After a standout 2025, the BioWorld Cancer Index (BCI) started 2026 on more measured footing. Early volatility this year saw the BCI drop 11.51% by the end of January before recovering to post a modest 1.39% gain for the first quarter (Q1).
The discovery and development of new histone lysine acetyltransferase KAT6 inhibitors is a significant advancement in the management of breast cancer. Investigators from Olema Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Aurigene Oncology Ltd. recently presented data for their KAT6 inhibitor, OP-3136, as an approach for breast cancer.
Aurigene Oncology Ltd. and Olema Pharmaceuticals Inc. have disclosed new proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase CBL-B (CBLB)-binding moiety coupled to a histone acetyltransferase KAT6A (MOZ; MYST-3)-targeting moiety. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of cancer.
The failure of the Persevera study, sponsored by Roche Holding AG’s Genentech unit, disrupts advancement of giredestrant in combination with palbociclib (Ibrance, Pfizer Inc.) as a first-line treatment for ER-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. For competitor Olema Pharmaceuticals Inc., which has palazestrant for the same indication, missing the phase III Persevera primary endpoint of progression-free survival translated to a 25.8% stock slide (NASDAQ:OLMA) to a $16 close on March 9.
The BioWorld Cancer Index closed 2025 up 72.35%, outpacing gains in the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (up 32.4%) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (up 12.97%). The year featured standout gains, led by Terns Pharmaceuticals Inc., which surged 620%.
Six individuals, including an investment banker, face multiple U.S. charges stemming from an alleged $41 million insider-trading scheme, plus stock manipulation schemes involving biopharma companies. The charges are related to three overlapping securities fraud schemes that occurred between June 2020 and February 2024.
Roche AG’s Genentech unit landed another clinical victory with giredestrant that provided a major stock boost for competitor Olema Pharmaceuticals Inc. Made public were positive phase III data from the Lidera study testing selective estrogen receptor degrader and complete estrogen receptor antagonist (CERAN) as an adjuvant endocrine treatment for people with ER-positive, HER2-negative, early stage breast cancer (BC).
The BioWorld Cancer Index closed the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 with a 24.15% gain, marking its highest level of the year. The climb reversed earlier declines, including a 12.81% drop at the end of Q1, and half-year performance of 2.21%. Broader markets showed a similar rebound, with the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index up 13.21% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 9.06%, both finishing Q3 at their highest points of 2025.
