1. TERN-701 achieved 64% MMR in efficacy evaluable patients. 2. 75% MMR at doses >320mg QD; favorable safety profile maintained. 3. Accelerated study enrollment exceeds 85 patients; progress in pivotal studies. 4. Effective in refractory patients with prior TKI treatment failures. 5. Company to provide investor update following ASH presentation.
FAQ
Why Bullish?
Strong MMR rates and positive safety data suggest TERN-701's compelling therapeutic potential, driving investor interest.
How important is it?
The article presents significant clinical data supporting TERN-701, likely impacting TERN's future market performance.
Why Long Term?
Ongoing positive trial results and pending pivotal studies will continue to build investor and market confidence over time.
Terns Pharmaceuticals Reports Promising Clinical Data for TERN-701 in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Foster City, Calif., December 8, 2025 – Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: TERN), a clinical-stage oncology firm, has announced significant advancements in the ongoing CARDINAL trial for its innovative allosteric BCR::ABL1 inhibitor, TERN-701. The company presented updated results at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), highlighting a 64% major molecular response (MMR) rate among efficacy-evaluable patients at 24 weeks.
Key Trial Highlights
- 64% MMR achievement across all efficacy evaluable patients by 24 weeks.
- 75% MMR achievement for patients at doses greater than 320mg QD.
- Positive safety and tolerability profile maintained throughout the treatment duration.
Details from the ASH Presentation
The data, presented by Dr. Elias Jabbour from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, showcased the efficacy of TERN-701 in treating patients with relapsed or refractory chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Notably, the presentation confirmed that the previously reported MMR achievement rate stands firm in the expanded data set.
Amy Burroughs, CEO of Terns, expressed her excitement over the findings: “The accelerated enrollment rate, surpassing 85 patients, reaffirms our commitment to advancing TERN-701 through critical phases, including dose selection and the launch of pivotal studies.”
Notable Response Rates in Refractory Populations
Among the patients enrolled, particularly those who previously exhibited a lack of efficacy on established therapies such as asciminib and ponatinib, TERN-701 displayed outstanding MMR rates:
- 65% overall MMR in patients lacking efficacy from prior TKIs.
- 88% MMR in patients experiencing tolerability issues with prior TKIs.
- 60% MMR in patients who had received asciminib.
Moreover, a 36% deep molecular response (DMR) achievement rate by 24 weeks emphasizes the rapid response potential of TERN-701.
Encouraging Safety Profile
As of the latest cutoff date, a remarkable 87% of patients remained on treatment, with discontinuations largely attributed to disease progression or patient decision rather than adverse effects. Notably, no dose-limiting toxicities were reported, and the majority of adverse events were low grade.
The most frequently observed treatment-emergent adverse events included:
- Diarrhea: 21%
- Headache: 19%
- Nausea: 19%
Future Directions for TERN-701
Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to continue focusing on pivotal clinical development for TERN-701, recognizing the unmet need for therapies that can deliver deep, sustained responses while ensuring patient quality of life. Dr. Jabbour concluded, “Based on the data to date, TERN-701 represents a groundbreaking treatment option with the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients with CML.”
Conference Call Information
For investors, Terns will hold an update call and webcast today at 4:30 PM ET, following the ASH presentation. Interested parties are encouraged to join the discussion about TERN-701 and potential next steps for the development of this important therapy.