Artelo Biosciences (ARTL) unveils interim Phase 2 CACS data, eyes licensing over Phase 3

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Artelo Biosciences, Inc. reported interim Phase 2 results from its Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS) evaluating ART27.13 for cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS), a condition that affects up to 80% of people living with cancer and currently has no FDA-approved treatment. In 18 evaluable patients, mainly with lung and gastrointestinal cancers, those titrated to the top daily dose of 1300 micrograms (n=5) showed a mean body weight increase of 6.38% over 12 weeks, while placebo patients (n=6) lost 5.42%. Maximum weight gain in the ART27.13 group reached 18.5% versus 0.4% on placebo, and additional gains in lean body mass and activity scores were observed. Among 32 enrolled participants, 22% experienced possibly treatment-related adverse events, mostly mild or moderate, with one severe malaise and no drug-related serious events, supporting an acceptable safety profile. The company does not plan to internally fund a Phase 3 trial and instead aims to pursue a licensing transaction for ART27.13.

Insights

Biotech and clinical-trials analyst

Artelo reports encouraging mid-stage CACS data and pivots ART27.13 toward partnering.

The interim CAReS results suggest ART27.13 may counteract cancer-related weight loss, with patients at the top 1300 microgram dose gaining an average 6.38% body weight over 12 weeks versus a 5.42% loss on placebo. Gains in lean body mass and activity scores indicate potential functional benefit beyond simple weight change in a population with lung and gastrointestinal cancers not on cyclic chemotherapy.

Safety appears manageable so far: among 32 participants, 22% had adverse events that may be related to ART27.13, largely mild or moderate, with one severe malaise and no drug-related serious adverse events. These findings are described as consistent with Phase 1, supporting an acceptable tolerability profile for a once-daily oral therapy in a frail population.

Strategically, management states it will not internally fund a Phase 3 trial and views a licensing transaction as the most value-accretive path for stockholders. This shifts future development dependence to potential pharmaceutical partners; actual value realization will hinge on whether such a transaction is reached and on full Phase 2 data beyond this interim snapshot.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 3, 2025

ARTELO BIOSCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada		001-38951		33-1220924
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

505 Lomas Santa Fe, Suite 160 Solana Beach, CA USA		92075
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (858) 925-7049

___________________________________________

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share		ARTL		The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01 Other Information

Announcement of Interim Phase 2 CAReS Results for the Treatment of Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome (CACS)

On September 3, 2025, Artelo Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) announced interim results from its Phase 2 Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS) trial with ART27.13, the Company’s peripherally acting cannabinoid receptor agonist for the treatment of cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS). Affecting up to 80% of people living with cancer, CACS is marked by loss of appetite, weight loss, and breakdown of muscle and fat. This leading cause of death in cancer patients has no FDA-approved treatment. The Company believes the CAReS interim data comparing ART27.13 to placebo supports acceleration of the Company’s partnering initiatives with its lead clinical program.

The Phase 2 CAReS study is evaluating ART27.13 as a once-daily oral treatment aimed at improving weight, appetite, activity, and quality of life in cancer patients who had lost a minimum of 5% of their body weight in the prior six months. Effectiveness was measured by changes in lean body mass, weight, appetite, and activity over 12 weeks and at a 30-day follow-up. Activity and quality of life were assessed using wearable monitors and standardized questionnaires, while safety was closely tracked through adverse event reporting, laboratory tests, vital signs, visual analogue scales, and ECGs.

In the interim analysis, 18 evaluable patients—primarily with lung and gastrointestinal cancers not receiving cyclic chemotherapy—were included. After 12 weeks of treatment in patients who titrated to the top dose evaluated of 1300 micrograms (n=5), ART27.13 demonstrated compelling increases in mean body weight of 6.38% (Standard Deviation or SD 9.50) compared to patients on placebo (n=6) who lost -5.42% (SD 8.17). The maximum weight gain in the ART27.13 group reached 18.5%, versus only 0.4% in placebo. The maximum weight loss in the placebo arm was -17.4%, compared to just -3.0% in the ART27.13 group. Additional benefits were seen in lean body mass, with a +4.23% increase (SD 5.37) in the treatment group versus a -3.15% loss (SD 4.89) in placebo at one month, as well as qualitative improvements in total and weekly activity scores.

Safety results were consistent with prior findings. Among the 32 participants enrolled in the CAReS Phase 2 trial to date, 7 patients (22%) experienced adverse events that may be related to ART27.13. All were mild or moderate, with the exception of a single case of severe malaise, and no drug-related serious adverse events were reported. These data are aligned with safety outcomes observed in Phase 1 of CAReS, supporting ART27.13’s overall favorable tolerability and acceptable safety profile.

As a result of these discussions and the supportive clinical profile of ART27.13, the Company does not plan to internally fund a Phase 3 trial and believes a licensing transaction represents the most value-accretive path forward for stockholders.

Forward Looking Statements

This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended, including those relating to the Company’s product development, including future plans in respect to ART27.13, potential transactions with pharmaceutical companies or other strategic counterparties in respect of ART27.13, clinical and regulatory timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statement that are predictive in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management’s current beliefs and assumptions. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events or our financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include those set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our ability to raise additional capital in the future. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ARTELO BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Date: September 3, 2025	/s/ Gregory D. Gorgas
	Gregory D. Gorgas
	President & Chief Executive Officer

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FAQ

What did Artelo Biosciences (ARTL) announce in this 8-K?

Artelo Biosciences announced interim Phase 2 CAReS trial results for ART27.13, an oral cannabinoid receptor agonist being studied to treat cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome, and outlined its intention to seek a licensing transaction instead of internally funding a Phase 3 trial.

How did ART27.13 perform on body weight in Artelo Biosciences' CAReS study?

In the interim analysis, patients who titrated to the top daily dose of 1300 micrograms of ART27.13 (n=5) showed a mean body weight increase of 6.38%, while placebo patients (n=6) lost 5.42% over 12 weeks, with maximum weight gain of 18.5% on ART27.13 versus 0.4% on placebo.

What were the safety results for ART27.13 reported by Artelo Biosciences (ARTL)?

Among 32 participants enrolled in the Phase 2 CAReS trial, 7 patients (22%) experienced adverse events that may be related to ART27.13; most were mild or moderate, there was one case of severe malaise, and no drug-related serious adverse events were reported, which the company states aligns with Phase 1 safety findings.

How is Artelo Biosciences changing its development plans for ART27.13?

Based on the interim CAReS data and ongoing discussions, Artelo Biosciences states that it does not plan to internally fund a Phase 3 trial of ART27.13 and believes a licensing transaction with a pharmaceutical or strategic partner is the most value-accretive path for stockholders.

What condition is Artelo Biosciences targeting with ART27.13 in the CAReS trial?

ART27.13 is being developed for cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome, which Artelo notes affects up to 80% of people living with cancer, is characterized by loss of appetite, weight loss, and breakdown of muscle and fat, and currently has no FDA-approved treatments.

How was effectiveness of ART27.13 measured in Artelo Biosciences' CAReS Phase 2 trial?

Effectiveness was assessed over 12 weeks and at a 30-day follow-up using changes in lean body mass, weight, appetite, and activity, with activity and quality of life evaluated via wearable monitors and standardized questionnaires, alongside detailed safety monitoring.