Kura and Kyowa Kirin Announce New Advances in AML Treatment
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 02 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Clinical Trial Results: In the KOMET-007 trial, the objective response rate (ORR) for patients who had not previously received venetoclax reached 87% with the combination of ziftomenib, venetoclax, and azacitidine, indicating significant efficacy and potential for treating relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- Durable Responses: Among patients without prior venetoclax exposure, 75% of complete remission (CRc) responders achieved central measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity, with a median CRc duration of 9.2 months, demonstrating the depth and durability of response that could enhance patient quality of life.
- Good Safety Profile: The triplet combination exhibited a favorable safety profile across all dose levels, with a low differentiation syndrome incidence of only 3% and minimal QTc prolongation, supporting its feasibility in clinical applications and reducing safety risks for patients.
- Future Research Directions: Kura and Kyowa Kirin plan to continue evaluating ziftomenib combinations in newly diagnosed AML patients, emphasizing the urgent need for more effective treatment options, potentially offering new hope for AML patients.
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Analyst Views on KURA
Wall Street analysts forecast KURA stock price to rise
10 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 8.560
Low
16.00
Averages
29.71
High
40.00
Current: 8.560
Low
16.00
Averages
29.71
High
40.00
About KURA
Kura Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on precision medicine for the treatment of cancer. Its pipeline consists of small molecule product candidates that target cancer signaling pathways. Its product candidates include KOMZIFTI (Ziftomenib), Tipifarnib, and Darlifarnib (KO-2806). Ziftomenib, is a potent, selective, reversible and oral small molecule inhibitor that blocks the interaction of two proteins, menin and the protein expressed by the Lysine K-specific Methyl Transferase 2A gene, or KMT2A gene. Ziftomenib is a selective investigational inhibitor of the menin-KMT2A protein-protein interaction for the treatment of genetically defined subsets of acute leukemias. Tipifarnib is a potent, selective and orally bioavailable farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI). The KO-2806 is an FTI, is being evaluated in a Phase I first-in-human trial as a monotherapy and in combination with other targeted therapies.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Kura Oncology Grants Stock Options to New Employees
- Stock Option Grant: On June 1, 2026, Kura Oncology granted 53,000 nonstatutory stock options to four new employees as an inducement for their employment, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
- Exercise Price Set: Each stock option has an exercise price of $9.04 per share, matching the closing price of the company's common stock on June 1, 2026, reflecting the company's commitment to incentivizing new hires.
- Vesting Arrangement: The stock options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary and the remaining shares vesting monthly over 36 months, ensuring continued employee service to the company.
- Company Background: Kura Oncology focuses on precision medicine, developing small molecule drugs targeting cancer signaling pathways to address high-need hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
See More
Kura and Kyowa Kirin Announce New Advances in AML Treatment
- Clinical Trial Results: In the KOMET-007 trial, the objective response rate (ORR) for patients who had not previously received venetoclax reached 87% with the combination of ziftomenib, venetoclax, and azacitidine, indicating significant efficacy and potential for treating relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- Durable Responses: Among patients without prior venetoclax exposure, 75% of complete remission (CRc) responders achieved central measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity, with a median CRc duration of 9.2 months, demonstrating the depth and durability of response that could enhance patient quality of life.
- Good Safety Profile: The triplet combination exhibited a favorable safety profile across all dose levels, with a low differentiation syndrome incidence of only 3% and minimal QTc prolongation, supporting its feasibility in clinical applications and reducing safety risks for patients.
- Future Research Directions: Kura and Kyowa Kirin plan to continue evaluating ziftomenib combinations in newly diagnosed AML patients, emphasizing the urgent need for more effective treatment options, potentially offering new hope for AML patients.
See More
Kura Oncology Reports Positive Phase 1 Trial Results for Darlifarnib
- Trial Results: Kura Oncology's FIT-001 trial shows significant anti-tumor activity with the combination of darlifarnib and adagrasib in heavily pre-treated patients with KRAS G12C-mutated advanced solid tumors, with 77% of patients achieving tumor shrinkage, indicating the efficacy of this combination therapy.
- Response Rates: Among 26 response-evaluable patients, the objective response rates were 67% in PDAC, 50% in NSCLC, and 29% in KRASi-naïve CRC, highlighting the potential of darlifarnib, particularly in heavily pre-treated patients.
- Safety and Tolerability: The combination therapy demonstrated a manageable safety profile, with good tolerability in the clinical trial, and median follow-up times of 6.7 months for PDAC, 6.9 months for NSCLC, and 8.9 months for CRC, further validating its clinical mechanism.
- Future Outlook: Kura Oncology plans to present the FIT-001 trial results at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, which is expected to further advance its FTI platform and enhance the company's competitiveness in the precision medicine sector.
See More
Kura Oncology Reports Promising Results for Darlifarnib in Cancer Treatment
- Clinical Trial Results: In the FIT-001 trial, 77% of response-evaluable patients achieved tumor shrinkage, particularly in heavily pretreated and KRAS inhibitor-experienced patients, indicating darlifarnib's potential as a precision combination agent that could transform treatment strategies.
- Objective Response Rates: The objective response rate (ORR) was 67% in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, 50% in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 29% in KRAS inhibitor-naïve colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, demonstrating the drug's efficacy across multiple difficult-to-treat tumor types.
- Safety and Tolerability: The combination therapy exhibited a manageable safety profile, with 37% of patients remaining on treatment at the data cutoff, indicating good tolerability and laying the groundwork for further clinical development.
- Future Outlook: Kura Oncology plans to host a virtual investor event on June 3, 2026, to further discuss the combination therapy of darlifarnib and adagrasib, which is expected to advance treatment for KRAS-mutated cancers.
See More
Kura Oncology Reports Strong Q1 2026 Earnings with $5.8M Revenue
- Revenue Exceeds Expectations: Kura Oncology generated $5.8 million in net product revenue in Q1 2026, surpassing expectations, with 85 new patient starts indicating growing acceptance of KOMZIFTI in the market.
- Significant Coverage Improvement: The company secured coverage for over 93% of insured lives at parity or better without label restrictions, greatly enhancing its competitive position and facilitating sales growth.
- Increased R&D Spending: R&D expenses reached $65.3 million, with selling and administrative expenses at $31.6 million in Q1, yet the company maintains its guidance for collaboration revenue of $45 million to $55 million in 2026, reflecting confidence in future growth.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Kura expects collaboration revenue to reach $90 million to $110 million from 2026 to 2028, with cash and short-term investments totaling $580.8 million, sufficient to support its AML program through anticipated top-line results from KOMET-017 in 2028.
See More
Kura Oncology Reports Q1 2026 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Product Revenue Growth: Kura Oncology reported $5.8 million in product revenue from KOMZIFTI in Q1 2026, exceeding expectations and indicating strong physician adoption and repeat prescriptions, thereby enhancing the company's market position across treatment centers.
- R&D Expenses Increase: Research and development expenses rose to $65.3 million in Q1 2026, up from $56 million in Q1 2025, primarily driven by ziftomenib combination trials, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to innovative drug development.
- Widening Net Loss: Kura's net loss for Q1 2026 was $73.3 million, significantly higher than the $57.4 million loss in Q1 2025, indicating increased financial pressure during commercialization that could impact future financing capabilities.
- Cash Reserves Decline: As of March 31, 2026, the company's cash and short-term investments decreased to $580.8 million from $667.2 million at the end of 2025, highlighting financial strain from operational and R&D expenditures that may limit future expansion plans.
See More
Kura Oncology Grants Stock Options to New Employees
- Stock Option Grant: On June 1, 2026, Kura Oncology granted 53,000 nonstatutory stock options to four new employees as an inducement for their employment, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
- Exercise Price Set: Each stock option has an exercise price of $9.04 per share, matching the closing price of the company's common stock on June 1, 2026, reflecting the company's commitment to incentivizing new hires.
- Vesting Arrangement: The stock options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary and the remaining shares vesting monthly over 36 months, ensuring continued employee service to the company.
- Company Background: Kura Oncology focuses on precision medicine, developing small molecule drugs targeting cancer signaling pathways to address high-need hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
See More
Kura and Kyowa Kirin Announce New Advances in AML Treatment
- Clinical Trial Results: In the KOMET-007 trial, the objective response rate (ORR) for patients who had not previously received venetoclax reached 87% with the combination of ziftomenib, venetoclax, and azacitidine, indicating significant efficacy and potential for treating relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- Durable Responses: Among patients without prior venetoclax exposure, 75% of complete remission (CRc) responders achieved central measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity, with a median CRc duration of 9.2 months, demonstrating the depth and durability of response that could enhance patient quality of life.
- Good Safety Profile: The triplet combination exhibited a favorable safety profile across all dose levels, with a low differentiation syndrome incidence of only 3% and minimal QTc prolongation, supporting its feasibility in clinical applications and reducing safety risks for patients.
- Future Research Directions: Kura and Kyowa Kirin plan to continue evaluating ziftomenib combinations in newly diagnosed AML patients, emphasizing the urgent need for more effective treatment options, potentially offering new hope for AML patients.
See More
Kura Oncology Reports Positive Phase 1 Trial Results for Darlifarnib
- Trial Results: Kura Oncology's FIT-001 trial shows significant anti-tumor activity with the combination of darlifarnib and adagrasib in heavily pre-treated patients with KRAS G12C-mutated advanced solid tumors, with 77% of patients achieving tumor shrinkage, indicating the efficacy of this combination therapy.
- Response Rates: Among 26 response-evaluable patients, the objective response rates were 67% in PDAC, 50% in NSCLC, and 29% in KRASi-naïve CRC, highlighting the potential of darlifarnib, particularly in heavily pre-treated patients.
- Safety and Tolerability: The combination therapy demonstrated a manageable safety profile, with good tolerability in the clinical trial, and median follow-up times of 6.7 months for PDAC, 6.9 months for NSCLC, and 8.9 months for CRC, further validating its clinical mechanism.
- Future Outlook: Kura Oncology plans to present the FIT-001 trial results at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, which is expected to further advance its FTI platform and enhance the company's competitiveness in the precision medicine sector.
See More
Kura Oncology Reports Promising Results for Darlifarnib in Cancer Treatment
- Clinical Trial Results: In the FIT-001 trial, 77% of response-evaluable patients achieved tumor shrinkage, particularly in heavily pretreated and KRAS inhibitor-experienced patients, indicating darlifarnib's potential as a precision combination agent that could transform treatment strategies.
- Objective Response Rates: The objective response rate (ORR) was 67% in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, 50% in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 29% in KRAS inhibitor-naïve colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, demonstrating the drug's efficacy across multiple difficult-to-treat tumor types.
- Safety and Tolerability: The combination therapy exhibited a manageable safety profile, with 37% of patients remaining on treatment at the data cutoff, indicating good tolerability and laying the groundwork for further clinical development.
- Future Outlook: Kura Oncology plans to host a virtual investor event on June 3, 2026, to further discuss the combination therapy of darlifarnib and adagrasib, which is expected to advance treatment for KRAS-mutated cancers.
See More
Kura Oncology Reports Strong Q1 2026 Earnings with $5.8M Revenue
- Revenue Exceeds Expectations: Kura Oncology generated $5.8 million in net product revenue in Q1 2026, surpassing expectations, with 85 new patient starts indicating growing acceptance of KOMZIFTI in the market.
- Significant Coverage Improvement: The company secured coverage for over 93% of insured lives at parity or better without label restrictions, greatly enhancing its competitive position and facilitating sales growth.
- Increased R&D Spending: R&D expenses reached $65.3 million, with selling and administrative expenses at $31.6 million in Q1, yet the company maintains its guidance for collaboration revenue of $45 million to $55 million in 2026, reflecting confidence in future growth.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Kura expects collaboration revenue to reach $90 million to $110 million from 2026 to 2028, with cash and short-term investments totaling $580.8 million, sufficient to support its AML program through anticipated top-line results from KOMET-017 in 2028.
See More
Kura Oncology Reports Q1 2026 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Product Revenue Growth: Kura Oncology reported $5.8 million in product revenue from KOMZIFTI in Q1 2026, exceeding expectations and indicating strong physician adoption and repeat prescriptions, thereby enhancing the company's market position across treatment centers.
- R&D Expenses Increase: Research and development expenses rose to $65.3 million in Q1 2026, up from $56 million in Q1 2025, primarily driven by ziftomenib combination trials, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to innovative drug development.
- Widening Net Loss: Kura's net loss for Q1 2026 was $73.3 million, significantly higher than the $57.4 million loss in Q1 2025, indicating increased financial pressure during commercialization that could impact future financing capabilities.
- Cash Reserves Decline: As of March 31, 2026, the company's cash and short-term investments decreased to $580.8 million from $667.2 million at the end of 2025, highlighting financial strain from operational and R&D expenditures that may limit future expansion plans.
See More
