Foghorn Therapeutics announced preclinical data for several potential first-in-class cancer medicines, including FHD-909, a SMARCA2 inhibitor, and its selective CBP and EP300 degrader programs at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting. The company also provided an update on its Selective ARID1B degrader program during a virtual investor event. These advancements represent significant steps in developing novel cancer therapies targeting the chromatin regulatory system.
This news is important because it showcases Foghorn’s progress in developing targeted cancer therapies. The preclinical data suggests potential for these drug candidates, particularly FHD-909, both as standalone treatments and in combination with existing therapies. This approach addresses the need for more effective treatments for cancers with specific genetic mutations, such as SMARCA4-mutated NSCLC, which often have poor outcomes with current treatments. The exploration of CBP degraders in combination therapies for cancers beyond EP300 mutations, like ER+ breast cancer, opens new avenues for therapeutic intervention. Similarly, the development of a selective EP300 degrader for hematological malignancies offers a potential alternative to less tolerable dual CBP/EP300 inhibition.
FHD-909 demonstrated synergistic anti-tumor activity when combined with pembrolizumab and KRAS inhibitors in preclinical NSCLC models. A Phase 1 trial of FHD-909 is underway for patients with SMARCA4-mutated solid tumors. Preclinical data suggests selective CBP degraders offer potential benefits in combination with existing chemotherapies and targeted agents in solid tumors. Foghorn’s selective EP300 degrader showed preclinical efficacy in various hematological malignancies. The company is also developing potent and selective ARID1B degraders, with a program update expected later in 2025.
The preclinical data and ongoing clinical trial for FHD-909 suggest a potential breakthrough in treating SMARCA4-mutated cancers, including NSCLC. The progress in CBP, EP300, and ARID1B degrader programs further expands Foghorn’s pipeline and its potential impact on various cancers. These advancements position Foghorn as a key player in developing novel cancer therapies that exploit genetic vulnerabilities within the chromatin regulatory system, potentially leading to more effective and targeted treatment options for patients.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
