Novocure Stock Falls 16.5% After Optune Gio Phase III Fails Endpoint
NVCR•Novocure’s Phase III TRIDENT trial failed to show a statistically significant overall survival benefit for early versus maintenance initiation of Optune Gio in newly diagnosed glioblastoma, with median OS of 17.7 versus 17.5 months. The stock plunged 16.5% after opening at $14.90 from $17.85, cutting market cap to $1.66 billion.
1. TRIDENT trial outcome
The TRIDENT trial randomized 981 newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients to early initiation of Optune Gio with chemoradiation versus maintenance-phase initiation. The study did not meet its primary endpoint of overall survival, reporting median OS of 17.7 months for the early arm versus 17.5 months for the maintenance arm, with comparable one-, two- and three-year survival rates across both groups.
2. Stock market impact
Novocure’s shares plunged 16.5% from a close of $17.85 to an opening price of $14.90 on the Nasdaq, wiping out approximately $274 million in market value and reducing the company’s market capitalization to $1.66 billion.
3. Safety and next steps
Optune Gio remained well tolerated with no new safety signals observed, consistent with prior studies. The company plans to review TRIDENT data to refine treatment protocols and determine potential label updates or further subgroup analyses.
