Bicycle Therapeutics Reports Recent Business Progress and First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Presentations at AACR Annual Meeting 2026 underscore significant opportunities for nuzefatide pevedotin in EphA2 expressing cancers, including pancreatic cancer
Human imaging data provides further evidence of the potential of EphA2 as a novel cancer target and the positive properties of Bicycle® radioligand molecules for radiopharmaceutical use
Initial dose selection data from Duravelo-2 trial evaluating zelenectide pevedotin plus pembrolizumab in metastatic urothelial cancer to be presented at 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting
Cash and cash equivalents of
“The data we reported in the first quarter continues to provide further validation of the potential of our Bicycle technology to deliver oncology therapeutics with improved benefit/risk profiles compared to existing modalities,” said Bicycle CEO
First Quarter 2026 and Recent Events
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Data presented at the
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 demonstrates significant opportunities for nuzefatide pevedotin (nuzefatide), formerly BT5528, a potentially first-in-class EphA2 targeting Bicycle® Drug Conjugate (BDC®), in EphA2 expressing cancers.-
Nuzefatide Phase 1/2 data show a differentiated safety profile in combination with nivolumab in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) patients as well as promising anti-tumor activity.As of the
February 9, 2026 data cutoff, results from the Phase 1/2 trial evaluating nuzefatide 6.5mg/m2 once every two weeks (Q2W) plus nivolumab 480mg once every four weeks (Q4W) in 14 patients with mUC who had previously progressed on a checkpoint inhibitor (10 while on enfortumab vedotin) showed:- 40% confirmed overall response rate (ORR) (4/10) among patients with EphA2+ tumors and 100% confirmed ORR (3/3) among patients with EphA2+ tumors that were monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE)-naïve.
- Patients who achieved a partial response (PR) or at least 16 weeks of stable disease (SD) were on treatment for a minimum of 56 weeks and most continued on treatment at the time of the data cut-off.
- Nuzefatide in combination with nivolumab was generally well tolerated with no Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of clinical interest and no TRAEs of hemorrhage observed. Only one dose-limiting toxicity of Grade 3 fatigue that lasted for five days was reported and improved to Grade 1 without dose reduction.
- Preclinical assessment of nuzefatide anti-tumor activity in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Expression of EphA2 was found in all 16 PDAC PDX models. Of the 14 PDAC PDX models assessed for anti-tumor activity, 10 models were sensitive to nuzefatide, six of which showed high sensitivity.
- Preclinical assessment of nuzefatide anti-tumor activity in cell-line-derived xenograft(CDX) models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Nuzefatide demonstrated potent preclinical anti-tumor activity in EphA2-expressing CDX models of HNSCC.
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Nuzefatide Phase 1/2 data show a differentiated safety profile in combination with nivolumab in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) patients as well as promising anti-tumor activity.As of the
Altogether,
In
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Additional human imaging data of a Bicycle® Imaging Agent (BIA) targeting EphA2 in patients with PDAC presented at AACR Annual Meeting 2026.
The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), part of a cooperative network with theGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), presented human imaging data conducted with a Bicycle molecule targeting EphA2 labelled with gallium-68 (EphA2 BIA). Seven patients with histologically confirmed PDAC underwent PET/CT imaging up to three hours post injection of the EphA2 BIA. Data demonstrated rapid tumor uptake in six out of seven patients with excretion primarily via the kidneys. EphA2 BIA PET imaging successfully detected multiple liver, bone, lymph node, and peritoneal metastases.
These data are representative of the results seen in 15 out of 18 patients with PDAC who have undergone EphA2 BIA imaging to date.
- Promising Duravelo-2 data and multiple potential regulatory pathways provide a range of options for a Phase 3 trial and potential commercialization of zelenectide pevedotin (zelenectide) in mUC. Initial dose selection data from the Duravelo-2 trial demonstrate response rates comparable to those published for existing standards of care, with physician assessed ORR of 65%, blinded independent central review (BICR) confirmed ORR of 58% at the 27-week cutoff and a differentiated safety profile. Subsequent to the 27-week cutoff, an additional confirmed BICR response was observed, which would result in an ORR of 62%. Zelenectide at 6mg/m2 two weeks on, one week off demonstrated a differentiated safety profile with only one patient discontinuing therapy due to a TRAE at the 27-week cutoff.
While
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Strategic reprioritization focuses on promising pipeline of next-generation therapeutics. In
March 2026 ,Bicycle Therapeutics initiated a strategic reprioritization in order to focus its resources on its promising pipeline of next-generationtherapeutics, including nuzefatide,as well as its emerging Bicycle conjugate pipeline, including BRCs. As part of the reprioritization,Bicycle Therapeutics seeks to discontinue the Phase 1/2 Duravelo-3 trial for zelenectide in NECTIN4-amplified breast cancer and the Phase 1/2 Duravelo-4 trial for zelenectide in NECTIN4-amplified non-small cell lung cancer. Enrollment for these trials is closed, and patients currently enrolled will complete their course of treatment. In addition,Bicycle Therapeutics announced a workforce reduction pursuant to which it expects to reduce its workforce by approximately 30%. Anticipated annual operational savings related to the workforce reduction and strategic reprioritization are expected to reduce annual operating expenses by approximately 50% based on the company’s current plans. These actions are expected to extend Bicycle Therapeutics’ cash runway by approximately two years, into 2030.
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
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Cash and cash equivalents were
$559.5 million as ofMarch 31, 2026 , compared to$628.1 million as ofDecember 31, 2025 . The decrease in cash and cash equivalents is primarily due to cash used in operations, including cash payments for clinical program activities. -
Collaboration revenue was
$0.9 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2026 , compared to$10.0 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2025 . The decrease in collaboration revenue of$9.1 million was primarily due to the termination of our collaboration programs withGenentech and Novartis. -
Research and development (R&D) expenses were
$48.9 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2026 , compared to$59.1 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2025 . The decrease in expense of$10.2 million was primarily due to decreased clinical program expenses for zelenectide and share-based compensation due to our workforce reduction, offset by lowerU.K. R&D tax credits period over period. -
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were
$17.5 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2026 , compared to$21.1 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2025 . The decrease in expense of$3.6 million was primarily due to decreased professional and consulting fees and decreased share-based compensation due to our workforce reduction. -
Net loss was
$60.8 million , or$(0.87) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the three months endedMarch 31, 2026 , compared to net loss of$60.8 million , or$(0.88) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the three months endedMarch 31, 2025 .
About
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “possible,” “potential,” “seeks,” “will” and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the potential therapeutic benefit of nuzefatide pevedotin, including the reproducibility and durability of any favorable results initially seen in patients dosed to date in clinical trials, and the potential development of nuzefatide pevedotin in a number of cancers, including pancreatic cancer; the progress of Bicycle Therapeutics’ clinical trials, reporting data from Bicycle Therapeutics’ clinical trials, including for nuzefatide pevedotin, the timing of EphA2 human imaging data and updates on future clinical development plans for nuzefatide pevedotin; the potential of EphA2 as a novel cancer target and the positive properties of Bicycle® radioligand molecules for radiopharmaceutical use; the development of the Bicycle® radioligands pipeline, including BRCs and BIAs; the potential benefits of Bicycle Therapeutics’ strategic reprioritization, including the potential extension of financial runway; the workforce reduction and its impact on Bicycle Therapeutics’ expenditures; communications with and feedback from the FDA and other regulatory agencies including the potential for multiple regulatory pathways for zelenectide pevedotin in mUC; the existence of a range of options for a Phase 3 trial and potential commercialization of zelenectide pevedotin in mUC; Bicycle Therapeutics’ expected financial runway; and the use of Bicycle Therapeutics’ technology through various partnerships to develop therapies for diseases in additional therapeutic areas.
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss |
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(In thousands, except share and per share data) |
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(Unaudited) |
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Three Months Ended |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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Collaboration revenue |
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$ |
887 |
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$ |
9,977 |
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Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
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48,901 |
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59,058 |
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General and administrative |
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17,468 |
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21,123 |
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Total operating expenses |
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66,369 |
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80,181 |
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Loss from operations |
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(65,482 |
) |
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(70,204 |
) |
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Other income (expense): |
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Interest and other income |
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4,877 |
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8,414 |
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Interest expense |
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(48 |
) |
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(51 |
) |
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Total other income, net |
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4,829 |
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8,363 |
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Net loss before income tax provision |
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(60,653 |
) |
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(61,841 |
) |
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Provision for (benefit from) income taxes |
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172 |
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(1,087 |
) |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(60,825 |
) |
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$ |
(60,764 |
) |
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Net loss per share, basic and diluted |
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$ |
(0.87 |
) |
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$ |
(0.88 |
) |
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Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
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69,683,471 |
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69,196,945 |
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Balance Sheets Data |
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(In thousands) |
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(Unaudited) |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
559,474 |
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$ |
628,110 |
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Working capital |
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570,246 |
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625,901 |
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Total assets |
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652,396 |
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717,597 |
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Total shareholders’ equity |
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554,320 |
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609,977 |
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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260430332492/en/
Investors:
ir@bicycletx.com
212-600-1902
Media:
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