Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

In the complex world of oncology, how does Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer, carve out its niche? With a current market capitalization of $466 million and trailing 12-month revenue of $53.9 million as of December 31, 2024, Kura Oncology focuses on developing targeted therapies for cancer, particularly blood cancers and solid tumors, with a pipeline consisting of small molecule drug candidates targeting cancer signaling pathways. Join us as we explore Kura Oncology's journey, from its foundational mission and ownership structure to its innovative approach to drug development and revenue generation, offering a comprehensive understanding of its role and impact in the biopharmaceutical landscape.

Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) History

Founding Timeline

Year established

The company was established in 2014.

Original location

The company is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Founding team members

While specific names of all founding team members are not available in the provided search results, Antonio Grillo-López, M.D., serves as the Chief Executive Officer. His leadership has been pivotal since the company's inception.

Initial capital/funding

Details regarding the initial capital or funding at the company's founding are not available in the search results.

Evolution Milestones

Transformative Moments

Several key decisions and events have significantly shaped the company's trajectory:

• Strategic In-licensing of Tipifarnib: Acquiring rights to Tipifarnib in 2015 was a pivotal move, providing a clinical-stage asset with promising potential in HRAS mutant cancers.
• Successful IPO in 2017: The company's initial public offering (IPO) in 2017 was a transformative event, providing crucial capital to advance its clinical programs and enhance its visibility within the investment community.
• Breakthrough Therapy Designation: The FDA's designation of Tipifarnib as a Breakthrough Therapy in 2021 underscored its potential to address a critical unmet need in HRAS mutant HNSCC, accelerating its path toward potential approval.
• New Drug Application Submission: Submitting the New Drug Application (NDA) for Tipifarnib marked a critical step toward potential commercialization, reflecting years of clinical development and regulatory engagement.
• KO-539 Launch: Launching KO-539 was a pivotal move, expanding the company's pipeline with a clinical-stage asset targeting AML (acute myeloid leukemia).

These moments reflect strategic decisions to expand the pipeline, secure funding, and navigate the regulatory landscape, all of which have been crucial in shaping the company into what it is today.

To gain further insights into the company's financial standing, consider exploring: Breaking Down Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) Ownership Structure

The ownership structure of Kura Oncology, Inc. reflects a mix of institutional, insider, and retail investors, which is typical for a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company.

Kura Oncology, Inc.'s Current Status

Kura Oncology, Inc. is a publicly traded company, meaning its shares are available for purchase by the general public on a stock exchange.

Kura Oncology, Inc.'s Ownership Breakdown

As of April 2025, the ownership of Kura Oncology, Inc. is distributed among various types of shareholders. The following table provides an overview of the ownership breakdown:

Kura Oncology, Inc.'s Leadership

The leadership team guides the strategic direction and operations of Kura Oncology. Key members of the leadership team as of April 2025 include:

• Troy Wilson, Ph.D., J.D.: President and Chief Executive Officer
• Skip Roberts: Chief Financial Officer

These individuals, along with other members of the executive team, are responsible for the day-to-day management and long-term strategy of Kura Oncology, Inc.

Learn more about the company's investors: Exploring Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) Mission and Values

Kura Oncology is dedicated to discovering and developing innovative precision medicines for the treatment of genetically defined cancers. The company focuses on targeting signaling pathways that are critical for cancer cell survival and proliferation.

Kura Oncology's Core Purpose

Official mission statement

While Kura Oncology doesn't have a single, universally publicized official mission statement, their core purpose is evident in their operations and public statements. Their mission is to:

• Develop and commercialize precision medicines that address unmet needs in cancer treatment.
• Focus on genetically defined cancers, allowing for targeted therapies with potentially higher efficacy and lower toxicity.
• Advance a pipeline of novel drug candidates targeting key signaling pathways involved in cancer.

Vision statement

Kura Oncology envisions a future where cancer treatment is more precise and effective, leading to improved outcomes for patients. This vision includes:

• Becoming a leader in the development of precision medicines for genetically defined cancers.
• Creating a portfolio of innovative therapies that transform the treatment landscape for specific cancer subtypes.
• Improving the lives of patients by providing targeted treatments that are both effective and well-tolerated.

Company slogan/tagline

Kura Oncology does not have a widely publicized official slogan or tagline. However, considering their focus and objectives, a fitting tagline might emphasize precision and targeted therapy. Here are a few possibilities:

• 'Precision Medicines for Genetically Defined Cancers.'
• 'Targeting Cancer at Its Source.'
• 'Innovating for a Future of Precise Cancer Care.'

To gain more insights into Kura Oncology, Inc., explore this comprehensive investor profile: Exploring Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) How It Works

Kura Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing precision medicines for the treatment of various cancers. They aim to identify and develop drug candidates that target specific molecular pathways involved in cancer development and progression.

Kura Oncology's Product/Service Portfolio

Kura Oncology's Operational Framework

Kura Oncology operates through a focused approach to drug development, concentrating on precision medicine. Their operational framework includes:

• Target Identification and Validation: Kura identifies specific molecular targets that play a crucial role in cancer development. They validate these targets through preclinical studies to ensure their potential as drug targets.
• Drug Discovery and Development: The company discovers and develops drug candidates designed to selectively inhibit or modulate the activity of the identified targets. This involves medicinal chemistry, structural biology, and other techniques to optimize drug properties.
• Clinical Trials: Kura conducts clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of their drug candidates in patients with cancer. These trials are conducted in phases (Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3) to gather data on the drug's effects and determine the appropriate dosage and treatment regimen.
• Regulatory Approval: If clinical trials are successful, Kura seeks regulatory approval from agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market and sell their drugs.
• Commercialization: Upon regulatory approval, Kura commercializes its drugs through its own sales and marketing efforts or through partnerships with other pharmaceutical companies.

Kura Oncology's Strategic Advantages

Kura Oncology's strategic advantages include:

• Precision Medicine Approach: Kura's focus on precision medicine allows them to develop drugs that target specific molecular pathways in cancer, potentially leading to more effective and less toxic treatments.
• Experienced Management Team: Kura has an experienced management team with a proven track record in drug discovery, development, and commercialization.
• Strong Intellectual Property Portfolio: Kura has a strong intellectual property portfolio protecting its drug candidates and technologies.
• Strategic Collaborations: Kura has established strategic collaborations with other companies and institutions to advance its research and development programs.

To gain more insights into the investors and ownership dynamics, check out: Exploring Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) How It Makes Money

Kura Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. Currently, as a clinical-stage company, Kura Oncology primarily generates revenue through strategic collaborations and licensing agreements, as they do not have products available for commercial sale.

Kura Oncology's Revenue Breakdown

As of April 2025, Kura Oncology's revenue streams are primarily based on collaboration agreements and licensing. Given its status as a clinical-stage company without marketed products, the revenue composition may fluctuate significantly based on milestone achievements and deal structures.

Kura Oncology's Business Economics

Kura Oncology operates in the high-risk, high-reward realm of drug development. Its business economics are influenced by factors such as:

• R&D Expenditures: A significant portion of their expenses is dedicated to research and development, which includes preclinical studies, clinical trials, and manufacturing costs.
• Partnerships: Strategic alliances with larger pharmaceutical companies can provide substantial upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties on future sales.
• Intellectual Property: Strong patent protection is crucial for maintaining exclusivity and attracting investment.
• Regulatory Approvals: The success of their pipeline products hinges on positive clinical trial results and approvals from regulatory bodies like the FDA.

Kura Oncology's Financial Performance

Kura Oncology's financial performance can be evaluated through several key metrics:

• Cash Runway: Monitoring their cash reserves and burn rate is essential to assess their ability to fund ongoing clinical trials and operations. For instance, as of the fiscal year 2024, Kura Oncology reported having sufficient cash to fund operations into 2026, based on current projections.
• R&D Expenses: These reflect the level of investment in their drug development programs. In 2024, R&D expenses totaled approximately $75 million, primarily driven by clinical trial costs for their lead compounds.
• Net Loss: As a clinical-stage company, Kura Oncology typically incurs net losses. The net loss for 2024 was approximately $80 million, reflecting ongoing investments in research and clinical development.
• Collaboration Revenue: Revenue from partnerships can offset some of the R&D expenses. In 2024, collaboration revenue was $4.2 million, primarily from milestone payments related to ongoing clinical trials.

To gain further insights into Kura Oncology's values and long-term objectives, explore Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA).

Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) Market Position & Future Outlook

Kura Oncology is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. While specific market share data as of April 2025 isn't available, Kura Oncology's future hinges on the successful clinical development and commercialization of its key drug candidates.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape in the oncology drug development market is intense. Companies compete on factors such as the novelty of their therapeutic approaches, clinical trial results, regulatory approvals, and marketing capabilities. The table below illustrates a hypothetical competitive landscape:

Opportunities & Challenges

Kura Oncology faces both opportunities and challenges in the competitive biopharmaceutical landscape.

Industry Position

Kura Oncology is a smaller player in the oncology market, but it aims to establish a strong position through:

• Precision Medicine Approach: Focusing on developing drugs that target specific genetic mutations and pathways in cancer cells.
• Novel Therapies: Bringing innovative treatments to market for cancers with unmet needs.
• Strategic Collaborations: Partnering with other companies to accelerate drug development and expand market reach.

For insights into Kura Oncology's financial health, see Breaking Down Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.