Kura Oncology Reports Preclinical Data Highlighting Synergistic Activity of Menin Inhibitor KO-539 in Combination with Venetoclax
Kura Oncology Reports Preclinical Data Highlighting Synergistic Activity of Menin Inhibitor KO-539 in Combination with Venetoclax
12-13-2021
The new findings, generated through a research collaboration with Dr.
KO-539 has previously been shown to disrupt the menin-KMT2A/MLL protein-protein interaction, inducing differentiation and potent anti-leukemic activity in genetically defined preclinical models of AML. The new preclinical data confirm that treatment with KO-539 drives dose-dependent induction of growth inhibition, differentiation and loss of viability of AML cells with KMT2A rearrangements or NPM1 mutations, while also reducing key protein levels such as MEIS1, FLT3 and BCL2 and menin itself.
In addition, the new findings show that co-treatment with KO-539 and the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax induces synergistic activity in patient-derived AML cells expressing KMT2A rearrangements or NPM1 mutations, with or without mutant FLT3 expression, and prolongs survival in an aggressive disseminated model of KMT2A-rearranged, FLT3-mutant AML.
“Although the combination of venetoclax and azacitidine has ushered in a new standard of care, there remains a significant unmet need for patients with AML,” said
About KO-539
KO-539 is a novel, once-daily, oral investigational drug candidate targeting the menin-KMT2A/MLL protein-protein interaction for treatment of genetically defined AML patients with high unmet need. KO-539 is currently in a Phase 1b clinical trial (KOMET-001) for patients with relapsed/refractory AML, including patients with NPM1 mutations or KMT2A rearrangements. In
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Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the efficacy, safety and therapeutic potential of KO-539, and the potential for KO-539 synergistic activity in combination. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include the risk that compounds that appeared promising in early research or clinical trials do not demonstrate safety and/or efficacy in later preclinical studies or clinical trials, the risk that Kura may not obtain approval to market its product candidates, uncertainties associated with performing clinical trials, regulatory filings, applications and other interactions with regulatory bodies, risks associated with reliance on third parties to successfully conduct clinical trials, the risks associated with reliance on outside financing to meet capital requirements, and other risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs. You are urged to consider statements that include the words “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “promise,” “potential,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “continues,” “designed,” “goal,” or the negative of those words or other comparable words to be uncertain and forward-looking. For a further list and description of the risks and uncertainties the Company faces, please refer to the Company's periodic and other filings with the
Contacts
Company:
Vice President, Investor Relations &
Corporate Communications
(858) 500-8803
pete@kuraoncology.com
Investors:
Managing Director
Westwicke ICR
(858) 356-5932
robert.uhl@westwicke.com
Media:
Managing Director
(619) 849-6005
jason@canalecomm.com
Source: Kura Oncology, Inc.