Leukemia Drug Insight Leads to New Diabetes Treatment Firm

7:03 AM ETDeveloping

Health Desk

In Short: Caspian Therapeutics, backed by $50 million in funding, aims to develop menin inhibitors for diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases.

SAN DIEGO — When Kura Oncology targeted a protein involved in cell division and signaling, they discovered an unexpected benefit: the protein, menin, not only controlled leukemia cell growth but also improved blood sugar levels in animal studies. This dual effect has now led to the formation of a new biotech firm, Caspian Therapeutics, which will further explore this potential treatment for diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases.

Caspian Therapeutics is launching with $50 million in financing, led by BVF Partners and joined by Eli Lilly and Kura’s leadership team. The initial funding will support the development of Caspian’s lead small molecule drug through early-phase clinical trials in diabetes and the advancement of a second candidate.

Robert Spencer, previously CEO of Neurommune Therapeutics and a former Merck drug discovery program leader, has been appointed as the head of Caspian. Kura will retain approximately 50% ownership of the new biotech, with Kura CEO Troy Wilson serving as executive chair of Caspian’s board.

The new firm aims to advance its research through an early-phase clinical trial in diabetes, leveraging the initial findings from Kura’s studies. The goal is to develop menin inhibitors that could offer a novel approach to managing diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions.

The formation of Caspian Therapeutics marks a significant step in translating scientific insights from oncology research into potential treatments for diabetes, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of modern biotech advancements.

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The biotech on Wednesday announced that it is turning that insight into a new company.
Test your knowledge with our new weekday mini crossword Jonathan Wosen is STAT’s West Coast biotech & life sciences reporter.
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