Kura Oncology spins out Caspian Therapeutics for cardiometabolic menin inhibitors

Kura Oncology, Inc. disclosed in an 8-K filing dated September 9, 2026 that it formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Caspian Therapeutics, Inc., to focus on the development of next-generation menin inhibitors for the treatment of diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases.¹

On September 8, 2026, Caspian completed the sale and issuance of $50.0 million of shares of its Series A preferred stock in a private financing.¹ Kura itself invested $4.3 million in the Series A Financing.¹ Following the closing, the company's common stock and Series A preferred stock of Caspian comprised approximately 49.2% of the outstanding capital stock of Caspian.¹

The same day, Kura entered into a Contribution and License Agreement with Caspian. Under that agreement, Kura contributed to Caspian certain rights in and to next-generation menin inhibitors for the treatment of diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases, including the compound known internally as KO-7246, and certain corresponding intellectual property and other assets, in exchange for shares of Caspian common stock and a one-time reimbursement payment of up to $1.5 million for the company's costs of maintaining the assets prior to closing.¹ Caspian is solely responsible for all development, regulatory and commercialization activities with respect to products containing the Assigned Assets in the field of diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases.¹

Kura also granted to Caspian non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up, irrevocable and perpetual licenses under certain of the company's patents and data relating to ziftomenib, for the exploitation of Caspian's compounds and products in the Caspian Field.¹ In return, Caspian granted to Kura a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up, irrevocable and perpetual license under the patents and know-how included in the Assigned Assets for any research and development purpose.¹

Separately, the companies signed an intercompany services agreement under which Kura agreed to perform certain research and development services, general administrative services and other mutually agreed services for Caspian and receive service fees therefor.¹ The initial term runs until the first anniversary of its effective date, with automatic one-year renewals absent 90-day non-renewal notice.¹