Company Description
Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT) is a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases. According to the company’s public disclosures, its research and development efforts center on targeted small‑molecule drugs designed to address specific oncogenic and hematologic driver mutations. Cogent Biosciences is based in Waltham, Massachusetts and Boulder, Colorado and is classified in the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing industry within the broader manufacturing sector.
The company’s most advanced clinical program is bezuclastinib, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Cogent states that bezuclastinib is designed to potently inhibit the KIT D816V mutation as well as other mutations in KIT exon 17. KIT D816V is described in the company’s materials as a key driver of systemic mastocytosis (SM), a serious disease caused by unchecked proliferation of mast cells. Exon 17 mutations are also reported in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a cancer type with strong dependence on oncogenic KIT signaling. These biological rationales underpin Cogent’s focus on KIT‑mutant diseases.
Bezuclastinib clinical focus
Cogent has conducted multiple registration‑directed pivotal trials of bezuclastinib in distinct patient populations. The SUMMIT trial evaluated bezuclastinib in patients with NonAdvanced Systemic Mastocytosis (NonAdvSM), including subgroups such as smoldering systemic mastocytosis and patients previously treated with avapritinib. Company reports describe SUMMIT Part 2 as demonstrating clinically meaningful and highly statistically significant improvements across its primary and key secondary endpoints, including patient‑reported symptoms and objective measures of mast cell burden such as serum tryptase, bone marrow mast cells and KIT D816V variant allele frequency.
The APEX trial is a registration‑directed, global, open‑label study in patients with Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis (AdvSM), including subtypes such as systemic mastocytosis with an associated hematologic neoplasm (SM‑AHN), aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM) and mast cell leukemia (MCL). Top‑line results disclosed by the company indicate that APEX Part 2 showed rapid and deep clinical benefit in AdvSM patients, with high objective response rates by consensus criteria and substantial reductions in mast cell burden and KIT D816V variant allele frequency, alongside a tolerability profile that the company characterizes as favorable.
In GIST, Cogent conducted the PEAK Phase 3 trial, a global, randomized study of bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib versus sunitinib monotherapy in patients with imatinib‑resistant or intolerant GIST. The company’s disclosures describe PEAK as meeting its primary endpoint of progression‑free survival with a statistically significant reduction in risk of disease progression or death for the bezuclastinib combination, as well as higher objective response rates compared with sunitinib alone. Safety data reported by Cogent indicate that the combination was generally well tolerated, with adverse events consistent with the known profile of sunitinib and manageable transaminase elevations associated with bezuclastinib.
Pipeline beyond bezuclastinib
Beyond bezuclastinib, Cogent describes an internal discovery and development pipeline of novel targeted therapies aimed at additional genetically defined targets. The company reports an ongoing Phase 1/2 study of a selective and potent FGFR2/3 inhibitor (also described in some disclosures as an FGFR2 inhibitor or FGFR2/3 inhibitor) in patients with alterations in FGFR2 or FGFR3. The Cogent Research Team is also developing candidates targeting ErbB2, PI3Kα, KRAS and JAK2, including a pan‑KRAS(ON) inhibitor (CGT1815) and a selective JAK2 V617F inhibitor (CGT1145) that the company has identified as potential future Investigational New Drug (IND) submissions. Additional early‑stage programs include a CNS‑penetrant, selective mutant ErbB2 inhibitor (CGT4255) and a selective PI3Kα inhibitor (CGT6297), both of which are being advanced through dose‑escalation studies according to company updates.
Cogent highlights an FGFR2/3 inhibitor program (CGT4859) in a Phase 1/2 study in patients with FGFR2 or FGFR3 alterations, reflecting its broader strategy of addressing genetically driven cancers and hematologic diseases where specific kinase mutations are central to disease biology. Across these programs, the company’s disclosures emphasize selectivity for mutant kinases and the goal of achieving meaningful clinical benefit while maintaining tolerability profiles that can support chronic or prolonged use where appropriate.
Regulatory and access initiatives
In systemic mastocytosis, Cogent reports that bezuclastinib has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in certain NonAdvSM populations, including patients previously treated with avapritinib and patients with smoldering systemic mastocytosis. The company has also described alignment with the FDA on a New Drug Application (NDA) submission plan for a broad NonAdvSM patient population following a pre‑NDA meeting.
Cogent has established Expanded Access Programs (EAPs) in the United States for patients with GIST or SM who meet disease‑specific criteria and may benefit from treatment with bezuclastinib or the combination of bezuclastinib and sunitinib. According to company statements, a growing number of investigational sites offer access to these EAPs, providing a mechanism for certain patients to receive investigational therapy outside of clinical trials.
Corporate and capital markets profile
Cogent Biosciences’ common stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol COGT, as reflected in its SEC filings. The company has utilized the public equity and debt markets to support its research, clinical development and anticipated commercialization activities. Recent filings describe underwritten public offerings of common stock and 1.625% convertible senior notes due 2031, issued under an indenture with U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association as trustee. These notes are general, unsecured, senior obligations of the company and include customary conversion, redemption, and event‑of‑default provisions, as detailed in the related 8‑K filings.
Cogent has also reported multiple equity offerings under automatic shelf registration statements, with proceeds earmarked for development and regulatory activities related to bezuclastinib and other product candidates, anticipated commercial launch and commercialization efforts, repayment of portions of an existing term loan facility, working capital and general corporate purposes. The company’s disclosures reference a strong cash position intended to fund operations, clinical programs and early commercial activities over a multiyear horizon.
Facilities and geographic footprint
Cogent’s SEC filings identify Waltham, Massachusetts as the location of its corporate headquarters, with a lease for office space at 180 CityPoint in Waltham intended to serve as its future headquarters. The company also notes operations in Boulder, Colorado. These locations support corporate, clinical, and research functions associated with its precision oncology and hematology programs.
Position within biotechnology and precision medicine
Within the biotechnology sector, Cogent positions itself as a developer of precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, with a particular emphasis on kinase‑driven conditions such as systemic mastocytosis and KIT‑mutant GIST. Its programs focus on molecularly targeted agents that are designed to inhibit specific mutant kinases, including KIT D816V, exon 17 KIT mutations, FGFR2/3 alterations, ErbB2 mutations, PI3Kα mutations, KRAS mutations and JAK2 V617F. By concentrating on these defined genetic drivers, the company aims to align clinical development with patient populations where the underlying biology is well characterized in its public materials.
Frequently asked questions about Cogent Biosciences (COGT)
- What does Cogent Biosciences do?
Cogent Biosciences is a biotechnology company that, according to its public statements, develops precision therapies for genetically defined diseases. Its work focuses on targeted small‑molecule drugs directed at specific kinase mutations implicated in systemic mastocytosis, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and other serious conditions. - What is bezuclastinib?
Bezuclastinib is Cogent’s most advanced clinical program. The company describes it as a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to potently inhibit the KIT D816V mutation and other mutations in KIT exon 17, which are associated with systemic mastocytosis and advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors. - Which diseases is Cogent targeting with bezuclastinib?
Company disclosures indicate that bezuclastinib is being developed for patients with systemic mastocytosis, including NonAdvanced Systemic Mastocytosis (NonAdvSM) and Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis (AdvSM), as well as for patients with imatinib‑resistant or intolerant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that depend on oncogenic KIT signaling. - What are SUMMIT, APEX and PEAK?
SUMMIT is a registration‑directed clinical trial of bezuclastinib in NonAdvSM patients. APEX is a registration‑directed, global, open‑label trial in AdvSM patients. PEAK is a global, randomized Phase 3 trial evaluating bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib versus sunitinib monotherapy in patients with imatinib‑resistant or intolerant GIST. Cogent has reported positive top‑line results from all three pivotal trials. - Does bezuclastinib have any FDA designations?
Yes. Cogent reports that bezuclastinib has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in certain NonAdvSM populations, including patients previously treated with avapritinib and patients with smoldering systemic mastocytosis. - What other targets is Cogent Biosciences pursuing?
In addition to KIT, the company states that it is developing a portfolio of novel targeted therapies against FGFR2/3, ErbB2, PI3Kα, KRAS and JAK2. Programs disclosed include a selective and potent FGFR2/3 inhibitor in Phase 1/2, a pan‑KRAS(ON) inhibitor (CGT1815), a selective JAK2 V617F inhibitor (CGT1145), a CNS‑penetrant mutant ErbB2 inhibitor (CGT4255) and a selective PI3Kα inhibitor (CGT6297). - Where is Cogent Biosciences headquartered?
According to its SEC filings and press releases, Cogent Biosciences is based in Waltham, Massachusetts, with its corporate headquarters in Waltham, and it also has operations in Boulder, Colorado. - On which exchange does COGT trade?
Cogent Biosciences’ common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol COGT, as indicated in its SEC filings. - Does Cogent offer expanded access to bezuclastinib?
Yes. The company states that it has established Expanded Access Programs in the United States for eligible patients with GIST or systemic mastocytosis who meet disease‑specific criteria and may benefit from treatment with bezuclastinib or bezuclastinib plus sunitinib. - How does Cogent fund its research and development?
Public filings describe Cogent’s use of underwritten public offerings of common stock and convertible senior notes, as well as at‑the‑market equity programs, to raise capital. The company has indicated that proceeds are used for clinical development, regulatory activities, anticipated commercialization of bezuclastinib, repayment of portions of existing debt, and general corporate purposes.