Kura Oncology spun out Caspian Therapeutics to develop menin inhibitors for diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases. Caspian launched with $50 million in Series A funding led by BVF Partners and backed by Eli Lilly and members of Kura’s leadership team, with Kura retaining about a 50% stake. Caspian’s initial focus is KO-7246, a small molecule intended to support pancreatic beta-cell regeneration and increased insulin production, and the company plans early-phase clinical testing across Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The structure separates the diabetes strategy from Kura’s menin inhibitor leukemia program, signaling an effort to concentrate capital and expertise as menin inhibition moves beyond oncology into metabolic disease.
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