Kura Oncology’s ziftomenib addresses a specific genetic mutation present in about 30% of cases of acute myeloid leukemia. Data from the drug’s pivotal Phase 2 test were presented during the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Kura Oncology already had a broad development plan for ziftomenib in leukemias, but the agreement with Kyowa Kirin provides the cash to execute it and a partner to commercialize the drug globally. Ziftomenib is in the same class of medicines as Syndax Pharmaceuticals’ Revuforj, which won FDA approval last week.
By reducing administrative burden and redesigning workflows around human needs, it creates space for what matters most: connection between clinicians and patients.
Orchard Therapeutics gene therapy Lenmeldy won FDA approval for treating the rare enzyme deficiency metachromatic leukodystrophy. In January, Kyowa Kirin completed its acquisition of Orchard, which now operates as a subsidiary of the Japanese drugmaker.
The Orchard Therapeutics acquisition comes as the biotech’s gene therapy for metachromatic leukodystrophy approaches a March 2024 FDA decision. The ex vivo gene therapy is already commercialized in Europe, marketed as Libmeldy.
Amgen is paying Kyowa Kirin $400 million to share in the development of a drug that could offer a new approach to treating atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema. The deal comes months after Japan-based Kyowa Kirin reported positive preliminary Phase 2 data for its antibody.