Foghorn Therapeutics plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 40% after it and Eli Lilly decided not to advance the experimental cancer drug FHD-909 into the next phase of clinical development. The companies also will not continue their selective SMARCA2 degrader program, ending further expected activities under their collaboration.
The decision follows a review of Phase 1 dose-escalation data for FHD-909, also known as LY4050784. Foghorn said the drug showed a favorable safety profile at exposures exceeding its preclinical targets but did not demonstrate the degree of efficacy needed to move into the clinical expansion phase.
FHD-909 is an oral small molecule designed to selectively inhibit SMARCA2, a protein involved in chromatin regulation, while sparing the related SMARCA4 protein. The program had been developed with Lilly under a collaboration between the companies.
Following the program decision, Foghorn will concentrate resources on wholly owned programs. These include selective EP300 and CBP degrader programs, an oral program for immunology and inflammation, and its induced-proximity platform.
The organizational restructuring and pipeline prioritization are expected to extend Foghorn’s cash runway into the second half of 2029, according to the company.
Adrian Gottschalk, Foghorn’s president and chief executive, said the company will focus its financial and development resources on its proprietary portfolio. The Watertown, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company develops treatments targeting dependencies within the chromatin regulatory system for oncology and immunology and inflammation.
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