Verastem's VS-7375 shows early promise in pancreatic cancer trial

Verastem Oncology shares rose 18% on October 14, 2026, after Phase 1/2 clinical data showed its experimental drug VS-7375 achieved a 50% confirmed response rate in second-line KRAS G12D-mutated pancreatic cancer patients. The selective dual ON/OFF inhibitor outperformed Revolution Medicines' recently approved Rasonque, which logged a 24% response in G12D subgroups. Verastem aligned with the FDA to launch a Phase 3 first-line pancreatic trial by late 2026 and announced a $250 million stock offering.

Phase 1/2 response rates for VS-7375

• ▪In the Phase 1/2 TARGET-D 101 trial of 295 patients, Verastem's VS-7375 achieved a 50% confirmed objective response rate in second-line pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients treated at a 900 mg daily dose.
• ▪In third-line colorectal cancer patients, Verastem's VS-7375 combined with anti-EGFR therapy demonstrated a 33% unconfirmed objective response rate in Phase 1/2 testing.
• ▪Verastem's VS-7375 achieved a 36% confirmed objective response rate in pancreatic cancer patients treated in third- and fourth-line settings during Phase 1/2 clinical testing.
• ▪In Phase 1/2 trial results, Verastem's VS-7375 demonstrated a 43% confirmed objective response rate in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated at a 600 mg dose in second-line settings or later.

KRAS G12D background and targeting

• ▪Verastem's VS-7375 is an oral inhibitor designed to target the KRAS G12D mutation by binding to both the active 'on' and inactive 'off' states of the protein.
• ▪KRAS G12D mutations account for over 25% of all KRAS mutations and represent the most prevalent KRAS mutation in pancreatic cancer (40%) and colorectal cancer (15%).
• ▪There are currently no FDA-approved therapies specifically targeting the KRAS G12D mutation in cancer.

Comparison with Revolution Medicines

• ▪Revolution Medicines won FDA approval for Rasonque in August 2026 based on pancreatic cancer results, while also developing zoldonrasib to specifically target G12D mutations.
• ▪Mizuho analysts stated that Rasonque's 24% response rate in G12D mutations reinforces the view that allele-specific agents like VS-7375 should precede pan-RAS therapies for G12D patients.
• ▪Revolution Medicines' approved pancreatic cancer drug Rasonque achieved a 24% objective response rate in the KRAS G12D mutation subgroup in FDA review documents, compared to 50% in G12V patients.

Market and analyst reaction

• ▪Verastem shares rose 18% on October 14, 2026, following the release of its early Phase 1/2 clinical trial data across three tumor types.
• ▪Verastem's pancreatic cancer trial results met or exceeded Wall Street analyst expectations, with RBC Capital Markets characterizing VS-7375 as showing a competitive profile.

Upcoming Phase 3 clinical trials

• ▪Verastem reached alignment with the FDA on a Phase 3 trial evaluating VS-7375 as a first-line treatment in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, set to begin by the end of 2026.
• ▪Verastem plans to initiate Phase 3 late-stage trials for VS-7375 in colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer in the first half of 2027.

VS-7375 safety profile

• ▪In Verastem's TARGET-D trial for VS-7375, the most common treatment-related adverse events at a 900 mg daily dose were low-grade nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• ▪In Verastem's TARGET-D trial for VS-7375, 2% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events, with serious treatment-related adverse events reported in 10% of participants.