Curis, Inc. (CRIS): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Ever wonder about the companies striving to revolutionize cancer treatment? Curis, Inc. (CRIS), a biotechnology company founded in 2000, is dedicated to discovering and developing innovative drug candidates for various human cancers. With a recent market capitalization of $12.24 million and a focus on small molecule inhibitors and immuno-oncology, how does Curis aim to improve patient outcomes, and what strategies does it employ to stay competitive in the ever-evolving biotech landscape? Keep reading to explore Curis' history, ownership, mission, operational mechanisms, and revenue generation.

Curis, Inc. (CRIS) History

Curis, Inc.'s Founding Timeline

Year established

The company was founded in 1991.

Original location

The company was originally located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Founding team members

The founding team included:

• Christoph Westphal
• Michael Galler

Initial capital/funding

The initial funding came from venture capital firms such as:

• Polaris Partners
• Venrock

Curis, Inc.'s Evolution Milestones

Curis, Inc.'s Transformative Moments

• Early Focus on Hedgehog Pathway: The initial focus on the Hedgehog signaling pathway proved transformative, leading to the development and eventual FDA approval of vismodegib (Erivedge), which validated the company's technology platform and provided significant revenue.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with larger pharmaceutical companies like Wyeth and Aurigene have been crucial for funding research and development efforts, as well as for co-developing and commercializing new therapies.
• Shift to Immuno-Oncology: Recognizing the potential of immuno-oncology, the company strategically shifted its focus to developing therapies that stimulate the immune system to fight cancer, aligning with a major trend in cancer research and treatment.
• Development of Emavusertib: The development of Emavusertib, an IRAK4 inhibitor, represents a significant advancement in Curis's pipeline, targeting hematologic malignancies and showcasing the company's commitment to innovative cancer therapies.
• Clinical Trial Setbacks: The FDA's clinical hold on Emavusertib trials in 2023 due to safety concerns marked a significant challenge, requiring the company to reassess its development strategy and address the identified issues.

To gain more insights into the company's guiding principles, visit: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Curis, Inc. (CRIS).

Curis, Inc. (CRIS) Ownership Structure

Curis, Inc. features a mixed ownership structure, encompassing institutional investors, company insiders, and retail investors, each holding varying percentages of the company's shares.

Curis, Inc.'s Current Status

Curis, Inc. is a public company, trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol CRIS. This means that its shares are available for purchase by the general public, and the company is subject to regulations and reporting requirements set forth by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Curis, Inc.'s Ownership Breakdown

The ownership of Curis, Inc. is distributed among various types of shareholders. Data may vary and is subject to change, but recent information provides a snapshot of the ownership structure:

Curis, Inc.'s Leadership

As of April 2025, the leadership team guiding Curis, Inc. includes:

• James E. Dentzer: President and Chief Executive Officer
• Bill Steinkrauss: Chief Financial Officer
• Robert Martell, M.D., Ph.D.: Head of Research & Development

These individuals hold key positions, influencing the strategic direction and operational execution of Curis, Inc. Their expertise and decisions are pivotal to the company's performance and growth within the biotechnology sector.

To gain further insights into Curis, Inc.'s financial standing, explore: Breaking Down Curis, Inc. (CRIS) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Curis, Inc. (CRIS) Mission and Values

Curis, Inc. is dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative drug candidates, with a focus on cancer treatment. The company's mission revolves around transforming the lives of patients by developing innovative cancer therapies.

Curis, Inc.'s Core Purpose

Official mission statement

Curis's mission is centered on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics in oncology. The company is committed to making a difference in the lives of patients with cancer. Exploring Curis, Inc. (CRIS) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

• Focus on oncology: Curis concentrates its efforts on creating treatments for various forms of cancer.
• Innovation: The company emphasizes the development of novel and innovative drug candidates.
• Commercialization: Curis aims to bring its therapies to market, ensuring they reach the patients who need them.

Vision statement

While Curis, Inc. doesn't have a singular, explicitly published vision statement, their corporate actions and strategic goals suggest a vision focused on:

• Becoming a leader in targeted cancer therapies.
• Advancing scientific breakthroughs into clinical applications.
• Creating long-term value for shareholders through successful drug development and commercialization.

Company slogan/tagline

Curis, Inc. does not have a widely publicized official slogan or tagline. However, considering their focus, potential taglines could be:

• 'Innovating Cancer Therapy.'
• 'Targeting Cancer, Transforming Lives.'
• 'Advancing the Fight Against Cancer.'

Curis, Inc. (CRIS) How It Works

Curis, Inc. operates as a biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, leveraging its expertise in drug discovery and clinical development to address unmet medical needs.

Curis, Inc.'s Product/Service Portfolio

Curis, Inc.'s Operational Framework

Curis, Inc.'s operational framework revolves around the following key activities:

• Drug Discovery and Development: Curis identifies and develops novel drug candidates targeting critical pathways in cancer biology. This involves preclinical research, lead optimization, and formulation development.
• Clinical Trials: The company conducts clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its drug candidates in human patients. These trials are conducted in phases (Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3) to gather data on dosing, side effects, and therapeutic benefits.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Curis strategically collaborates with other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic institutions, to advance its research and development programs. These partnerships may involve licensing agreements, joint research projects, or co-development arrangements.
• Regulatory Affairs: Curis works closely with regulatory agencies, such as the FDA in the United States, to obtain approval for its drug candidates. This involves submitting comprehensive data packages and complying with regulatory requirements.
• Manufacturing and Commercialization: Upon regulatory approval, Curis may either manufacture and commercialize its products directly or partner with other companies for these activities.

To delve deeper into the company's core values and objectives, explore: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Curis, Inc. (CRIS).

Curis, Inc.'s Strategic Advantages

Curis, Inc. possesses several strategic advantages that contribute to its success in the competitive biotechnology industry:

• Targeted Therapies: Curis focuses on developing targeted therapies that selectively inhibit key pathways involved in cancer development and progression. This approach has the potential to improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
• Experienced Management Team: Curis has an experienced management team with a proven track record in drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization. Their expertise and leadership guide the company's strategic direction and operational execution.
• Strong Intellectual Property Position: Curis maintains a strong intellectual property position with patents and other proprietary rights protecting its drug candidates and technologies. This provides a competitive advantage and exclusivity in the market.
• Innovative Technology Platform: Curis utilizes innovative technology platforms to accelerate drug discovery and development. These platforms enable the company to identify and validate novel drug targets, screen potential drug candidates, and optimize drug formulations.

Curis, Inc. (CRIS) How It Makes Money

Curis, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The company primarily generates revenue through strategic collaborations and licensing agreements with pharmaceutical companies.

Curis, Inc.'s Revenue Breakdown

As a clinical-stage biotechnology company, Curis, Inc.'s revenue streams are subject to variability and depend heavily on the progress of their drug development programs and partnerships.

Curis, Inc.'s Business Economics

Curis, Inc.'s business economics are characterized by substantial investment in research and development (R&D) with the hope of future returns upon successful drug development and commercialization. Here are some key aspects:

• High R&D Expenditure: A significant portion of operating expenses is allocated to R&D activities, reflecting the company's focus on discovering and developing novel cancer therapies.
• Strategic Collaborations: Collaborations are crucial for funding the development of their drug candidates. These partnerships often involve upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties on future sales, which can significantly impact the company's financial position.
• Intellectual Property: The company's success is heavily reliant on its ability to protect its intellectual property through patents and other means.

Curis, Inc.'s Financial Performance

Curis, Inc.'s financial performance can be evaluated through the following points:

• Revenue Fluctuations: Given its reliance on collaboration and licensing agreements, revenue can vary significantly from period to period.
• Net Losses: As is typical for biotechnology companies in the clinical stage, Curis, Inc. often reports net losses due to high R&D and operating expenses.
• Cash Runway: Monitoring the company's cash position is essential to ensure it has sufficient funds to continue its research and development activities. Investors often pay close attention to announcements regarding financing activities.
• More insights about the company can be found here: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Curis, Inc. (CRIS).

Curis, Inc. (CRIS) Market Position & Future Outlook

Curis, Inc. is navigating a challenging yet potentially rewarding period, focusing on advancing its pipeline of cancer therapies while operating in a competitive and dynamic market. Their future success hinges on clinical trial outcomes, regulatory approvals, and successful commercialization strategies.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape for Curis, Inc. involves other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, some of which may have greater resources and more advanced product pipelines. Market share can fluctuate significantly based on clinical trial results, regulatory approvals, and commercial performance.

Opportunities & Challenges

Curis, Inc. faces both opportunities and risks that could significantly impact its future performance. Successfully navigating these factors will be critical for the company's growth and sustainability.

Industry Position

Curis, Inc. operates within the highly competitive biotechnology industry, specifically focusing on developing treatments for cancer. Its standing within the industry can be characterized by:

• Niche Player: Positioned as a niche player focusing on specific targeted therapies rather than broad-spectrum treatments.
• Innovation Focus: Emphasizes innovative approaches in cancer treatment, targeting specific signaling pathways and mechanisms.
• Development Stage: Largely a development-stage company, with significant value tied to the success of its clinical trials and regulatory outcomes.

To gain more insights into the company's guiding principles, check out: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Curis, Inc. (CRIS).