Verastem (NASDAQ:VSTM) Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSTM) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of small‐molecule therapies for the treatment of cancer. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Verastem Oncology was founded in 2010 to advance a pipeline of targeted agents designed to inhibit key signaling pathways that drive tumor growth and survival. The company’s initial success centered on duvelisib (Copiktra®), an oral PI3K‐delta/gamma inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain hematologic malignancies. Although commercial rights to Copiktra were subsequently transferred, this program laid the foundation for Verastem’s shift toward precision oncology.
Presently, Verastem Oncology’s research and development efforts are concentrated on two lead assets: VS-6766, a dual RAF/MEK inhibitor, and defactinib, a focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor. These orally administered small molecules are being evaluated both as single agents and in combination regimens across a variety of genetically defined solid tumors, including KRAS‐mutant non-small cell lung cancer, biliary tract cancer, and gynecologic malignancies. The company’s approach leverages the concept of synthetic lethality—targeting complementary pathways to maximize tumor cell death while minimizing resistance.
Verastem Oncology conducts clinical trials primarily in the United States, with select studies in Europe and Asia to ensure broad patient access and to generate data that support global regulatory submissions. The company collaborates with leading academic institutions and research consortia to identify biomarkers that predict response to therapy and to refine patient selection strategies. These partnerships aim to accelerate the path to registration and enhance the clinical benefit of Verastem’s targeted therapies.
Under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Gisela Schwab, Verastem Oncology emphasizes operational discipline and scientific rigor. The management team combines expertise in oncology drug development, regulatory affairs, and commercial strategy. Guided by a multidisciplinary board of directors and seasoned advisory panels, the company continues to expand its pipeline through in‐licensing, strategic collaborations, and disciplined internal discovery programs, with the goal of delivering innovative treatment options for patients facing serious cancers.
