Lisata Therapeutics, Inc.‘s lead pipeline candidate, certepetide (formerly LSTA1), sets the stage for treating a variety of solid tumors.
Just recently, the company unveiled promising data from a preclinical study on certepetide in battling intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a severe form of cancer with poor survival rates.
The study results showcased enhanced survival in mice with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma when treated with certepetide in addition to standard-of-care chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Certepetide, an investigational drug candidate, facilitates better penetration of co-administered anti-cancer drugs into solid tumors by activating a unique uptake pathway. It also shows promise in enhancing the tumor environment for increased responsiveness to immunotherapy.
Currently, the phase IIa BOLSTER study is investigating certepetide alongside standard-of-care chemotherapy as a primary treatment for cholangiocarcinoma.
This encouraging preclinical data highlights certepetide’s potential in treating human patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
As a result, Lisata is eyeing an expansion of the BOLSTER study, examining certepetide combined with chemoimmunotherapy for treating intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Lisata’s shares have soared 33.7% YTD, surpassing the industry’s 2.7% decline.
Certepetide is currently under evaluation in various early-to-mid-stage studies as a combination therapy with different anti-cancer regimens for treating multiple cancer types, including metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
In April, the FDA granted Orphan Drug designation to certepetide for treating osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Additionally, a Rare Pediatric Disease Designation was granted in March for the same indication.
Previously, the FDA awarded Orphan Drug designation to certepetide for pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), along with a Fast Track designation for pancreatic cancer.
Certepetide is also undergoing assessments for additional cancers such as pancreatic, esophageal, head and neck, appendiceal, and colon cancers, as well as GBM.
Anticipated clinical data readouts from ongoing certepetide studies in the upcoming months could significantly enhance the company’s growth projections.
Sustained progress in ongoing studies and successful certepetide development should maintain Lisata’s positive momentum through the end of 2024.
Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. Price
Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. price | Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. Quote
Evaluating Zacks Rank & Noteworthy Stocks
Currently sporting a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), Lisata is a company to monitor amidst its prevailing growth trajectory.
In the biotech sector, other prominent stocks include ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation, and RAPT Therapeutics, Inc., each holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Recent estimations suggest favorable prospects for ANI Pharmaceuticals, with an improved earnings outlook for 2024 and 2025, leading to a 14.7% YTD stock surge.
Adaptive Biotechnologies’ estimates for 2024 depict narrowed loss per share figures, while RAPT Therapeutics sees reductions in loss per share estimates for 2024 and 2025. However, both companies have experienced contrasting stock performances YTD.
Notably, while ANI Pharmaceuticals has consistently outpaced earnings estimates in the last four quarters, Adaptive Biotechnologies and RAPT Therapeutics have shown mixed results in their earnings performances.