Verastem Oncology (NASDAQ: VSTM) has announced strategic leadership changes to accelerate its next phase of growth. John Johnson, a board member since 2020, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, succeeding Dr. Michael Kauffman, who has been the lead director since 2016. Dr. Kauffman has been appointed to President of Development and will join the company’s executive leadership team.
The company has completed the additional patient enrollment for RAMP 301, its international phase 3 confirmatory trial in recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC), with topline data anticipated in mid-2027. The trial is evaluating the combination of avutometinib plus defactinib versus standard chemotherapy for patients with recurrent LGSOC with and without a kras mutation.
Verastem Oncology markets Avmapki™ Fakzynja™ Co-Pack in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with kras-mutated recurrent LGSOC who have received prior systemic therapy, with continued approval for this indication contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
The most common adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, associated with Avmapki™ Fakzynja™ Co-Pack were increased creatine phosphokinase, nausea, fatigue, increased aspartate aminotransferase, rash, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and other reactions. The company also provided important safety information and drug interactions associated with the therapy.
John Johnson, the newly appointed Chairman of the Board, is a recognized biopharma executive leader with more than three decades of experience across corporate strategy, operations, investing, clinical development, and oncology drug commercialization. Dr. Michael Kauffman, the new President of Development, brings a depth of experience in advancing novel agents from early development through successful commercial launch.
Verastem Oncology is focused on developing and commercializing new medicines to improve the lives of patients diagnosed with ras/mapk pathway-driven cancers. Their pipeline is focused on novel small molecule drugs that inhibit critical signaling pathways in cancer promoting cancer cell survival and tumor growth, including raf/mek inhibition, fak inhibition, and kras G12D inhibition. Today the company's shares have moved 2.13% to a price of $7.915. Check out the company's full 8-K submission here.
