Kura Oncology and the Japanese drugmaker Kyowa Kirin have joined forces in a global partnership to work on Kura’s new treatment for acute leukemia. The drug, ziftomenib, is currently in a late-stage clinical trial for a specific type of advanced leukemia. Kyowa Kirin is paying $330 million to Kura for the licensing rights to this drug, with the potential for an additional $1.2 billion in milestone payments.
This collaboration between Kura and Kyowa comes shortly after Syndax Pharmaceuticals received approval in the U.S. for a similar drug, highlighting the competitive landscape in the industry. The partnership between Kura and Kyowa will bring together their expertise and resources to further develop and commercialize ziftomenib for the benefit of patients.
Adam Feuerstein, a senior writer and biotech columnist, covers the latest developments in drug development, business, and biotechnology. He provides insightful analysis on the biotech sector and is a co-host of the biotech podcast The Readout Loud. Additionally, he authors the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard, offering valuable insights into the industry.
This partnership between Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin holds great promise for advancing the treatment options available for patients with acute leukemia. With the combined efforts of these two companies and the potential financial incentives involved, there is hope for significant progress in addressing this challenging disease. Stay tuned for more updates on the development of ziftomenib and its potential impact on the field of oncology.
