Compugen (CGEN) 25th Annual Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference summary

Strategic advances and pipeline overview

• Leveraging an AI-driven computational engine, the company has built a pipeline of novel immune-oncology drug candidates, with a focus on activating the immune system against cancer.

• Transitioned from drug discovery to in-house clinical development over the past decade, resulting in multiple clinical and partnered programs.

• Key assets include COM701 (anti-PVRIG antibody), COM902 (anti-TIGIT antibody), and a first-in-class anti-IL-18 binding protein antibody, with major partnerships with AstraZeneca and Gilead.

• AstraZeneca is advancing rilvegostomig (PD-1/TIGIT bispecific) in 11 phase III trials, with potential registration from 2028 onward.

• The company ended 2025 with over $145 million in cash, supporting operations through 2029 without additional milestones.

Clinical development highlights

• COM701 is being evaluated in the MAIA-OV trial for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, with results expected in Q1 2027.

• Rilvegostomig is being tested across multiple indications and combinations, including with ADCs, in a comprehensive clinical strategy by AstraZeneca.

• GS-0321 (anti-IL-18BP) entered phase I in early 2025, with Gilead responsible for later-stage development.

• Early clinical data for COM701 showed durable responses and excellent safety in heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients.

• The company’s approach targets less inflamed tumor types, aiming to expand immune-oncology benefits to broader patient populations.

Differentiation and rationale

• PVRIG biology is distinct from TIGIT and other checkpoints, potentially enabling efficacy in tumors less responsive to existing IO agents.

• The platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer strategy focuses on patients with higher T cell quality and lower tumor burden, aiming to prolong response post-chemotherapy.

• Rilvegostomig’s bispecific format offers cooperative binding, potentially outperforming dual-agent combinations and improving safety.

• AstraZeneca’s trial designs incorporate lessons from past IO failures, with head-to-head comparisons and innovative combination strategies.

• The anti-IL-18BP approach inhibits the inhibitor in the tumor microenvironment, aiming for a superior therapeutic window compared to recombinant cytokines.