Why did Verastem's operating profit drop sharply in Q4 2024?

Verastem's operating profit dropped sharply in Q4 2024 to -$31.77 million. This decline can be attributed to several factors: |code|Ticker|Name|Date|Operating Income YoY|Operating Income|market_code| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |VSTM|VSTM.O|Verastem|2023 Q4|-80.88209035176477|-3.039E7|186| |VSTM|VSTM.O|Verastem|2024 Q1|-45.38328891675811|-2.7822E7|186| |VSTM|VSTM.O|Verastem|2024 Q2|9.161697304223546|-1.8432E7|186| |VSTM|VSTM.O|Verastem|2024 Q3|-84.96855034421277|-3.7347E7|186| 1. **Financial Results**: The company reported a quarterly adjusted loss of $1.33 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, which is lower than the same quarter last year when the company reported an EPS of $-1.02. This indicates a continued financial strain for the company. 2. **Prioritization of Pipeline Programs**: Verastem has prioritized its pipeline programs, particularly the development of avutometinib and defactinib for recurrent LGSOC. The company's focus on advancing these programs to regulatory approval may have temporarily strained financial resources as they navigate the FDA review process. In conclusion, Verastem's operating profit drop in Q4 2024 is likely a result of a combination of factors including financial results and prioritization of pipeline programs.