Bicycle Therapeutics Depioritizes Zelenectide, Cuts Costs 50% and Extends Runway to 2030
Bicycle Therapeutics selected a 6mg zelenectide dose in metastatic urothelial cancer, achieving a 65% physician-assessed ORR and 58% BICR-confirmed ORR. The company will turn Duravelo-2 into a Phase 2 trial, deprioritize the zelenectide program, slash expenses by 50% through a 30% workforce cut and extend cash runway to 2030.
1. Trial Progress and Dose Selection
Bicycle Therapeutics completed the dose selection portion of the Duravelo-2 trial in metastatic urothelial cancer, identifying a 6mg dose that delivered a physician-assessed 65% overall response rate and a 58% BICR-confirmed response at the 27-week cutoff with only one treatment-related discontinuation.
2. Program Conversion and Deprioritization
Regulatory feedback indicated the existing Duravelo-2 design is not an acceptable approval path, prompting the company to convert the study into a randomized Phase 2 trial and deprioritize the broader zelenectide program, including the Duravelo-3 and Duravelo-4 trials in breast and lung cancer.
3. Workforce Reduction and Cash Runway Extension
As part of a strategic reprioritization, Bicycle Therapeutics will reduce its workforce by approximately 30%, aiming to cut operating expenses by about 50% and extend its cash runway by two years, through 2030.
4. Next-Generation Pipeline Focus
The company will redirect resources toward its next-generation therapeutics, including BT5528, a first-in-class EphA2-targeting Bicycle Drug Conjugate, and its broader emerging bicycle conjugate (BRC) pipeline.