Carna Biosciences accelerates monzosertib development alongside reduced sales outlook

Carna Biosciences announced a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This collaboration will evaluate monzosertib (AS-0141) in a physician-led clinical trial for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. The partnership aims to accelerate monzosertib's development, with a US IND application targeted for the first half of 2026. Carna Biosciences will provide the drug, safety information, and technical support for the trial.

Concurrently, Carna Biosciences revised its consolidated financial forecast for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The company now expects net sales of JPY 560 million, a 22.4% decrease from the previous forecast of JPY 722 million. Operating loss remains at JPY 2,133 million. The ordinary loss is projected to widen to JPY 2,196 million, and net loss attributable to parent company shareholders is expected to be JPY 2,223 million, an increase of JPY 76 million from the prior forecast.

The revised forecast attributes the changes to decreased sales in the drug discovery support business, a shift in research themes at major US and European clients, and lower demand for profiling services in Japan. Additionally, a special loss of JPY 25 million for impairment charges will be recorded, related to testing and measurement equipment and revisions to asset retirement obligations.