Kura Oncology(KURA) - 2022 Q2 - Quarterly Report

Clinical Development - Kura Oncology has two clinical-stage product candidates: ziftomenib and tipifarnib, with a preclinical-stage candidate KO-2806 currently in IND-enabling studies[57]. - Ziftomenib targets approximately 35% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including NPM1-mutant and KMT2A-rearranged AML, with KMT2A rearrangements found in 70-80% of infant leukemias[58]. - The KOMET-001 trial for ziftomenib reported clinical activity in 6 out of 8 efficacy-evaluable patients, including 2 complete remissions[61]. - Tipifarnib has been studied in over 5,000 cancer patients, showing durable anti-cancer activity with a manageable side effect profile[67]. - The AIM-HN trial for tipifarnib in HRAS mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been amended to include patients with any HRAS mutation, potentially increasing the number of evaluable patients[70]. - Tipifarnib received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for recurrent or metastatic HRAS mutant HNSCC with variant allele frequency ≥ 20%[71]. - Kura Oncology is collaborating with Novartis to evaluate the combination of tipifarnib and alpelisib in patients with HRAS overexpression and/or PIK3CA mutations[72]. - Preclinical data suggest that tipifarnib may prevent resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)[74]. - Kura Oncology is developing a next-generation farnesyl transferase inhibitor, KO-2806, which has improved potency and pharmacokinetic properties compared to tipifarnib[75]. - The company plans to initiate the KURRENT-LUNG trial of tipifarnib in combination with osimertinib in treatment-naïve locally advanced/metastatic EGFR mutated NSCLC in Q3 2022[74]. Financial Performance - As of June 30, 2022, the company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaling $450.3 million[77]. - The company reported research and development expenses of $24.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, an increase of 15.1% compared to $21.1 million for the same period in 2021[86]. - For the six months ended June 30, 2022, total research and development expenses were $45.2 million, up from $41.4 million in the same period in 2021, reflecting a 9.1% increase[90]. - The company has an accumulated deficit of $500.2 million as of June 30, 2022, indicating ongoing operating losses since inception[95]. - The company has not generated any revenues from product sales and does not have any approved products as of June 30, 2022[96]. - The company anticipates requiring significant additional financing in the future to continue operations and fund research and development activities[95]. - The company expects general and administrative expenses to increase in future periods to support planned research and development activities[88]. - The company has entered into an ATM Facility allowing for the sale of up to $150.0 million in common stock, but has not yet sold any shares under this agreement[94]. - The increase in ziftomenib-related research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022, was primarily due to costs associated with the Phase 1/2 clinical trial[86]. - The company expects its existing cash and investments to be sufficient to fund operating expenses through 2024, but future capital requirements will depend on various factors[96]. Cash Flow and Investments - Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $62,522,000, an increase of $5,931,000 compared to $56,591,000 in 2021[98]. - Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $8,135,000, a significant change of $231,576,000 from a net cash used of $223,441,000 in 2021[98]. - Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $2,972,000, compared to a net cash used of $6,487,000 in 2021, reflecting a change of $9,459,000[100]. - The company may be required to pay up to approximately $80,000,000 in milestone payments plus sales royalties if regulatory and commercial milestones under in-license agreements are achieved[103]. - The increase in net cash used in operating activities was primarily due to changes of $3,000,000 in prepaid expenses and other current assets[98]. - The company does not believe that a 10.0% change in interest rates would have a material effect on the fair value of its investment portfolio as of June 30, 2022[107]. - Inflation has not had a material effect on the company's business, financial condition, or results of operations during the periods presented[108]. - The company has established guidelines regarding approved investments and maturities of investments to maintain safety and liquidity[107]. - The company has short-term and cancellable agreements with clinical sites and CROs for clinical research studies, generally outstanding for periods less than one year[102]. - There have been no material changes to the company's critical accounting policies and estimates from the previous fiscal year[105].