iTeos and GSK terminate belrestotug program after GALAXIES Lung-201 results fail to show significant progression-free survival improvements.
Quiver AI Summary
iTeos Therapeutics announced that the GALAXIES Lung-201 Phase 2 trial, assessing the combination of belrestotug and dostarlimab for lung cancer, did not meet the criteria for clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival, leading iTeos and GSK to terminate the belrestotug development program. Although the study showed improvements in the objective response rate, results were insufficient for further continuation, prompting the decision to end all belrestotug cohorts and halt new enrollment in the ongoing Phase 3 trial. iTeos is now reviewing strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value and has engaged TD Cowen for advice. CEO Michel Detheux expressed disappointment in the findings and emphasized the company's commitment to exploring opportunities while safeguarding shareholder interests.
Potential Positives
- iTeos has a strong balance sheet, positioning the company well to pursue strategic alternatives and maximize shareholder value despite the termination of the belrestotug program.
- The company is committed to transparency and scientific advancement by planning to share the study results with the scientific community at an upcoming medical meeting.
- iTeos' leadership emphasizes a disciplined approach to execution and capital preservation, reflecting a proactive management strategy in light of the development program's cessation.
Potential Negatives
- GALAXIES Lung-201 did not meet established criteria for clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival, indicating potential limitations in the belrestotug + dostarlimab combination therapy.
- iTeos and GSK have decided to terminate the belrestotug development program, which could signal a major setback for the company's research efforts.
- The decision to terminate all belrestotug-containing cohorts and end new enrollment in the ongoing GALAXIES Lung-301 Phase 3 trial may negatively impact the company’s future pipeline and investor confidence.
FAQ
What were the results of the GALAXIES Lung-201 study?
The study did not show clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival, despite positive objective response rate results.
Why was the belrestotug development program terminated?
iTeos and GSK mutually decided to terminate the program due to the overall study results not meeting established criteria.
What is iTeos Therapeutics' next step after terminating belrestotug?
iTeos is reviewing strategic alternatives to preserve and maximize shareholder value and has engaged TD Cowen for assistance.
What does belrestotug target in cancer treatment?
Belrestotug targets the TIGIT receptor, aiming to enhance the immune response against cancer through immune modulation.
Where is iTeos Therapeutics based?
iTeos Therapeutics is headquartered in Watertown, MA, with a research center located in Gosselies, Belgium.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$ITOS Insider Trading Activity
$ITOS insiders have traded $ITOS stock on the open market 1 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 1 have been purchases and 0 have been sales.
Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $ITOS stock by insiders over the last 6 months:
- MATTHEW GALL (Chief Financial Officer) purchased 5,000 shares for an estimated $38,635
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$ITOS Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 66 institutional investors add shares of $ITOS stock to their portfolio, and 87 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- BVF INC/IL added 2,325,000 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $17,856,000
- TANG CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC removed 2,186,084 shares (-90.8%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $16,789,125
- ECOR1 CAPITAL, LLC removed 1,608,616 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $12,354,170
- RA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P. removed 1,092,452 shares (-34.3%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $8,390,031
- CITIGROUP INC removed 834,597 shares (-97.8%) from their portfolio in Q1 2025, for an estimated $4,982,544
- CANDRIAM S.C.A. removed 769,213 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $5,907,555
- JACOBS LEVY EQUITY MANAGEMENT, INC added 716,271 shares (+347.9%) to their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $5,500,961
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
Full Release
– GALAXIES Lung-201 did not meet established criteria for clinically meaningful improvements in progression free survival
– Based on totality of data, iTeos and GSK have agreed to terminate the belrestotug development program
– iTeos has initiated a targeted review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value
WATERTOWN, Mass. and GOSSELIES, Belgium, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iTeos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ITOS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of a new generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics for patients, today reported topline results from an updated interim analysis of GALAXIES Lung-201, the Phase 2 platform study sponsored by iTeos’ development partner GSK assessing the belrestotug + dostarlimab doublet in previously untreated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic PD-L1 high non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
The GALAXIES Lung-201 data continued to demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements in the trial’s primary endpoint of objective response rate (ORR), however the analysis did not meet established criteria for clinically meaningful improvements in the secondary endpoint of progression free survival in the belrestotug + dostarlimab combination cohorts versus dostarlimab monotherapy. Additionally, an interim analysis of the GALAXIES H&N-202 Phase 2 trial showed a trend below the meaningful threshold for ORR in the belrestotug combination cohorts vs. dostarlimab monotherapy in PD-L1 positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Based on these results, iTeos and GSK have made the decision to terminate the belrestotug development program and end the collaboration. All belrestotug-containing cohorts are ending, and any new enrollment in the ongoing GALAXIES Lung-301 Phase 3 trial is ending. GSK is communicating with investigators, institutional review boards, ethics committees, and health authorities about next steps for appropriate management of currently enrolled patients. The Company is taking immediate steps to preserve capital and has initiated a targeted process to identify opportunities that preserve and maximize shareholder value. iTeos has engaged TD Cowen to advise on this process.
“We are truly disappointed by the results from GALAXIES Lung-201,” said Michel Detheux, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of iTeos. “Following the analysis of the TIGIT data generated to-date with GSK, we have made the mutual decision to discontinue development of all ongoing TIGIT studies. We are grateful to all patients, caregivers, and investigators involved in the GALAXIES studies and believe it is important to share these data with the scientific community at an upcoming medical meeting in order to advance our collective understanding of immuno-oncology and TIGIT.”
“Since founding this company over a decade ago, I could not be prouder of the team we have built, the quality of science produced, and our collective commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients in need. However, given current market conditions and our appreciation of the responsibility to our valued shareholders, we believe the best path forward is to promptly evaluate a full range of strategic alternatives to unlock the value of our assets. With a strong balance sheet and a commitment to disciplined execution, we are well positioned to pursue opportunities that maximize shareholder value,” continued Dr. Detheux.
About iTeos Therapeutics, Inc.
iTeos Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of a new generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics for patients. iTeos Therapeutics leverages its deep understanding of tumor immunology and immunosuppressive pathways to design novel product candidates with the potential to restore the immune response against cancer. iTeos Therapeutics is headquartered in Watertown, MA with a research center in Gosselies, Belgium.
About Belrestotug (EOS-448/
GSK4428859A)
Belrestotug is an Fc active human immunoglobulin G1, or IgG1, monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domains (TIGIT), an important inhibitory receptor which contributes to the suppression of adaptive and innate immune responses against cancer. As an optimized high-affinity, potent anti-TIGIT mAb, belrestotug is designed to enhance the antitumor response through a multifaceted immune modulatory mechanism by engaging with TIGIT and FcγR, a key regulator of immune responses which induces cytokine release and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not solely statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “prepare,” “look,” “potential,” “possible” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to iTeos’ steps to preserve capital and review and identify opportunities to maximize shareholder value.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond iTeos’ control. Actual results could materially differ from those stated or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties. Known risk factors include the following: risks relating to volatility and uncertainty in the capital markets for biotechnology companies; whether iTeos will be able to identify opportunities to maximize shareholder value and whether iTeos will be able to execute on such opportunities on attractive terms or timing, or at all; whether any capital preservation strategies undertaken will be effective; and those risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in iTeos’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as other SEC filings made by iTeos which you are encouraged to review.
Any of the foregoing risks could materially and adversely affect iTeos’ business, results of operations and the trading price of iTeos’ common stock. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. iTeos does not undertake any obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements other than as required by law.