** Shares of drug developer Janux Therapeutics JANX.O fall 44% to $18.99 premarket

** Co says early-stage trial of JANX007 in advanced prostate cancer met main goals with durable responses and manageable safety

** Shares drop as results aligned with analyst expectations but fell short of lofty buyside hopes, says brokerage BTIG

** JANX says men with advanced prostate cancer saw disease remain stable for about 8–9 months on JANX007

** In chemo-naive patients, drug led to rapid and significant declines in prostate-specific antigen, a key cancer marker

** Up to last close, stock down ~37% YTD

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru)

((Sahil.Pandey@thomsonreuters.com))