Nuvalent to Present Pivotal Neladalkib Data from ALKOVE-1 Trial at ASCO 2026 for ALK-Positive Lung Cancer

Key Takeaways

• Nuvalent will present pivotal data from the ALKOVE-1 trial of neladalkib in TKI pre-treated advanced ALK-positive NSCLC patients at ASCO 2026
• The company will also share preliminary data for zidesamtinib in advanced ROS1-positive solid tumors outside NSCLC from the ARROS-1 trial
• These presentations could advance Nuvalent’s position in the competitive ALK and ROS1 inhibitor market for lung cancer treatment

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Cambridge, Mass. - April 21, 2026 - Nuvalent, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUVL) announced today that it will present pivotal clinical trial data for its investigational ALK-selective inhibitor neladalkib at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. The data comes from the ALKOVE-1 trial evaluating neladalkib in patients with advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have previously received tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.

Dual Pipeline Progress

The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, which focuses on precisely targeted therapies for proven kinase targets in cancer, will also present preliminary data for zidesamtinib. This second investigational compound is being evaluated in the global ARROS-1 trial for patients with advanced ROS1-positive solid tumors outside of NSCLC.

Market Context and Implications

The ALK-positive NSCLC market represents a significant opportunity, with existing treatments including crizotinib, alectinib, and lorlatinib. However, resistance to current TKI therapies remains a challenge, creating demand for next-generation inhibitors like neladalkib that may overcome resistance mechanisms.

ROS1-positive cancers, while rarer than ALK-positive tumors, represent another important oncogene-driven cancer subset where targeted therapies have shown promise. Nuvalent’s dual approach with both ALK and ROS1 inhibitors positions the company to address multiple precision oncology markets.

Clinical Development Timeline

The ASCO presentation will provide crucial insights into neladalkib’s efficacy and safety profile in the challenging patient population of TKI pre-treated ALK-positive NSCLC. These results could inform regulatory discussions and potential approval pathways for the investigational therapy.

Nuvalent’s focus on kinase selectivity aims to improve both efficacy and tolerability compared to existing options, potentially offering patients better outcomes with fewer side effects.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does this mean for ALK-positive lung cancer patients?

The pivotal ALKOVE-1 data could show whether neladalkib offers a new treatment option for patients whose cancer has progressed on current ALK inhibitors, potentially providing hope for those with limited remaining options.

When will neladalkib be available to patients?

Neladalkib is still investigational. The timing of potential approval will depend on the ALKOVE-1 trial results and subsequent regulatory review, which typically takes 6-12 months after submission if data supports approval.

How does neladalkib compare to existing ALK inhibitors?

Neladalkib is designed to be more selective for ALK, potentially offering improved efficacy against resistant mutations while reducing off-target side effects compared to current ALK inhibitors like crizotinib and alectinib.