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Kura Oncology
Leading the Menin Inhibitor Race and Next Generation of Precision Medicine
Key Highlights
- Menin Inhibitor Race: Among competitors, Kura’s ziftomenib stands to be best-in-class. The latest encouraging data on ziftomenib as a combination therapy with standard of care therapy, cytarabine plus daunorubicin (7+3), in NPM1-mutant and KMT2A rearranged AML included a 100% CR rate. Ziftomenib also received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation as a monotherapy in relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutant AML. Kura is set to present additional Phase 1a combination data from KOMET-007 by the end of the year.
- $1.2B Vote of Confidence: In November, Kura entered into a $1.2 billion partnership with Kyowa Kirin to develop and commercialize Ziftomenib outside of the US. Kura received $330 million upfront and expects to receive up to $420 million in near-term milestone payments, including a payment upon the launch of ziftomenib in the monotherapy relapsed/refractory setting. In addition, Kura is eligible to receive additional development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments of $741 million, totaling up to $1.161 billion in payments for milestones and the opt-in for solid tumor indications.
- Specialists in the long game: Kura continues to progress with stability and rigor. In 2024 they announced a $150M private placement, fueling the company as they continue potentially practice-changing research.
- Key Events in 2025:
- Pivotal topline data from KOMET-001 of ziftomenib in relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutant AML
- Continued expansion of KOMET-007 Phase 1b trial with ziftomenib in dose escalation combination with 7+3 and venetoclax and azacitidine (ven/aza)
- Initiation of proof-of-concept study for ziftomenib in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), the first target of solid tumors for ziftomenib
- Nomination of next generation menin inhibitor; research will be conducted in additional oncology targets as well as diabetes
- Present data from KURRENT-HN trial of tipifarnib and alpelisib in PIK3CA-dependent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)