Kura Oncology Appoints New Chief Medical Officer, Bolstering Pipeline and Leadership

Kura Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: KURA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to realizing the promise of precision medicines for cancer treatment, has announced the promotion of Mollie Leoni, M.D., to the role of Chief Medical Officer (CMO). This strategic move comes after Dr. Leoni's successful tenure as Executive Vice President of Clinical Development and her proven leadership in advancing the company's ziftomenib program. Additionally, Francis Burrows, Ph.D., has been promoted to Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), further strengthening Kura's leadership team and pipeline innovation.



Mollie Leoni, M.D., brings a robust background in oncology and orphan drug development to her new role as CMO. With extensive experience in clinical development and a proven track record of driving successful drug programs, Dr. Leoni has been instrumental in advancing ziftomenib through a first registration-enabling study and laying the foundation for its potential as a transformational therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Her expertise in clinical trial design and execution, as well as her ability to collaborate with key opinion leaders in the field, will be invaluable in guiding Kura's clinical development efforts and maximizing the potential of its pipeline.

Francis Burrows, Ph.D., has been a driving force behind Kura's pipeline innovation, with programs addressing various indications such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), diabetes, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and KRAS-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). His expertise in drug discovery and development, particularly in the biology of cancer and the discovery of small molecule drugs, has been crucial in advancing these programs. As the new CSO, Dr. Burrows will continue to lead Kura's translational research efforts and drive the company's pipeline expansion into new therapeutic areas.

The promotions of Dr. Leoni and Dr. Burrows reflect Kura Oncology's commitment to exploring new therapeutic areas and expanding its pipeline. With a diverse portfolio of precision medicines targeting cancer signaling pathways, Kura is well-positioned to drive better outcomes for patients and broaden the eligible patient population through rational combinations. The company's pipeline comprises small molecule drug candidates that target genetically defined subsets of acute leukemias and solid tumors, with ziftomenib, a menin inhibitor, currently in a Phase 2 registration-directed trial for NPM1-mutant relapsed or refractory AML.

In conclusion, Kura Oncology's appointment of Mollie Leoni, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and Francis Burrows, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer demonstrates the company's dedication to fostering a strong leadership team and driving pipeline innovation. With their combined expertise in oncology, orphan drug development, and drug discovery, Dr. Leoni and Dr. Burrows will be instrumental in advancing Kura's precision medicine pipeline and maximizing the potential of its drug candidates for patients with genetically defined subsets of cancer.