C4 Therapeutics Shifts Focus to Multiple Myeloma Drug, Shelves BRAF Inhibitor

Massachusetts-based biotech firm C4 Therapeutics has announced a strategic shift in its drug development pipeline, prioritizing its multiple myeloma candidate while halting further investment in its BRAF inhibitor program. The company revealed this decision alongside its first-quarter earnings report for 2025, signaling a significant change in direction for the pharmaceutical developer.

Cemsidomide Takes Center Stage

C4 Therapeutics is now concentrating its efforts and resources on cemsidomide, an experimental oral degrader of IKZF1/3 transcription factors. The drug candidate has shown promising results in early-stage trials for multiple myeloma, with Phase I data suggesting a "compelling" response profile. As of April 30, cemsidomide achieved an overall response rate of 50% in multiple myeloma patients.

The company plans to complete the Phase I dose-escalation trial for cemsidomide and present its findings by the third quarter of this year. Additionally, C4 is exploring cemsidomide's potential in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, with a Phase I dose-escalation study underway and results expected by year-end.

C4 Therapeutics CEO Andrew Hirsch emphasized the potential of cemsidomide, stating that the company is awaiting "regulatory feedback" regarding the drug's registrational development, which is anticipated by mid-year.

BRAF Inhibitor Program Suspended

In a move described as "strategic capital allocation," C4 Therapeutics has decided to shelve its investigational BRAF inhibitor, CFT1946. The drug candidate, which targets BRAF V600 mutations found in various cancer types, showed an encouraging pharmacokinetic and safety profile in a Phase I readout last September.

Despite the initial promise, C4 will no longer invest in CFT1946's development. Instead, the company is seeking development partners to "advance the BRAF program given the high unmet need and strong degrader rationale for treating BRAF V600 mutant solid tumors."

Data from the Phase I dose-escalation study of CFT1946 in patients with melanoma or colorectal cancer is slated for presentation at an upcoming scientific congress, potentially offering insights into the drug's efficacy and safety profile.

Financial Outlook and Future Plans

C4 Therapeutics reported a net loss of $26.3 million for the first quarter of 2025, a slight improvement from the $28.4 million deficit recorded during the same period last year. The company's financial position remains stable, with $234.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of the end of Q1, providing a runway into 2027.

With this strategic realignment, C4 Therapeutics aims to optimize its resources and focus on the most promising areas of its pipeline. The company's decision to prioritize cemsidomide reflects its confidence in the drug's potential to address significant unmet needs in multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment.