Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST)

The Mission Statement, Vision, and Core Values of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) are not just corporate boilerplate; they are the bedrock for a clinical-stage oncology company operating with a tight cash runway and a $46.7 million market capitalization as of late October 2025. This company is focused on developing first-in-class small molecule therapeutics to fight cancer, but what does that mission look like when your year-to-date net loss is $22.2 million and your cash position is down to $7.5 million as of September 30, 2025? Can a biotech firm truly deliver on a vision of transforming cancer treatment while simultaneously pursuing a strategic alternatives process to maximize stockholder value? Let's dig into the core principles guiding their high-stakes decisions.

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) Overview

You need to know the hard facts about a clinical-stage biotech like Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST), because their value isn't in today's sales, but in tomorrow's pipeline. This company, founded in 2011 and based in Brisbane, California, is a clinical-stage oncology firm focused on developing first-in-class small molecule therapeutics to fight cancer.

Their strategy is smart: they develop drugs that both directly kill tumor cells and activate the immune system. The two main candidates driving their valuation are amezalpat (TPST-1120), which targets tumor metabolism, and TPST-1495, which blocks immune-suppressing signals in the tumor microenvironment. Amezalpat is in a randomized global study for first-line liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a huge, unmet medical need.

Here's the quick math on their current commercial standing: as a clinical-stage company, Tempest Therapeutics is not yet generating product revenue. Wall Street analysts currently forecast 2025 revenue at $0, which is typical for a biotech focused on getting its lead candidates through trials. Their sales are essentially future-dated, tied to successful clinical milestones and eventual commercialization.

2025 Financial Performance: Strategic Reprioritization

When you look at a biotech's financials, you don't look for revenue; you look for cash runway and spending discipline. The latest Q3 2025 report, released in November 2025, shows Tempest Therapeutics is laser-focused on preserving capital and advancing its core programs, which is defintely the right move right now.

The company reported a net loss of $3.5 million for the third quarter of 2025, a significant improvement from the $10.6 million net loss in the same period a year prior. This isn't a sign of new sales, but of tight financial controls. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the total net loss was $22.2 million, down from $28.0 million year-to-date in 2024.

This reduction in loss is mainly due to a sharp cut in research and development (R&D) expenses, which dropped by $5.6 million to $12.1 million for the first nine months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. They are actively exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value, which is a near-term opportunity but also a risk. Still, they ended Q3 2025 with $7.5 million in cash and cash equivalents.

• Q3 2025 Net Loss: $3.5 million.
• YTD 2025 R&D Expenses: $12.1 million.
• Cash Balance (Sept 30, 2025): $7.5 million.

Tempest Therapeutics: A Key Player in Oncology's Future

Tempest Therapeutics is positioning itself as a key player in the next wave of oncology treatment, specifically in the complex field of immuno-oncology. They are not a market leader in the traditional sense yet, but their focus on first-in-class small molecule therapies gives them a strong competitive edge. Their lead candidate, amezalpat, has already received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for HCC, which streamlines the path to market.

The company is translating complex biological insights into clinical realities, which is the core of success in this industry. Plus, their strategic acquisition of new dual-CAR T programs in November 2025 shows they are expanding their therapeutic portfolio, projecting a runway extension to mid-2027. This move is a clear action to diversify and deepen their long-term value proposition.

To be fair, the biotech space is tough, but a focused pipeline and a disciplined financial approach, even with a zero-revenue profile, is how you build a future leader. You can find out more about their financial health and the implications of their cash position and spending strategy here: Breaking Down Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) Mission Statement

You're looking for the bedrock of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc.'s strategy, and that starts with their mission. While the company is a clinical-stage biotechnology firm, its mission is clear: to develop first-in-class targeted and immune-mediated therapeutics to fight cancer. This isn't just a corporate tagline; it's the lens through which every major decision, from pipeline prioritization to the recent acquisition, is made. It guides their long-term goal of translating complex science into tangible, life-extending treatments for patients with a range of tumors.

This mission is particularly significant now, as the company navigates a critical juncture. The focus on 'first-in-class' means they are chasing high-risk, high-reward programs, which is why their financial health-like the $10.9 million net loss reported in Q1 2025-is directly tied to their R&D spend. To understand their future, you need to break down the three core components of this guiding principle. If you want to dive deeper into the financial mechanics of their strategic shifts, you can read our analysis here: Breaking Down Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Pioneering First-in-Class Therapeutics (Innovation)

The first core component is an unwavering commitment to innovation, specifically in creating 'first-in-class' small molecule product candidates. This means developing new therapeutic mechanisms, not just improving existing ones. Tempest Therapeutics isn't interested in me-too drugs; they want to change the treatment paradigm.

Here's the quick math on that commitment: Research and development (R&D) expenses for Q1 2025 were $7.6 million, a significant increase from the same period in 2024, largely due to preparation for the pivotal Phase 3 trial of their lead candidate, amezalpat (TPST-1120). This investment directly funds the pursuit of novel mechanisms, such as amezalpat's role as a clinical PPARα antagonist, which reduces immunosuppression and activates the immune system to attack tumors.

Plus, the strategic acquisition announced on November 19, 2025, of dual-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T programs from Factor Bioscience, Inc., further cements this focus. This deal, which involved issuing 8,268,495 shares to an affiliate of Factor (representing 65% of outstanding shares), immediately expanded their pipeline into the high-potential cell therapy space with TPST-2003. That's a huge, defintely non-trivial bet on next-generation oncology. The goal is to develop novel therapeutics with broad potential benefit for cancer patients.

Delivering Meaningful Patient Benefit (Impact)

The second pillar is the ultimate outcome: delivering meaningful benefit to patients facing cancer. For a clinical-stage company, the clearest measure of this commitment is regulatory validation and clinical progress, which is a proxy for future product quality and impact.

The company's progress in 2025 shows this commitment is paying off in key areas:

• Amezalpat (TPST-1120) received both Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or first-line liver cancer. These designations are only granted when a drug addresses a serious condition and has the potential to fill an unmet medical need.
• TPST-1495 was granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA for treating familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a rare, inherited condition that often leads to colorectal cancer.
• The company secured clearance in China to proceed with a pivotal trial of amezalpat combination therapy for first-line HCC, expanding on similar clearances from the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

These milestones reflect a clear, patient-centric drive to expedite the development of therapies for serious, life-threatening diseases. You can see the tangible results of their work in the clinic, which is what matters most for a biotech.

Strategic Stewardship and Value Maximization (Stewardship)

The third core value, particularly evident in 2025, is strategic stewardship-managing capital and assets to maximize stockholder value and advance clinical programs. As a smaller biotech, resource management is crucial to extend the cash runway (the time until they run out of money).

The company has been actively exploring a full range of strategic alternatives, including partnerships and mergers, to advance its pipeline. This is a necessary, realistic step in the biotech world. The financial results from the nine months ended September 30, 2025, show a net loss of $(22.2) million, which is an improvement-a 21% decrease compared to the same period in 2024-due to strategic cost reductions and reprioritization. The loss from operations for Q3 2025 was only $(3.6) million, a 66% decrease from Q3 2024. They are getting leaner.

The acquisition of the dual-CAR T programs, coupled with an investment commitment from Factor, is projected to extend the company's cash runway to mid-2027. This single action demonstrates a commitment to both innovation and financial prudence, ensuring the company has the capital to hit value-creating milestones. It's a smart move to keep the science moving while managing the burn rate.

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) Vision Statement

You're looking for the true north of Tempest Therapeutics, and as a seasoned analyst, I can tell you it's less about a framed poster and more about their recent, high-stakes actions. The core takeaway is this: the company's vision is a dual mandate-to become a multi-platform oncology leader while aggressively extending its financial runway, a critical move underscored by the November 2025 acquisition.

Their vision, synthesized from their public statements and the massive Factor Bioscience deal, is to be a global, multi-platform oncology leader delivering first-in-class therapies that drive meaningful patient impact and maximize stockholder value. This isn't just biotech jargon; it's a roadmap for how they plan to spend the cash they have left.

Pioneering First-in-Class Targeted Therapeutics (Mission)

The mission is the engine, and for Tempest Therapeutics, it's about developing 'first-in-class' small molecule therapeutics that fight cancer through both tumor-targeted and immune-mediated mechanisms. The focus is on novel science. You see this in their flagship program, amezalpat (TPST-1120), a clinical PPAR$\alpha$ antagonist (a drug that blocks a specific protein receptor) that has shown a dual mechanism of action, reducing immunosuppression and activating the immune system to attack tumors.

The near-term, actionable part of this mission is advancing amezalpat's pivotal trial for first-line hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer. They've secured clearances to proceed with this pivotal trial in major global markets, including the U.S., Europe (EMA), and China. This global reach is a huge signal of their intent. Honestly, the clinical progress is strong, but the capital needed to execute a global Phase 3 trial is immense. You can read more about their history and strategy here: Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money.

Maximizing Value and Extending Runway (Vision)

The vision component of 'maximizing stockholder value' is where the financial realism of 2025 comes in. The company's financial health dictated a major strategic pivot. Here's the quick math on why: for the six months ended June 30, 2025, the company reported a net loss of $18.7 million. Their cash and cash equivalents dropped from $30.3 million at the end of 2024 to $14.3 million by June 30, 2025. That burn rate is unsustainable for a pivotal-stage company.

So, the November 2025 acquisition of the dual-CAR T programs from Factor Bioscience was a calculated, high-risk move to fundamentally change the value proposition and extend their financial life. The deal, which involved issuing 8,268,495 shares (a whopping 65% of outstanding common stock) to a Factor affiliate, is expected to extend their cash runway to mid-2027. That's a huge extension, but it came with significant dilution, which is why the stock price reacted sharply. What this estimate hides is the need for additional financing or a partnership to fully fund the amezalpat pivotal trial, even with the extended runway.

Strategic Agility and Fiscal Discipline (Core Values)

Their core values aren't just words; they are reflected in the tough decisions made throughout 2025. You can infer three core values driving the team:

• Patient-Centric Urgency: Pushing TPST-1495, an EP2/4 antagonist, into a Phase 2 trial for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) after receiving FDA Orphan Drug designation. This shows a commitment to rare, high-unmet-need diseases.
• Strategic Agility: The willingness to explore a 'full range of strategic alternatives' and then execute a transformative, all-stock acquisition in November 2025. They didn't wait for the cash to run out.
• Fiscal Discipline: Announcing cost-cutting measures and a reduction in force in April 2025 to preserve capital. This is a necessary, defintely painful, sign of a management team focused on survival and long-term value.

This strategic agility is their real strength right now. They pivoted from a pure small-molecule pipeline to a diversified portfolio including the dual-CAR T program (TPST-2003), which has completed a Phase 1 trial in relapsed multiple myeloma (rrMM). The new leadership, with Dr. Matt Angel stepping in as President and CEO upon closing, signals a fresh commitment to this expanded, two-pronged approach.

The next concrete step is clear: Finance and the new leadership team need to secure the partnership or additional financing for the amezalpat pivotal trial by the end of Q1 2026, or the runway extension will only fund the CAR T programs.

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) Core Values

You're looking at Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) and trying to map their operational decisions to a clear value system. This is smart. In the volatile biotech space, a company's actions-especially during financial stress-speak volumes about its true priorities. What I see, having tracked companies like this for two decades, are three non-negotiable core values driving their strategy in 2025: Patient-Centric Innovation, Scientific Rigor & Collaboration, and Strategic Stewardship.

The company is a clinical-stage oncology firm, so their entire existence is about proving a drug works. Everything else is secondary, but still critical. Their recent moves, including the exploration of strategic alternatives and the latest acquisition, show a clear, decisive focus on these three pillars. Breaking Down Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors will show you the financial backdrop, but here's how their values guide the ship.

Patient-Centric Innovation

The ultimate metric for a biotech company is patient benefit. Tempest Therapeutics' core value here is a relentless pursuit of therapies that offer a meaningful survival advantage, especially for cancers with poor prognoses. They don't just develop drugs; they aim to transform treatment options. This is a life-or-death business, and that focus is defintely clear.

Amezalpat (TPST-1120), their lead program, is the prime example. The positive randomized Phase 2 data in first-line hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-a very aggressive liver cancer-showed patients receiving the combination therapy had a median overall survival of 21 months, compared to only 15 months for those on the standard treatment alone. That six-month improvement is a massive win for patients and their families. This commitment to patients also secured key regulatory designations in 2025, including Orphan Drug and Fast Track status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for amezalpat.

• Focus on life-saving therapies, not just incremental gains.
• Amezalpat showed a 6-month overall survival benefit in Phase 2.
• Secured Fast Track designation for expedited patient access.

Scientific Rigor & Collaboration

In oncology, a drug's success hinges on its mechanism of action (MOA) and validation through top-tier partnerships. Tempest Therapeutics demonstrates scientific rigor by focusing on novel, dual-mechanism small molecules that both directly kill tumor cells and activate the immune system. They don't cut corners on the science, even when capital markets are tight.

Their commitment to external validation is strong. In 2025, they presented new amezalpat MOA data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, which reinforced the drug's potential by showing it reduced immunosuppression. Also, the Phase 2 trial for TPST-1495 in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is being done in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network. This isn't just a cost-saving measure; it's a strategic move that validates the science by putting it in the hands of leading cancer research institutions. This collaborative approach is a hallmark of a mature biotech operation.

• Validate science through peer-reviewed data and top-tier partners.
• Collaborating with NCI on the TPST-1495 Phase 2 trial.
• Presented new MOA data at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting.

Strategic Stewardship

A clinical-stage company with no revenue must be a fierce steward of its capital. The third core value is the commitment to maximizing stockholder value, especially in a challenging financial climate. This is where the rubber meets the road for investors.

The company started 2025 with $30.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, but by the end of Q3 2025, that figure had dropped to $7.5 million. Here's the quick math: the net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $22.2 million. Facing this, management made a hard but necessary decision to explore strategic alternatives-mergers, acquisitions, or partnerships-to secure the resources needed to advance their promising pipeline. This decision led to a significant decrease in Research and Development (R&D) expenses in Q3 2025 to only $0.6 million, down from $7.6 million in the same quarter of 2024, as they re-prioritized. The ultimate action, announced in November 2025, was the strategic acquisition of new Dual-CAR T programs from Factor, which simultaneously extended their cash runway to a projected mid-2027. That's a clear action to protect and grow shareholder capital.

• Actively exploring strategic alternatives to maximize value.
• Cash position ended Q3 2025 at $7.5 million.
• November 2025 acquisition extended cash runway to mid-2027.

Next Step: Your team should model the projected dilution and potential upside of the new Dual-CAR T programs, factoring in the extended runway. Owner: Portfolio Manager: update valuation models by end of next week.