Terns Pharmaceuticals(TERN)2025-05-07 19:30Summary of Terns Pharmaceuticals (TERN) Conference Call Company Overview - Company: Terns Pharmaceuticals (TERN) - Date of Conference: May 07, 2025 - Key Speakers: Scott Harris (Chief Development Officer), Andrew Gragos (Chief Financial Officer) Key Points on Oncology and CML - Unmet Need in CML: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) treatment has evolved since the introduction of Gleevec in 2001, but there remains a need for improved efficacy and safety in treatments [6][7] - Introduction of TURN701: TURN701 is positioned as a potential best-in-class allosteric TKI for CML, showing preclinical potency greater than Novartis' Osimhenib and improved pharmacokinetics [8][12] - Safety and Tolerability: TURN701 has demonstrated no dose-limiting toxicities in trials, lacks significant drug-drug interactions, and is not an inhibitor of CYP3A4, which is crucial for patient safety [10][11] - Patient Convenience: TURN701 is a once-daily medication with no clinically meaningful food effect, contrasting with Osimhenib, which requires fasting [11][12] - Switching Rates: Up to 50% of patients on active site TKIs switch treatments within the first year, primarily due to suboptimal response or tolerability issues [14][15] - Early Clinical Data: In a phase one study, a 50% cumulative Major Molecular Response (MMR) rate was observed at three months among evaluable patients, with no significant adverse effects reported [17][18][22] Key Points on TURN601 (Oral GLP-1) - Overview of TURN601: An orally available GLP-1 receptor agonist, with initial studies showing weight loss of up to 5.5% at the highest dose over 28 days [28][35] - Tolerability Profile: TURN601 is designed to have a favorable tolerability profile, with rapid absorption and less central nervous system liability [30][31] - Comparison with Competitors: The discontinuation of Pfizer's Donluplin does not pose a direct risk to TURN601, as it has distinct pharmaceutical properties [32][33] - Ongoing Studies: A twelve-week study is currently enrolling, with expectations for data release in Q4 2025 [28][44] - Market Positioning: The company aims to establish partnerships for TURN601, given the high costs associated with obesity drug development [47][48] Additional Insights - Market Dynamics: The presence of multiple players in the obesity market is seen as beneficial for patient access and treatment options [52][53] - Patient Segmentation: There is a shift in focus towards gradual weight loss and tolerability, appealing to a broader patient population [58][59] - Future Directions: The company is optimistic about the potential for TURN701 and TURN601 to establish themselves in their respective markets, with ongoing studies and data expected to support their claims [54][56]