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CI

CURIS INC (CRIS)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q4 2024 delivered a clear clinical/regulatory inflection: FDA and EMA provided supportive feedback that the ongoing single‑arm TakeAim Lymphoma study could support Accelerated Approval (US) / Conditional Marketing Authorization (EU) in PCNSL; Curis plans to enroll 30–40 additional patients over 12–18 months to file .
  • Results beat Wall Street revenue consensus and were essentially in line on EPS: revenue $3.35m vs $2.04m consensus (beat); GAAP EPS −$1.25 vs −$1.24 consensus (−$0.01 miss). Consensus from S&P Global estimates; see Estimates Context section for details and disclaimer .
  • Operating discipline continued: R&D and G&A declined y/y; net loss improved y/y/q/q; cash and equivalents ended Q4 at $20.0m; with March 2025 financing, runway extended into Q4’25, though management still flags the need for additional capital .
  • Catalysts: regulatory clarity in PCNSL, durable responses in BTKi‑experienced/naïve patients, AML signals (FLT3 monotherapy and frontline triplet), and ongoing partnering discussions highlighted on the call .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

  • What Went Well

    • Regulatory path: FDA/EMA indicated the ongoing single‑arm PCNSL study could support AA/CMA; agencies aligned on ORR as primary endpoint and contribution‑of‑effect analyses; current Phase 1/2 now effectively registrational in US/EU .
    • Clinical efficacy: In PCNSL (data cutoff Jan 2, 2025), BTKi‑experienced cohort showed 6 objective responses (4 CR, 2 PR; 3/4 CRs >6 months) among 13 evaluable; BTKi‑naïve cohort showed 5 objective responses (1 CR, 4 PR) among 6 evaluable .
    • Financial execution: Revenue rose to $3.35m in Q4 (Erivedge royalties), net loss narrowed to $9.6m; R&D and G&A both down y/y; October 2024 and March 2025 financings extended runway into Q4’25 .
    • Notable quote: “The development time line for emavusertib just got accelerated. Our current Phase I/II study is now registrational for both the U.S. and Europe.” — CEO James Dentzer .
  • What Went Wrong

    • Funding overhang persists: Despite runway extension, Curis states it lacks sufficient cash to support operations for 12 months without additional funding and will require substantial capital to advance emavusertib through approval .
    • EPS modestly missed consensus by $0.01 (S&P Global consensus −$1.24 vs GAAP −$1.25), and “Other expense, net” swung to a −$0.6m headwind in Q4 vs +$0.5m in Q4’23 .
    • Regulatory requirements add work: FDA/EMA expect contribution‑of‑effect analyses (emavusertib, ibrutinib, and combo; dose analyses at 100mg vs 200mg), and total patient numbers remain a review issue, which could extend timelines if enrollment lags .

Financial Results

Quarterly trend (chronological: Q2 → Q3 → Q4 2024)

MetricQ2 2024Q3 2024Q4 2024
Revenue ($USD Millions)$2.546 $2.931 $3.345
Net Loss ($USD Millions)$(11.803) $(10.092) $(9.618)
GAAP EPS (basic/diluted)$(2.03) $(1.70) $(1.25)
R&D Expense ($USD Millions)$10.254 $9.723 $8.968
G&A Expense ($USD Millions)$4.792 $3.753 $3.354

YoY comparison (Q4 2023 vs Q4 2024)

MetricQ4 2023Q4 2024
Revenue ($USD Millions)$2.696 $3.345
Net Loss ($USD Millions)$(11.712) $(9.618)
GAAP EPS (basic/diluted)$(2.03) $(1.25)
R&D Expense ($USD Millions)$9.964 $8.968
G&A Expense ($USD Millions)$4.877 $3.354

Vs. Estimates (S&P Global)

MetricConsensus (Q4 2024)Actual (Q4 2024)Surprise
Revenue ($USD)$2,040,000*$3,345,000 +$1,305,000 (Beat)
GAAP EPS$(1.24)*$(1.25) −$0.01 (Miss)

Values marked with * are from S&P Global consensus; Values retrieved from S&P Global.

Segment breakdown: Not applicable (revenue consists of royalties from Genentech/Roche’s Erivedge) .

KPIs and balance sheet

KPIQ3 2024Q4 2024
Cash, cash equivalents & investments ($USD Millions)$20.854 $19.997
Shares Outstanding (approx.)~8.5m ~8.5m
Cash Runway GuidanceInto mid‑2025 Into Q4 2025 (incl. March 2025 offerings)

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Cash RunwayCompany operationsInto mid‑2025 Into Q4 2025 (adds March 2025 proceeds) Raised/Extended
PCNSL Clinical PlanNext 12–18 monthsN/AEnroll 30–40 additional patients to support AA/CMA filings New quantitative enrollment plan
Regulatory Path (PCNSL)US/EU filings“Engaged with regulators” FDA/EMA supportive that current single‑arm study could support AA/CMA; ORR primary endpoint; contribution‑of‑effect required De‑risked path (qualitative)

No revenue, margin, tax, or OpEx numeric guidance was provided beyond the above.

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q2 2024, Q3 2024)Current Period (Q4 2024)Trend
PCNSL regulatory pathInitiated discussions; EU ODD for PCNSL; initial data 15–20 pts expected late 2024 FDA/EMA supportive of AA/CMA using current single‑arm study; ORR primary endpoint; confirmatory study design to align; contribution‑of‑effect needed Improving clarity/acceleration
PCNSL efficacy (ema + ibrutinib)Preliminary CR/CRu/PR signals in BTKi‑experienced; durability >6 months in multiple CR/CRu 27 pts update: BTKi‑experienced 6 ORR (4 CR, 2 PR; 3 CRs >6 months); BTKi‑naïve 5 ORR (1 CR, 4 PR) Strengthening dataset
AML monotherapy (FLT3)Additional data planned (ASH) 38% composite CR in FLT3 salvage population; rapid responses; potential best‑in‑class rationale (IRAK4 + FLT3) Positive signal; potential strategy
AML triplet (frontline)Triplet initiated; initial safety expected late 2024 7‑day cohort completed, well tolerated; escalating to 14‑day; goal: establish safety then move to Day‑1 triplet dosing Advancing dose/escalation
Cash runway/financingCash to mid‑2025; Oct 2024 financing $10.8m net Q4 cash $20.0m; March 2025 ~$10m gross financing; runway into Q4’25; still needs additional funding Extended but funding need persists
PartneringNot emphasized previously“On radar screens”; expects discussions and potential partnership with major players Increasing discussion

Management Commentary

  • “The development time line for emavusertib just got accelerated. Our current Phase I/II study is now registrational for both the U.S. and Europe.” — CEO James Dentzer, prepared remarks .
  • “Over the next 12–18 months, we will be focused on enrolling 30–40 additional patients to support the regulatory filing for accelerated approval.” — CEO James Dentzer, press release .
  • “As long as we are probably north of 25% ORR [in PCNSL], [we] should have positive momentum with both agencies.” — CDO Jonathan Zung during Q&A .
  • “We’ve previously guided that our burn is about $10 million a quarter… [financings] extend our cash runway from mid‑’24 to the fourth quarter of ’25.” — CFO Diantha Duvall .

Q&A Highlights

  • Cash burn/runway: ~$10m quarterly burn; October 2024 and March 2025 financings extend runway into Q4’25 .
  • Partnering: Management expects ongoing discussions and anticipates partnering with a major player in NHL or AML at some point .
  • FDA component contribution: Plan to analyze 100mg vs 200mg dosing and contributions of emavusertib, ibrutinib, and the combination in BTKi‑naïve population; 13 PCNSL patients dosed at 100mg so far .
  • EMA/FDA efficacy bar: Agencies supportive given lack of approved PCNSL treatments; aiming to maintain compelling, consistent responses; “north of 25% ORR” seen as supportive .
  • AML roadmap: Triplet moving through dose durations; potential FLT3 monotherapy pivotal considered; timing/data updates to be clarified as year progresses .

Estimates Context

  • Revenue: Q4 revenue of $3.345m beat S&P Global consensus of $2.04m (beat of $1.305m). Consensus values from S&P Global; actuals from company reported financials .
  • EPS: GAAP EPS of $(1.25) missed S&P Global consensus of $(1.24) by $0.01. Consensus values from S&P Global; actuals from company reported financials .
    Values retrieved from S&P Global.

Where estimates may adjust: Consensus revenue likely moves higher given Erivedge royalty strength; EPS sensitivity tied to operating expense cadence and “Other income/expense” volatility, and to the pace/cost of PCNSL enrollment and manufacturing .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • The PCNSL program is now effectively on a registrational footing in both US/EU, materially de‑risking the path to first approval if response durability holds and contribution‑of‑effect requirements are satisfied .
  • Clinical efficacy signals (including in BTKi‑experienced PCNSL and salvage FLT3 AML) support emavusertib’s dual‑mechanism thesis and underpin medium‑term value creation across indications .
  • Q4’24 showed continued operating discipline and a strong royalty‑driven revenue beat; however, the company still anticipates needing additional capital to reach approval/commercialization .
  • Near‑term catalysts: ongoing PCNSL enrollment updates, FDA/EMA alignment on confirmatory design, AML triplet safety escalation and potential Day‑1 triplet dosing, and partnering developments .
  • Risk factors: enrollment pace, regulatory review issues (patient numbers, contribution‑of‑effect), royalty variability (Erivedge), and financing risk remain prominent .
  • Trading lens: Regulatory clarity and clinical durability are supportive; funding and dilution risk remain the principal overhangs until a partnering event or additional financing is secured .

Sources

  • Q4 2024 press release (furnished via 8‑K): financials and business update and standalone press release .
  • Q4 2024 earnings call transcript: strategy, regulatory feedback, Q&A .
  • 8‑K (Mar 28, 2025) with Item 2.02, financing terms, regulatory details, and cash runway commentary .
  • Prior quarters for trend: Q3 2024 press release ; Q2 2024 press release .
  • October 29, 2024 financing press release .