Foghorn Therapeutics (FHTX) 7th Annual Evercore ISI HealthCONx Conference summary

Company overview and pipeline

• Focuses on chromatin regulatory system and gene expression, leveraging biology, drug discovery, and chemistry capabilities.

• Pipeline includes FHD-286 (phase I in AML), FHD-909 (SMARCA2 inhibitor, phase I), and proprietary programs targeting CBP, EP300, and ARID proteins.

• Strategic partnership with Lilly, with FHD-909 as a marquee program; other collaboration details remain confidential.

• Emphasizes protein degradation efforts and synthetic lethal targets.

• Well capitalized into early 2027, supporting continued pipeline progression.

FHD-286 clinical program in AML

• Phase I study combines FHD-286 with decitabine in relapsed/refractory AML, with two study arms based on CYP3A4-inducing azoles per FDA request.

• Decision to advance program independently hinges on achieving a response rate threshold around 20%.

• Response rates in this population with best care are typically in the low teens; 20% is set as a meaningful bar.

• Data readout and development decision expected later this year, communicated via press release.

• Average overall survival in this patient group is about 2.5 months; duration of response and survival are key efficacy measures.

FHD-909 and synthetic lethality in oncology

• FHD-909 targets SMARCA2 in cancers with SMARCA4 mutations, exploiting synthetic lethality for tumor regression.

• Preclinical data show tumor stasis and regressions; clinical study is led by Lilly.

• Recent external data (Prelude) validate the target, showing partial responses in SMARCA4-mutant cancers, though further target coverage may improve outcomes.

• Effective inhibition requires high target coverage (IC90 or 90% degradation), with both potency and speed of action being critical.

• Phase I trial uses a three plus three design, enrolling patients with SMARCA4 mutations; dose escalation precedes expansion into specific tumor cohorts.