STAT+: Enliven Therapeutics’ leukemia drug shows promise in new study

STAT PlusBiotech Enliven Therapeutics’ leukemia drug shows promise in new study Early data compare favorably to a blockbuster medicine sold by Novartis and an experimental therapy owned by Merck Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Adam FeuersteinJune 11, 2026 Adam Feuerstein, a senior writer and biotech columnist, is the author of Adam’s Biotech Scorecard, a subscriber-only newsletter about the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. Adam Feuerstein[email protected]Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54. A targeted drug from Enliven Therapeutics induced molecular responses in nearly half of patients with advanced leukemia, including higher response rates in patients treated at an earlier stage of their disease. The updated early-stage study results reported Thursday for the Enliven drug, ELVN-001, compare favorably to a current blockbuster medicine sold by Novartis and an upstart experimental drug recently bought by Merck.Advertisement At 24 weeks, an 80 mg, once-daily dose of ELVN-001 achieved a major molecular response in 48% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, or CML, a slow-growing cancer that starts in myeloid cells. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, Cancer, drug development, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Adam Feuerstein Senior Writer, Biotech Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54. STAT+ Newsletter Senior writer Adam Feuerstein's unfiltered, uncompromising analysis on the biotech world Recommended Adam's Biotech Scorecard June 11, 2026 STAT Plus: ‘Synthetic lethality’ could trigger another round of biotech M&A The Readout June 10, 2026 STAT Plus: Hope for Kendall Square’s lab market Advertisement D.C. Diagnosis June 9, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump’s health care affordability czar takes aim at hospitals The Readout June 9, 2026 Gilead and Merck’s latest trial success and flop The Readout June 8, 2026 STAT Plus: Novo underwhelmed by drug it once fought Pfizer for Subscriber Picks