Kura Oncology (Nasdaq: KURA) has released its financial results for the third quarter of 2024, alongside key corporate updates highlighting the progress of its clinical programs. The company is focused on advancing precision medicines for cancer treatment, with several milestones anticipated in the near future.
Ziftomenib Clinical Trials
A primary focus is the ongoing clinical development of ziftomenib, a menin inhibitor. Kura Oncology expects to report topline results from the registration-directed Phase 2 KOMET-001 trial in early 2025. This trial evaluates ziftomenib in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). NPM1 mutations account for approximately 30% of new AML cases annually, representing a significant unmet medical need.
In December 2024, Kura plans to present data from over 100 patients in the Phase 1a dose-escalation study of ziftomenib at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. These data will cover ziftomenib in combination with standard-of-care treatments, including venetoclax plus azacitidine (ven/aza) and cytarabine plus daunorubicin (7+3), in both R/R AML and newly diagnosed adverse risk AML. The company believes the data support a potentially best-in-class safety and tolerability profile for ziftomenib.
The Phase 1b expansion study of ziftomenib is actively enrolling patients across all cohorts at a 600 mg dose. This study includes multiple combination cohorts, such as ziftomenib plus ven/aza in newly diagnosed NPM1-m or KMT2A-rearranged AML, and ziftomenib plus 7+3 in newly diagnosed NPM1-m or KMT2A-r AML without high-risk qualification. Preliminary data from this expansion study are expected to be presented at a medical meeting in 2025.
Expansion into GIST and NSCLC
Beyond AML, Kura Oncology is exploring the potential of ziftomenib in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Preclinical data presented at the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium showed that the combination of ziftomenib and imatinib demonstrated robust and durable antitumor activity in both imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant GIST models. Kura received FDA clearance for an Investigational New Drug application for ziftomenib in advanced GIST and plans to initiate a proof-of-concept study in the first half of 2025.
Kura Oncology has also begun dosing patients in a study evaluating KO-2806, a next-generation farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI), in combination with adagrasib in KRASG12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study is supported by a clinical collaboration with Mirati, now a Bristol Myers Squibb company.
Financial Position
For the third quarter of 2024, Kura Oncology reported a net loss of $54.4 million, compared to a net loss of $38.6 million for the same period in 2023. Research and development expenses increased to $41.7 million from $29.3 million, while general and administrative expenses rose to $18.2 million from $13.1 million. As of September 30, 2024, Kura had $455.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, which are expected to fund operations into 2027.
According to Troy Wilson, Ph.D., J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Kura Oncology, the company is in a strong position with important catalysts ahead. The focus remains on advancing ziftomenib and other pipeline candidates to address unmet needs in cancer treatment.
