Zentalis Board Member Letai Emerges as Top Candidate for NCI Leadership, According to STAT
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 24 2025
0mins
Should l Buy ZNTL?
Candidate for Director: Anthony Letai, a cancer researcher and oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University, is a leading candidate for the next director of the National Cancer Institute.
Community Support: Cancer scientists are expressing relief and support for Letai's potential leadership, highlighting his kindness and qualifications as a scientist.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ZNTL?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on ZNTL
Wall Street analysts forecast ZNTL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ZNTL is 6.60 USD with a low forecast of 4.00 USD and a high forecast of 10.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
6 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 2.210
Low
4.00
Averages
6.60
High
10.00
Current: 2.210
Low
4.00
Averages
6.60
High
10.00
About ZNTL
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on discovering and developing small molecule therapeutics targeting fundamental biological pathways of cancers. The Company is engaged in developing azenosertib (ZN-c3), a potentially first-in-class WEE1 inhibitor, for patients with ovarian cancer and other tumor types. The inhibition of WEE1, a DNA damage response kinase, drives cancer cells into mitosis without being able to repair damaged DNA, resulting in cell death and thereby preventing tumor growth and potentially causing tumor regression. WEE1 acts as a regulator of the G1-S and G2-M cell cycle checkpoints, through negative regulation of both CDK1 and CDK2, to prevent replication of cells with damaged DNA. In clinical trials, azenosertib has been well tolerated and has demonstrated anti-tumor activity as a single agent across multiple tumor types.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Oncolytics Biotech Advances Pelareorep for Anal Cancer with 29% Response Rate
- Clinical Data Breakthrough: Oncolytics Biotech's pelareorep demonstrated a 29% objective response rate in anal cancer during the GOBLET Cohort 4, significantly exceeding the historical benchmark of 10%, indicating its crucial clinical value in a setting with no FDA-approved treatment options.
- Duration of Response: Among 14 evaluable patients, the median duration of response for pelareorep reached approximately 17 months, far surpassing the standard treatment's 9.5 months, showcasing the drug's durable efficacy in heavily pretreated patients and addressing a critical unmet medical need.
- FDA Accelerated Approval Plans: Oncolytics plans to hold a Type C meeting with the FDA in Q1 2026 to discuss advancing pelareorep into a registration-directed clinical study, paving the way for potential accelerated approval if the data is validated.
- Strategic Investment and Expert Support: The company expanded its Scientific Advisory Board by adding three globally recognized experts from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center, further strengthening its strategic positioning in the gastrointestinal oncology field.
See More
Oncolytics Biotech Advances Pelareorep for Anal Cancer with 29% Response Rate
- Clinical Data Breakthrough: Oncolytics Biotech's pelareorep demonstrated a 29% objective response rate in anal cancer patients during the GOBLET Cohort 4 study, significantly surpassing the historical benchmark of 10%, indicating the therapy's substantial potential in a patient population with no FDA-approved options.
- Duration of Response: The study also revealed a median duration of response of approximately 17 months, far exceeding the standard treatment's 9.5 months, suggesting that pelareorep offers durable efficacy in heavily pretreated patients, addressing a critical unmet medical need.
- FDA Accelerated Approval Plans: Oncolytics plans to hold a Type C meeting with the FDA in Q1 2026 to discuss advancing pelareorep into a registration-directed clinical study, paving the way for accelerated approval if the observed data can be replicated.
- Strategic Investment and Expansion: The company is enhancing its strategic positioning in gastrointestinal oncology by expanding its Scientific Advisory Board, further solidifying its market presence in anal cancer and other indications.
See More
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals (ZNTL) Surges 17.65% as Investors Renew Interest
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Surge: Zentalis Pharmaceuticals' stock rose 17.65% to $4.40 in after-hours trading, with no new news but bolstered by a corporate update on January 6, 2026, highlighting key milestones in its azenosertib development program, which has renewed investor confidence in its pipeline progress.
- LifeMD Secures Financing: LifeMD's stock climbed 12.18% to $4.33 following the announcement of a new senior secured revolving credit facility with Citizens Bank, providing up to $50 million in total availability, with $30 million committed, which is expected to support the company's organic growth initiatives.
- NanoViricides Attracts Speculative Interest: NanoViricides' stock advanced 11.11% to $1.24, drawing speculative interest in after-hours trading despite no new announcements, indicating ongoing market enthusiasm for biotech companies.
- Neurogene Participates in Healthcare Conference: Neurogene's stock increased 2.06% to $18.29 as the management team prepares to present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, enhancing market expectations for its future developments.
See More
China SXT Pharmaceuticals Launches AI Initiative, Stock Rises 13.6%
- AI Initiative Launch: China SXT Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of its Strategic AI Insights Initiative, resulting in a 13.6% stock increase to $1.42, adding $0.17, aimed at integrating AI-driven analytics into product portfolio planning, thereby enhancing the company's innovation capabilities in modern traditional Chinese medicine.
- Acquisition Speculation Boost: Revolution Medicines' stock surged 15.1% to $123.65 following reports that Merck is in talks to acquire the company, while the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to its zoldonrasib, further boosting market confidence.
- Optimistic Revenue Forecast: KalVista Pharmaceuticals reported preliminary unaudited global net product revenue results for Q4 and full year 2025, leading to a 14.0% stock increase to $18.04, reflecting investor optimism about the company's future performance.
- Clinical Progress Presentation: Sagimet Biosciences announced plans to present clinical trial results for its FASN inhibitor denifanstat at the upcoming MASH-TAG Conference, resulting in a 7.7% stock increase to $6.00, indicating market interest in its anti-fibrotic therapy potential.
See More
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals' Azenosertib Set for Key Milestones in 2026
- Clinical Trial Progress: Zentalis has completed enrollment in the DENALI Part 2a trial for Azenosertib in Cyclin E1-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, with dose confirmation expected in 1H 2026 and topline data by year-end, potentially supporting accelerated FDA approval.
- Market Demand: Cyclin E1-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer accounts for about half of all PROC cases, with patients facing limited treatment options and poor outcomes, making Azenosertib's development crucial to address this significant unmet medical need.
- New Trial Initiation: Zentalis plans to initiate the ASPENOVA Phase 3 randomized confirmatory trial in 1H 2026, running concurrently with DENALI Part 2, to compare Azenosertib with standard chemotherapy, further validating its clinical value.
- Stock Performance: ZNTL shares have traded between $1.01 and $3.06 over the past year, closing yesterday at $1.78, up 29.92%, and further rising to $1.83 in after-hours trading, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding its future prospects.
See More
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Reveals Inducement Grants in Accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
Stock Options Granted: Zentalis Pharmaceuticals granted non-qualified stock options to a newly hired employee, totaling 17,000 shares, under its 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan.
Exercise Price and Vesting: The stock options have an exercise price of $1.44 per share, with a 10-year term and a vesting schedule that includes 25% vesting after one year and the remainder vesting monthly over three years.
Company Overview: Zentalis is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing azenosertib, a WEE1 inhibitor for ovarian cancer and other tumor types, which has shown promise in clinical trials.
Research and Development: The company is exploring additional applications for azenosertib beyond platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, leveraging its expertise in biopharmaceutical research.
See More
Oncolytics Biotech Advances Pelareorep for Anal Cancer with 29% Response Rate
- Clinical Data Breakthrough: Oncolytics Biotech's pelareorep demonstrated a 29% objective response rate in anal cancer during the GOBLET Cohort 4, significantly exceeding the historical benchmark of 10%, indicating its crucial clinical value in a setting with no FDA-approved treatment options.
- Duration of Response: Among 14 evaluable patients, the median duration of response for pelareorep reached approximately 17 months, far surpassing the standard treatment's 9.5 months, showcasing the drug's durable efficacy in heavily pretreated patients and addressing a critical unmet medical need.
- FDA Accelerated Approval Plans: Oncolytics plans to hold a Type C meeting with the FDA in Q1 2026 to discuss advancing pelareorep into a registration-directed clinical study, paving the way for potential accelerated approval if the data is validated.
- Strategic Investment and Expert Support: The company expanded its Scientific Advisory Board by adding three globally recognized experts from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center, further strengthening its strategic positioning in the gastrointestinal oncology field.
See More
Oncolytics Biotech Advances Pelareorep for Anal Cancer with 29% Response Rate
- Clinical Data Breakthrough: Oncolytics Biotech's pelareorep demonstrated a 29% objective response rate in anal cancer patients during the GOBLET Cohort 4 study, significantly surpassing the historical benchmark of 10%, indicating the therapy's substantial potential in a patient population with no FDA-approved options.
- Duration of Response: The study also revealed a median duration of response of approximately 17 months, far exceeding the standard treatment's 9.5 months, suggesting that pelareorep offers durable efficacy in heavily pretreated patients, addressing a critical unmet medical need.
- FDA Accelerated Approval Plans: Oncolytics plans to hold a Type C meeting with the FDA in Q1 2026 to discuss advancing pelareorep into a registration-directed clinical study, paving the way for accelerated approval if the observed data can be replicated.
- Strategic Investment and Expansion: The company is enhancing its strategic positioning in gastrointestinal oncology by expanding its Scientific Advisory Board, further solidifying its market presence in anal cancer and other indications.
See More
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals (ZNTL) Surges 17.65% as Investors Renew Interest
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Surge: Zentalis Pharmaceuticals' stock rose 17.65% to $4.40 in after-hours trading, with no new news but bolstered by a corporate update on January 6, 2026, highlighting key milestones in its azenosertib development program, which has renewed investor confidence in its pipeline progress.
- LifeMD Secures Financing: LifeMD's stock climbed 12.18% to $4.33 following the announcement of a new senior secured revolving credit facility with Citizens Bank, providing up to $50 million in total availability, with $30 million committed, which is expected to support the company's organic growth initiatives.
- NanoViricides Attracts Speculative Interest: NanoViricides' stock advanced 11.11% to $1.24, drawing speculative interest in after-hours trading despite no new announcements, indicating ongoing market enthusiasm for biotech companies.
- Neurogene Participates in Healthcare Conference: Neurogene's stock increased 2.06% to $18.29 as the management team prepares to present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, enhancing market expectations for its future developments.
See More
China SXT Pharmaceuticals Launches AI Initiative, Stock Rises 13.6%
- AI Initiative Launch: China SXT Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of its Strategic AI Insights Initiative, resulting in a 13.6% stock increase to $1.42, adding $0.17, aimed at integrating AI-driven analytics into product portfolio planning, thereby enhancing the company's innovation capabilities in modern traditional Chinese medicine.
- Acquisition Speculation Boost: Revolution Medicines' stock surged 15.1% to $123.65 following reports that Merck is in talks to acquire the company, while the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to its zoldonrasib, further boosting market confidence.
- Optimistic Revenue Forecast: KalVista Pharmaceuticals reported preliminary unaudited global net product revenue results for Q4 and full year 2025, leading to a 14.0% stock increase to $18.04, reflecting investor optimism about the company's future performance.
- Clinical Progress Presentation: Sagimet Biosciences announced plans to present clinical trial results for its FASN inhibitor denifanstat at the upcoming MASH-TAG Conference, resulting in a 7.7% stock increase to $6.00, indicating market interest in its anti-fibrotic therapy potential.
See More
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals' Azenosertib Set for Key Milestones in 2026
- Clinical Trial Progress: Zentalis has completed enrollment in the DENALI Part 2a trial for Azenosertib in Cyclin E1-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, with dose confirmation expected in 1H 2026 and topline data by year-end, potentially supporting accelerated FDA approval.
- Market Demand: Cyclin E1-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer accounts for about half of all PROC cases, with patients facing limited treatment options and poor outcomes, making Azenosertib's development crucial to address this significant unmet medical need.
- New Trial Initiation: Zentalis plans to initiate the ASPENOVA Phase 3 randomized confirmatory trial in 1H 2026, running concurrently with DENALI Part 2, to compare Azenosertib with standard chemotherapy, further validating its clinical value.
- Stock Performance: ZNTL shares have traded between $1.01 and $3.06 over the past year, closing yesterday at $1.78, up 29.92%, and further rising to $1.83 in after-hours trading, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding its future prospects.
See More
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Reveals Inducement Grants in Accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
Stock Options Granted: Zentalis Pharmaceuticals granted non-qualified stock options to a newly hired employee, totaling 17,000 shares, under its 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan.
Exercise Price and Vesting: The stock options have an exercise price of $1.44 per share, with a 10-year term and a vesting schedule that includes 25% vesting after one year and the remainder vesting monthly over three years.
Company Overview: Zentalis is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing azenosertib, a WEE1 inhibitor for ovarian cancer and other tumor types, which has shown promise in clinical trials.
Research and Development: The company is exploring additional applications for azenosertib beyond platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, leveraging its expertise in biopharmaceutical research.
See More
