Kura Oncology and development partner Kyowa Kirin announced positive topline results from their registrational KOMET-001 study evaluating ziftomenib in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), setting the stage for a regulatory submission later this year.
The oral menin inhibitor achieved its primary endpoint, demonstrating efficacy in patients with relapsed or refractory AML harboring NPM1 mutations. The study measured complete response (CR) plus CR with partial hematological recovery (CRh) as its primary outcome measure.
While specific efficacy data were not disclosed due to upcoming conference presentation rules, the companies reported that ziftomenib's benefit-risk profile was highly encouraging. The safety and tolerability findings aligned with previously reported data from earlier studies.
Clinical Impact and Market Implications
Industry analysts from Mizuho Securities provided context for the trial's success, noting that KOMET-001 was powered to detect a CR/CRh rate of 20-30%. The planned submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) in the second quarter of 2024 has reinforced analyst confidence that the response rates fall within this expected range.
Despite the positive clinical milestone, market response was tepid, with Kura's stock declining approximately 6% in after-hours trading to $8.50 from the market close of $9.05. However, analysts characterized this market reaction as an overreaction, emphasizing that the decision to withhold specific data was primarily driven by conference presentation guidelines rather than concerns about the results.
Strategic Partnership and Development Plans
The successful trial results build upon the strategic partnership formed between Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin in November 2024. Under the terms of their agreement, Kyowa Kirin secured development and joint commercial rights for ziftomenib outside the United States for $330 million upfront, with potential additional payments of up to $420 million in near-term milestones and $741 million in developmental, regulatory, and commercial milestones.
Kura Oncology maintains responsibility for ziftomenib's development, regulatory processes, and commercialization within the U.S. market. The companies plan to present comprehensive data and analyses from KOMET-001 at a medical conference in the second quarter of this year, coinciding with their planned regulatory submission timeline.
