Contact
JR DeVita
ir@nuvationbio.com
Nuvation Bio Media Contact
Kaitlyn Nealy
media@nuvationbio.com
Update: An earlier version of this release had an incorrect link for Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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