• 413 patients enrolled in PEAK Phase 3 GIST trial, exceeding enrollment target; top-line results expected by end of 2025
  
• PEAK interim futility analysis completed with no changes to study
• Registration-directed SUMMIT trial in NonAdvanced Systemic Mastocytosis (NonAdvSM) now on track to complete enrollment in Q1 2025; top-line results expected 2H 2025  

WALTHAM, Mass. and BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT), a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, today provided several updates from the company’s ongoing registration-directed clinical trials of its potential best-in-class KIT mutant inhibitor, bezuclastinib.

Patient enrollment is now complete in Cogent’s Phase 3 PEAK trial evaluating bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Based on strong global patient interest, a total of 413 patients were enrolled in the study. In addition, Cogent recently completed a pre-planned interim futility analysis, and the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) recommended continuing the PEAK study without modification. This pre-specified analysis was based on an assessment of progression-free survival (PFS) as determined by independent central review and did not include the option for early stopping due to efficacy. 

Separately, based on significant patient interest in the ongoing SUMMIT trial in nonadvanced systemic mastocytosis (NonAdvSM), Cogent also announced today that it expects to complete enrollment in this study during Q1 2025, approximately three months earlier than originally projected.

“We are excited to announce these important updates to the PEAK and SUMMIT studies today,” said Andrew Robbins, Cogent’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Strong continued interest from patients around the world to participate in our bezuclastinib trials has allowed us to accelerate development and surpass our original enrollment timelines. Completing enrollment in our Phase 3 PEAK trial of bezuclastinib and sunitinib for second-line GIST patients several months ahead of schedule represents a significant milestone for the program and we are extremely grateful to the patients, families, caregivers, advocacy groups and clinical investigators for their participation in, and support of, the PEAK trial.”  

PEAK is a randomized, open-label, global Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib vs. sunitinib alone in GIST patients previously treated with imatinib. The primary endpoint of the trial is median progression free survival (mPFS). PEAK is a registration study intended to support a New Drug Application (NDA) in GIST.  

SUMMIT is a randomized, blinded, global, registration-directed clinical trial evaluating bezuclastinib vs. placebo in NonAdvSM patients. The primary endpoint of the trial is mean improvement in patient symptoms measured at 24 weeks. SUMMIT is intended to be a registrational study designed to support a New Drug Application (NDA) in NonAdvSM. 

Appointment of Darara Dibabu as Vice President of Marketing 

In addition to the updates to PEAK and SUMMIT trials, Cogent announced today that Mr. Dibabu has joined Cogent as the VP of Marketing. Mr. Dibabu has 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, most recently as the Global Brand Lead of TUKYSA at Pfizer and SeaGen, where he led the global launch and marketing strategy of the product for metastatic breast cancer patients. Previously, he served in various roles of increasing responsibility at Seagen, Bayer and Merck. Mr. Dibabu holds a bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Southern California. In connection with Mr. Dibabu joining the company, he was granted an “inducement” equity award in accordance with Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) of the corporate governance rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.  The award was approved by the Compensation Committee of Cogent’s Board of Directors, made up entirely of independent directors, as an inducement material to Mr. Dibabu’s employment. The award consists of nonqualified options to purchase 100,000 shares of Cogent common stock with a 10-year term, at an exercise price of $10.74 per share, and a 4-year vesting schedule with 25% vesting on the 1-year anniversary of Mr. Dibabu’s employment and the remainder vesting in equal monthly installments over the subsequent 36 months, provided Mr. Dibabu’s remains employed through each such vesting date. 

About Cogent Biosciences, Inc.  

Cogent Biosciences is a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases. The most advanced clinical program, bezuclastinib, is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is designed to potently inhibit the KIT D816V mutation as well as other mutations in KIT exon 17. KIT D816V is responsible for driving systemic mastocytosis, a serious disease caused by unchecked proliferation of mast cells. Exon 17 mutations are also found in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a type of cancer with strong dependence on oncogenic KIT signaling. In addition to bezuclastinib, the Cogent Research Team is developing a portfolio of novel targeted therapies to help patients fighting serious, genetically driven diseases initially targeting mutations in FGFR2, ErbB2 and PI3Kα. Cogent Biosciences is based in Waltham, MA and Boulder, CO. Visit our website for more information at www.cogentbio.com. Follow Cogent Biosciences on social media: X (formerly known as Twitter) and LinkedIn. Information that may be important to investors will be routinely posted on our website and X.  

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: the expectation to report top-line results from the PEAK trial by the end of 2025, the expectation to complete enrollment in SUMMIT Part 2 in Q1 2025, three months earlier than originally projected, and to report top-line results in the second half of 2025, the potential for bezuclastinib to be a best-in-class KIT mutant inhibitor, the expectation for PEAK to support an NDA in GIST and the intention for SUMMIT to be a registrational study designed to support an NDA in NonAdvSM. The use of words such as, but not limited to, "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," or "would" and similar words expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, our clinical results, the rate of enrollment in our clinical trials and other future conditions. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve the forecasts or milestones disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties including but not limited to those set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in Cogent's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Neither we, nor our affiliates, advisors or representatives, undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. 

Contact: 
Christi Waarich 
Senior Director, Investor Relations 
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