Cyclacel Pharma Stock Price, News & Analysis

Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYCC) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cancer medicines. According to the company’s public disclosures, Cyclacel develops drug candidates based on cell cycle, epigenetics, transcriptional regulation and mitosis biology, with an emphasis on oncology and hematology indications. The company’s shares of common stock trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol CYCC, and it has also referenced a preferred stock listing under CYCCP.

Business focus and development strategy

Cyclacel describes itself as a clinical-stage company, meaning its lead candidates are in human studies rather than commercial use. Across multiple press releases, Cyclacel states that its strategy is to build a diversified biopharmaceutical business based on a pipeline of novel drug candidates addressing cancer in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The company has highlighted programs grounded in cell cycle control, transcriptional regulation and mitosis, reflecting a focus on mechanisms that govern how cancer cells divide and survive.

A central element of this strategy is the development of plogosertib (formerly CYC140), which Cyclacel repeatedly identifies as a PLK1 (Polo-like kinase 1) inhibitor. The company’s disclosures state that plogosertib is being evaluated in patients with solid tumors and hematological malignancies, and that it is part of an epigenetic/anti-mitotic or transcriptional regulation program depending on the specific release. Cyclacel has reported work on an alternative salt, oral formulation of plogosertib with the goal of improved bioavailability.

Plogosertib and PLK1 biology

In multiple news releases, Cyclacel provides detailed background on PLK1 and plogosertib. PLK1 is described as a serine/threonine kinase that plays a central role in cell division or mitosis, including the DNA damage cell cycle checkpoint, mitotic entry and exit, spindle formation and cytokinesis. The company’s materials note that cancer cells, particularly those with KRAS mutations or p53 loss, are very sensitive to PLK1 depletion, while normal cells with intact cell cycle checkpoints are less sensitive.

Cyclacel states that pharmacological inhibition of PLK1 in cancer cells can block proliferation by inducing prolonged mitotic arrest and triggering apoptotic cell death. Plogosertib is described as a novel, small molecule, selective and potent PLK1 inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy in human tumor xenograft models at nontoxic doses. The company also reports that its translational biology program supports development of plogosertib in solid tumors and leukemias, and cites preclinical data from independent groups suggesting that certain ARID1A- and/or SMARCA-mutated cancers, cancers with DNAJ-PKAc fusions, and KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer may be sensitive to PLK1 inhibition.

According to Cyclacel’s disclosures, initial dose escalation data from a Phase 1 clinical study of oral plogosertib suggest that the compound was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicity observed in five dosing schedules. Clinical benefit was observed in patients with adenoid cystic, biliary tract, ovarian and squamous cell sinus cancers in this early-stage setting.

Focus on specific cancer indications

Cyclacel has highlighted external preclinical work that relates plogosertib to hard-to-treat cancers. One news release discusses biliary tract cancer (BTC), also called cholangiocarcinoma, describing it as an aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. The company cites an independent study titled “Evaluation of antitumor effects of plogosertib, PLK1 inhibitor in biliary tract cancer with BUBR1 as a potential biomarker,” which reported that several BTC cell lines were sensitive to plogosertib as monotherapy and in combinations. The study found that plogosertib promoted mitotic checkpoint complex formation in prometaphase, inducing mitotic arrest and apoptosis in BTC cells, and identified BUBR1 expression as a potential biomarker of sensitivity.

Another Cyclacel release highlights a publication on fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC), a rare liver cancer that mainly affects adolescents and young adults and has no approved treatment. The cited study, “DNAJ-PKAc fusion heightens PLK1 inhibitor sensitivity in fibrolamellar carcinoma,” reported that DNAJ-PKAc, a fusion oncoprotein known to drive FLC progression, makes the cancer sensitive to plogosertib. The researchers found that PLK1 is essential for FLC cells and that pharmacologic inhibition with plogosertib significantly reduced FLC growth while sparing normal liver cells in preclinical models.

Pipeline evolution and corporate structure changes

Cyclacel has reported changes in its development priorities and corporate structure. In a business update, the company stated that, as part of efforts to reduce operating costs, it determined to focus on the plogosertib clinical program only. On March 10, 2025, Cyclacel repurchased certain assets related to plogosertib from its UK subsidiary, Cyclacel Limited, to continue work on an alternative oral formulation.

The same update notes that Cyclacel Limited’s other drug development program, fadraciclib, is being marketed for sale by that entity’s liquidator in the United Kingdom, following a creditors’ voluntary liquidation of Cyclacel Limited announced in the London Gazette. Upon commencement of the liquidation, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported that it lost operational and strategic control over Cyclacel Limited and deconsolidated that subsidiary from its financial statements, recording a gain on deconsolidation and an increase in stockholders’ equity.

Capital markets activity and Nasdaq listing

Cyclacel has described several capital markets and listing-related events. The company disclosed that it received a Nasdaq notice in December 2024 regarding non-compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, and later reported that it had regained compliance after its closing bid price met the $1.00 threshold for the required period. Cyclacel has also announced reverse stock splits of its common stock, including a 1-for-16 split effective May 12, 2025, and a 1-for-15 split effective July 7, 2025, with trading continuing on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the CYCC symbol.

In June 2025, Cyclacel reported entering into a securities purchase agreement for the sale of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock in a private placement to accredited investors, with associated series A, B and C common stock purchase warrants. The company stated that net proceeds would be used for working capital and general corporate purposes and that, based on its operating assumptions at that time, the financing together with existing cash was expected to extend its cash runway for a limited period.

Strategic alternatives and proposed exchange transaction

Cyclacel has acknowledged a challenging funding environment and stated that, due to its lack of funding to implement its business plan, it began analyzing strategic alternatives to continue as a going concern. The company disclosed that these alternatives include raising additional debt or equity financing or consummating a merger or acquisition that could involve a change in its business plan.

As part of this process, Cyclacel entered into an Exchange Agreement with FITTERS Diversified Berhad, a Malaysian investment holding company, to acquire FITTERS’ wholly owned subsidiary, Fitters Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysia-based private limited company specializing in protective and fire safety equipment and systems. Under the Exchange Agreement and subsequent amendment, all ordinary shares of Fitters Sdn. Bhd. are to be exchanged for Cyclacel common stock representing approximately 19.99% of the issued and outstanding shares at closing, with an additional cash consideration amount specified in the amendment. Following closing, Fitters Sdn. Bhd. is expected to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Cyclacel, subject to approvals and conditions described by the company.

Dividend and preferred stock

Cyclacel has reported that its Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends on the company’s 6% Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock, with specific per-share amounts and payment dates disclosed in its news releases. These dividends were paid to holders of record as of stated record dates. The company has also noted that holders of certain preferred stock issued in private placements are entitled to participate in any dividends made on common stock on an as-converted basis if and when such dividends are declared.

Geographic footprint and historical context

Public information indicates that Cyclacel’s operations have included activities in the United States and the United Kingdom. The liquidation of Cyclacel Limited, a UK subsidiary, ended the company’s eligibility for United Kingdom research and development tax credits, which had previously contributed to its reported results. Earlier third-party descriptions have referenced Cyclacel Limited as a pharmaceuticals company located in London, United Kingdom, reflecting the historical presence of the group in that market.

Risk considerations

Across its forward-looking statements, Cyclacel emphasizes risks typical of clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies, including the possibility that product candidates that appear promising in early research and clinical trials may not demonstrate safety or efficacy in larger or later-stage trials, potential difficulties in trial enrollment, reliance on external financing, dependence on collaborators for development and commercialization, and the need to maintain compliance with stock exchange listing requirements. The company also notes uncertainties related to proposed transactions, such as the Exchange Agreement with FITTERS Diversified Berhad, including the need for shareholder and regulatory approvals and the risk that anticipated benefits of such a transaction may not be realized.

How investors use information about Cyclacel

Investors researching CYCC commonly review Cyclacel’s disclosures about its clinical-stage pipeline, particularly plogosertib and its PLK1 inhibition approach, as well as the company’s descriptions of strategic alternatives, proposed corporate transactions and capital structure changes. Because Cyclacel is not yet a commercial-stage company based on the available information, attention often focuses on clinical data, preclinical publications cited by the company, and its ability to secure financing and maintain exchange listing standards.