Verastem rises as combo therapy shows early benefit in pancreatic cancer
17/06/2026 12:36
BUZZ-Verastem rises as combo therapy shows early benefit in pancreatic cancer ** Shares of biotech firm Verastem Oncology VSTM.O rise 4.9% to $4.21 premarket
** Co says combo of avutometinib, a targeted cancer therapy, and defactinib, a drug blocking tumor support signals, showed encouraging early results in pancreatic cancer, a fast‑spreading and hard‑to‑treat disease
** Says study in 29 newly diagnosed patients showed 86% alive at six months and 68% with no disease worsening
** Says 52% saw tumors shrink; nine patients remain on treatment
** Says side effects consistent with earlier studies; no new safety issues reported
** Plans further development targeting KRAS mutations, a key driver of the disease
** As of last close, stock down ~48% YTD
(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru)