Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Ever heard of Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA) and wondered what they were all about? This pioneering biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing first-in-class small molecule drugs aimed at slowing tumor growth, but how exactly did they operate and make money? Dive in to explore their history, ownership structure, mission, and the unique mechanisms that drove their innovative cancer therapies, especially considering their last stock price was around $0.001.

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA) History

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. Founding Timeline

Year established

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. was established in 2003.

Original location

The company was originally located in South San Francisco, California.

Founding team members

The founding team included:

• Peter G. Schultz
• Jonathan Ellman
• Michael A. Walker

Initial capital/funding

Calithera Biosciences secured an initial Series A funding of $27 million in 2007. This funding was led by Morgenthaler Ventures and joined by other investors such as Aberdare Ventures, Delphi Ventures, and Mission Bay Capital.

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. Evolution Milestones

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. Transformative Moments

• Strategic Shift (2022-2023): The discontinuation of telaglenastat development marked a pivotal moment, leading to a restructuring and a renewed focus on earlier-stage research programs.
• Financial Realignment: Faced with clinical setbacks, the company implemented cost-saving measures and strategic reprioritization to extend its financial runway.

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Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA) Ownership Structure

Understanding Calithera Biosciences, Inc.'s ownership structure provides insights into who controls the company and how its governed. As a public company, ownership is distributed among various shareholders, including institutional investors, individual shareholders, and company insiders.

Calithera Biosciences, Inc.'s Current Status

Calithera Biosciences was a public company, trading under the ticker symbol CALA until it merged with Synthetica Biopharma in November 2023. Following the merger, Calithera Biosciences, Inc. ceased to exist as a separate entity. As of April 2025, it is no longer trading on the stock market. To learn more, check out: Exploring Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Calithera Biosciences, Inc.'s Ownership Breakdown

Before the merger with Synthetica Biopharma, Calithera Biosciences' ownership was distributed among various shareholders. Here’s an overview of the ownership breakdown based on the latest available data before the merger:

Calithera Biosciences, Inc.'s Leadership

Before the merger, the leadership team at Calithera Biosciences played a crucial role in guiding the company’s strategic direction. Key members of the leadership team included:

• Susan Molineaux, Ph.D.: Served as the President and Chief Executive Officer.
• Keith Orford, M.D., Ph.D.: Served as Chief Medical Officer.
• Stephanie Wong: Served as Chief Financial Officer.

These individuals, along with other members of the executive team, were responsible for making key decisions related to the company's operations, research and development, and financial performance. The board of directors provided oversight and guidance to the management team, ensuring that the company's activities aligned with its strategic goals and shareholder interests.

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA) Mission and Values

Calithera Biosciences is dedicated to discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs that target tumor metabolism and tumor immunology to provide a new generation of medicines for cancer patients. The company focuses on translating innovative research into clinical-stage programs that address unmet needs in oncology.

Calithera Biosciences' Core Purpose

Official mission statement

Calithera Biosciences' mission is to discover, develop, and commercialize novel therapeutics targeting tumor metabolism and immune-oncology to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people impacted by cancer.

Vision statement

While an explicit vision statement isn't available, insights into Calithera’s vision can be gleaned from their strategic goals and focus areas:

• To become a leader in the development of small molecule oncolytic drugs.
• To deliver innovative therapies that provide significant clinical benefits to cancer patients.
• To build a sustainable biopharmaceutical company by advancing a pipeline of novel drug candidates.

Company slogan/tagline

Calithera Biosciences does not have a widely publicized official slogan or tagline. However, considering their focus and mission, an unofficial tagline could be:

'Targeting Cancer's Core: Innovative Therapies for a Better Future.'

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Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA) How It Works

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small-molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer. The company aims to translate these discoveries into therapies that provide clinical benefit to cancer patients.

Calithera Biosciences' Product/Service Portfolio

Calithera Biosciences' Operational Framework

Calithera Biosciences operates through a focused approach to drug development, primarily centered on small-molecule inhibitors targeting cancer metabolism and tumor immunology. Key aspects of their operational framework include:

• Drug Discovery and Development: Identifying and developing novel drug candidates that target specific metabolic pathways or immune checkpoints critical to cancer cell survival and proliferation.
• Clinical Trials: Conducting rigorous preclinical and clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of their drug candidates. These trials are essential for gaining regulatory approval and bringing new therapies to market.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Collaborating with other pharmaceutical companies and research institutions to accelerate drug development and expand their pipeline.
• Regulatory Approval: Navigating the complex regulatory landscape to obtain approval from agencies like the FDA for their drug candidates.
• Manufacturing and Commercialization: Establishing manufacturing processes and commercialization strategies to ensure that approved drugs can be produced at scale and made available to patients.

Calithera Biosciences' Strategic Advantages

Calithera Biosciences possesses several strategic advantages that enable it to compete in the biopharmaceutical industry:

• Targeted Approach to Cancer Therapy: By focusing on tumor metabolism and immunology, Calithera develops therapies that can selectively target cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy cells.
• Innovative Pipeline: Calithera's pipeline includes novel drug candidates with the potential to address unmet medical needs in cancer treatment.
• Experienced Management Team: The company is led by a team of experienced professionals with a proven track record in drug development and commercialization.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies and research institutions provide access to additional resources and expertise.

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Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA) How It Makes Money

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. operated as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer. Revenue was primarily generated through collaboration agreements, research funding, and milestone payments associated with the development of their drug candidates.

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. Revenue Breakdown

As a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, revenue streams were project-dependent and could vary significantly from year to year based on research advancements, partnership agreements, and clinical trial outcomes. Please note that since Calithera Biosciences merged with Kymera Therapeutics in December 2023, the following information pertains to its operational period before the merger.

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. Business Economics

The economic model of Calithera Biosciences was rooted in the high-risk, high-reward nature of pharmaceutical development. Key aspects included:

• Drug Development Costs: Significant investment in research and development, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals.
• Partnerships: Collaborations with larger pharmaceutical companies to share development costs and leverage their commercialization expertise.
• Intellectual Property: Patents and proprietary technology protecting their drug candidates, providing a competitive advantage.
• Market Potential: Targeting oncology markets with significant unmet needs to ensure substantial revenue potential upon successful drug launch.

Understanding the company's mission, vision, and core values provides additional context to its strategic approach. For more insights, explore: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA).

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. Financial Performance

Given the merger with Kymera Therapeutics in December 2023, Calithera Biosciences' standalone financial performance reflects its activities prior to the merger. Key points include:

• Revenue Fluctuations: Revenue was heavily dependent on collaboration agreements and milestone achievements, leading to variability in financial results.
• R&D Expenses: A significant portion of operating expenses was dedicated to research and development, reflecting the company's focus on advancing its drug pipeline.
• Net Losses: As a clinical-stage company, Calithera typically incurred net losses as revenue from collaborations and milestones was unlikely to offset R&D and operating expenses consistently.
• Cash Runway: Monitoring cash reserves was crucial to fund ongoing operations and clinical trials until potential commercialization or further partnerships.

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA) Market Position & Future Outlook

Calithera Biosciences faces a challenging market position as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The company's future outlook is heavily dependent on the success of its clinical trials and its ability to secure partnerships or funding for continued operations.

Competitive Landscape

Calithera operates in the highly competitive biopharmaceutical industry, specifically focusing on developing novel therapies for cancer. This landscape includes both large, established pharmaceutical companies and smaller, specialized biotech firms. Due to the company's financial situation, an accurate and up-to-date market share comparison is not available.

Opportunities & Challenges

Calithera faces a mix of opportunities and risks that will shape its trajectory in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Industry Position

Calithera Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. Given its limited resources, the company's position is more vulnerable to setbacks in its clinical programs or failures to secure additional funding. Factors influencing Calithera's standing include:

• Clinical Trial Progress: The success or failure of its clinical trials will significantly impact its perceived value and attractiveness to potential partners or investors.
• Financial Stability: The ability to secure additional funding or partnerships is crucial for sustaining operations and advancing its pipeline.
• Market Dynamics: Changes in the competitive landscape, regulatory environment, and treatment paradigms in oncology can influence its prospects.

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