Bayer Partners with Kumquat Biosciences for $1.3 Billion Cancer Drug Deal

Bayer has partnered with Kumquat Biosciences for a potential new cancer drug development deal worth up to $1.3 billion. Kumquat is responsible for the Phase Ia clinical trial, with Bayer providing funding and access to its research capabilities. The partnership aims to accelerate the development of Kumquat's cancer drug, which has shown promising results in preclinical studies.

German pharmaceutical giant Bayer has entered into a significant partnership with Kumquat Biosciences, a U.S.-based oncology specialist, to develop a potential new cancer drug. The deal, valued at up to $1.3 billion, aims to accelerate the development of Kumquat's experimental KRAS G12D inhibitor [1].

Under the agreement, Kumquat will be responsible for initiating and completing the Phase Ia clinical trial, while Bayer will handle the subsequent development and commercial activities. The partnership complements Bayer's precision oncology portfolio, focusing on pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancer [2].

KRAS mutations are found in nearly 25% of human cancers, and the variant targeted by Kumquat's drug currently lacks effective treatment options. Bayer has agreed to pay Kumquat up to $1.3 billion, including upfront, clinical, and commercial milestones, as well as additional tiered royalties on net sales [3].

Kumquat, which has also partnered with Eli Lilly and Takeda, retains an exclusive option to negotiate for participating in profit-loss sharing in the United States under the deal with Bayer. Kumquat CEO Yi Liu stated that the collaboration provides the company with the financial resources to accelerate its broader clinical pipeline for long-term value [1].

This strategic partnership underscores Bayer's commitment to advancing precision oncology and addressing unmet medical needs in cancer treatment.

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/bayer-adds-cancer-drug-candidate-portfolio-with-13-billion-kumquat-deal-2025-08-12/
[2] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4483673-bayer-inks-13-billion-deal-with-kumquat-biosciences-for-cancer-drug-development
[3] https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/bayer-adds-cancer-drug-candidate-074238387.html