Enozertinib's 80% 1L cORR and CNS Activity Continue to Support Potential Differentiation

Citi notes that ORIC's updated first-line enozertinib data at ESMO 2026 continue to appear favorable, with an 80% confirmed objective response rate (16/20 patients) exceeding the ~60-70% competitive benchmark in first-line atypical EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Efficacy was maintained in patients with baseline CNS disease, with a 67% intracranial ORR (6/9 patients), including 2 complete responses, building on the initial 100% intracranial ORR (N=4) and further supporting potential differentiation from competitors, where efficacy has generally been more challenging in patients with brain metastases. Given the strength of the dataset, management is expected to continue advancing enozertinib toward Phase 3 and could provide incremental detail on trial design, alongside additional Phase 1b safety/efficacy data, at the October 23 investor event. Recent FDA feedback on the appropriate control arm should help frame the registrational path, with AVBP's use of investigator's-choice osimertinib or afatinib