TERN-701: Next-Generation Oral Allosteric BCR-ABL Inhibitor for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatment

Terns Pharmaceuticals presented a webinar on TERN-701, an investigational oral Allosteric BCR-ABL inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia. CEO Amy Burroughs discussed TERN-701's potential best-in-class profile and its position in the evolving CML treatment landscape. The company expects Phase I data next quarter, which will be a key benchmark to assess the drug's potential.

Terns Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and metabolic disease therapeutics, recently presented a webinar highlighting its investigational oral allosteric BCR-ABL inhibitor, TERN-701. The webinar, led by CEO Amy Burroughs, discussed TERN-701's potential best-in-class profile and its position in the evolving chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment landscape. The company expects Phase I data next quarter, which will serve as a critical benchmark to assess the drug's potential.

TERN-701's Best-in-Class Potential

TERN-701 is a next-generation oral allosteric BCR-ABL inhibitor designed to address the significant unmet need in CML, particularly for patients with resistance mutations or treatment failure to existing therapies. The Phase 1 CARDINAL trial has completed dose escalation and is now in the dose expansion phase, with 6-month major molecular response (MMR) data expected in Q4 2025 [1]. Early clinical data suggest that TERN-701 could become a best-in-class therapy, with a 50% cumulative MMR rate in non-T315i mutation patients at 12 weeks, even in those resistant to multiple prior therapies [1].

Position in the Evolving CML Treatment Landscape

The CML market, valued at $8.86 billion in 2025, is projected to grow to $12.07 billion by 2030, driven by the need for therapies that address resistance and improve patient outcomes [1]. TERN-701's potential to achieve deep molecular responses and its once-daily dosing regimen position it to disrupt the current treatment paradigm dominated by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like imatinib, dasatinib, and asciminib [3].

The webinar also discussed the rapid uptake of the first allosteric TKI to market, asciminib, which has seen a significant increase in usage, particularly in the first-line (1L) and beyond [2]. Despite its success, asciminib leaves opportunities for improvement across efficacy, safety, and convenience. TERN-701 aims to fill this gap with its superior safety/tolerability profile and potential for higher efficacy.

Key Benchmarks and Development Path Ahead

The primary goal of the webinar was to equip investors and analysts with the knowledge needed to calibrate and thoughtfully assess TERN-701's profile versus asciminib and other therapeutic agents in development for CML. The company expects to present Phase I data next quarter, which will be a key benchmark to assess TERN-701's potential. The development path for TERN-701 includes gaining FDA approval, which will require demonstrating its safety, efficacy, and potential for improved patient outcomes compared to existing therapies.

Conclusion

Terns Pharmaceuticals' TERN-701 is a promising oral allosteric BCR-ABL inhibitor with the potential to become a best-in-class therapy for CML. The company's strategic focus on TERN-701, along with its Phase I data expected next quarter, positions it well to disrupt the current treatment paradigm and capture a significant share of the growing CML market. Investors will be closely watching the upcoming data readouts to assess TERN-701's potential and its impact on Terns Pharmaceuticals' long-term value.

References:
[1] Terns Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results [https://ir.ternspharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/terns-pharmaceuticals-reports-second-quarter-2025-financial]
[2] Terns Pharmaceuticals: Assessing TERN-701's Potential to [https://www.ainvest.com/news/terns-pharmaceuticals-assessing-tern-701-potential-drive-valuation-investor-sentiment-2509/]
[3] Terns to stop funding metabolic disease trials beyond 2025 ... [https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/terns-vows-stop-funding-metabolic-disease-trials-beyond-2025-seeks-partners-assets]