Lisata Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:LSTA) said on Thursday it is making steady progress in advancing its pipeline of oncology drug candidates, with several key clinical trial readouts anticipated through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.
The company reaffirmed its financial runway into the fourth quarter of next year, positioning it to continue developing certepetide, its lead investigational therapy for advanced solid tumors.
“All of our activities are to support our core mission of exploiting the broad applicability of certepetide across a variety of advanced solid tumors and other difficult-to-treat indications,” said CEO David Mazzo.
Certepetide, Lisata’s proprietary peptide therapy designed to enhance the delivery and efficacy of anti-cancer drugs, is currently being tested in a range of global clinical trials targeting hard-to-treat cancers including pancreatic, cholangiocarcinoma, glioblastoma, and colon cancer. The company expects final data from multiple studies over the coming quarters.
Preliminary results from the Phase 2b ASCEND trial showed promising improvements in both progression-free and overall survival in pancreatic cancer patients receiving certepetide alongside standard chemotherapy. Full results from both ASCEND cohorts are expected later this year.
In cholangiocarcinoma, Lisata’s BOLSTER trial achieved first-line patient enrollment ahead of schedule, accelerating topline data timing to the fourth quarter of 2025. A second-line cohort is also nearing completion.
Additional trials, including the investigator-led CENDIFOX study and the iLSTA trial evaluating certepetide with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, are expected to provide more insights in the coming months. Final iLSTA data are anticipated in early 2026.
Lisata also continues to benefit from its global partnerships. Qilu Pharmaceutical, its licensee in Greater China, is set to report Phase 2 data that could trigger a $10 million milestone payment if the program advances to Phase 3.
Financially, Lisata reported a smaller net loss for the second quarter at $4.7 million, down from $5 million a year earlier, supported by lower R&D and administrative costs. With $22 million in cash and equivalents as of June 30, the company said it remains funded through all ongoing clinical milestones.
A newly issued US patent extending protection for certepetide through 2040 further strengthens Lisata’s intellectual property portfolio as it explores expanded indications and combination strategies, including collaborations with Catalent and GATC Health.