CI
CURIS INC (CRIS)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 results beat on both revenue and EPS: revenue $3.18M vs $2.86M consensus and GAAP EPS -$0.49 vs -$0.60 consensus; YoY revenue +8% and losses narrowed as operating expenses declined. Drivers were cost discipline (R&D and G&A lower YoY) and stable Erivedge royalty revenue in the quarter . Consensus sourced from S&P Global estimates (see table for details).*
- Strategic pivot: On Nov 6, Curis sold the Erivedge royalty business to Oberland for $2.5M cash and extinguishment of the royalty liability; going forward Curis will no longer receive Erivedge royalties (a structural shift for revenue) and expects to recognize a gain in Q4 2025 and remove the royalty liability from the balance sheet .
- Pipeline momentum: 50% MRD conversion in initial AML triplet cohorts; CLL Phase 2 protocol filed with first patient expected late Q4 or early Q1; PCNSL enrollment continues with multiple November SNO presentations and ASH triplet data in December serving as near-term catalysts .
- Liquidity/runway: Cash was $9.1M at 9/30; company reiterated runway into Q1’26 in the press release; CFO on the call said “into 2026” and flagged plans to raise additional capital near year-end, highlighting financing risk as a stock driver .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Beat on revenue and EPS with operating leverage: revenue $3.18M (+8% YoY), GAAP EPS -$0.49 vs -$0.60 consensus; R&D down to $6.4M (from $9.7M YoY) and G&A slightly lower YoY, narrowing losses .*
- Clinical progress and data flow: AML triplet (ema+ven+aza) showed 50% MRD conversion (4/8 evaluable) with no disease progression among those remaining MRD+; DLTs resolved; SNO (PCNSL/SCNSL) and ASH (AML triplet) presentations set for Nov/Dec .
- Clarifying CLL plan: Protocol filed; ~40-patient Phase 2 with goal to achieve deeper responses; management said “anything north of 20% [CR] would be very exciting,” underscoring a clear proof-of-concept bar .
What Went Wrong
- Liquidity tight and financing needed: Cash fell to $9.1M at 9/30; CFO reiterated intent to raise additional capital by year-end; runway commentary varied between “into Q1’26” (PR) and “into 2026” (call) .
- Loss of steady royalty revenue: Sale of the Erivedge royalty stream eliminates future royalty revenues, creating a step-down in reported revenue starting Q4 despite balance sheet simplification (gain and liability extinguishment) .
- Other income turned to expense: Q3 other expense was -$0.8M vs +$0.5M YoY due to higher expense related to sale of future royalties and lower interest income, a headwind to bottom line quality .
Financial Results
Headline metrics vs prior periods and consensus
Notes: Asterisks indicate values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Income statement detail
Margins (calculated from reported GAAP)
Methodology: percentages computed using GAAP revenue, operating loss, and net loss from company press releases.
Liquidity & other KPIs
Revenue composition: until Nov 6, revenue consisted of Erivedge royalties; subsequent to the Oberland transaction, Curis will no longer receive Erivedge royalties .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We made good progress advancing our clinical studies in PCNSL, CLL, and AML this quarter... we expect to enroll our first [CLL] patient in late Q4 or early Q1, with data expected at the ASH annual meeting in December 2026.” — James Dentzer, CEO .
- “MRD conversion... was observed in 4 of 8 patients (50%)... No patients who remained MRD+ progressed... Two dose-limiting toxicities... were observed in the 14-day cohort and both resolved.” — Q3 business update (AML triplet) .
- “We are anticipating a study design... that anticipates 40 patients [in CLL]... anything north of 20% [CR] would be very exciting.” — CEO/CMO, Q3 call .
- “We will be looking to bring in additional capital prior to the end of the year.” — CFO, Q3 call .
Q&A Highlights
- CLL study design and expectations: ~40 patients; dual-pathway blockade (BCR + TLR) aimed at deeper responses; CR “north of 20%” seen as compelling; small dose escalation then expansion at 200 mg .
- Safety with BTKi combos: Prior experience with ~25 patients on ibrutinib showed no additive toxicities or DDI signals; expect clean profile with other BTKis; PK/DDI monitoring planned .
- Resource prioritization and financing: Priority on PCNSL enrollment and launching CLL study; management explicitly plans to raise capital by year-end to fund programs .
- Near-term catalysts: SNO (three PCNSL/SCNSL presentations) and ASH (AML triplet) updates; management avoided front-running but expressed optimism .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025 vs S&P Global consensus: Revenue $3.176M vs $2.860M consensus (+$0.316M, +11%); GAAP EPS -$0.49 vs -$0.60 consensus (+$0.11) with 5 and 4 covering estimates respectively. Implication: magnitude of beat driven by lower OpEx and steady royalties in-quarter; forward consensus likely to reduce revenue trajectory post-Erivedge sale and contemplate a Q4 non-operating gain and liability extinguishment .*
Notes: Asterisks indicate values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Where estimates may adjust:
- Elimination of future Erivedge royalties post-transaction likely lowers out-quarter revenue models; Q4 should reflect a gain on sale and removal of royalty liability (non-operating), affecting EPS mix .
- OpEx trajectory trended lower through 2025 (R&D/G&A reductions), potentially supporting improved loss per share run-rate assumptions if sustained .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Clean beat on revenue and EPS with clear cost control; however, the structural removal of royalty revenue resets the topline base starting Q4 despite balance sheet simplification from extinguishing the royalty liability .
- Near-term catalysts are stacked (SNO Nov 19–23, ASH Dec 6–9): updated PCNSL/SCNSL data and initial AML triplet data; positive read-throughs could be stock-moving given small-cap biotech sensitivity to clinical updates .
- CLL Phase 2 design (~40 pts) targets a tangible bar (>20% CR would be “very exciting”); first patient late Q4/early Q1 sets up 2026 data, expanding TAM beyond PCNSL .
- Financing overhang: $9.1M cash at quarter-end; management indicated intent to raise capital near term; runway language varied (PR: into Q1’26; call: into 2026) — monitor deal timing/terms and potential dilution .
- Nasdaq listing risk management: extension to Nov 14 to regain compliance; company believes stockholders’ equity now above $2.5M post-Erivedge transaction, but panel outcome uncertain .
- For trading: watch for press releases around SNO/ASH and any financing 8-Ks; for the medium-term thesis: de-risking in PCNSL plus proof in CLL/AML could broaden the emavusertib story, but sustained funding is essential to execute .
Footnote: Consensus estimates marked with an asterisk are values retrieved from S&P Global.*