Kras G12D is the focal point of the collaboration effort with Kumquat handling Phase 1a studies and Bayer controlling development and commercialization.
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Bayer and Kumquat Biosciences announced an agreement on an exclusive license deal for Kumquat’s Kras G12D inhibitor after the treatment received FDA approval in July. Kumquat secures $1.3 billion in the terms of the agreement, including upfront costs, clinical & commercial milestones, and tiered royalties on net sales.

“We are constantly evaluating innovative approaches to improve outcomes for patients, focusing on areas of high unmet medical need. We look forward to collaborating with Kumquat, an accomplished team of experts with deep KRAS insights,” said Juergen Eckhardt, M.D., head of business development and licensing at Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division. “Our intent is to explore the development of a potential new treatment option for patients, while further complementing Bayer’s robust early precision oncology pipeline.”¹

Understanding Kras

Kras mutations (labeled as oncogenic driver mutations) change the DNA in genes, resulting in the expansion and development of cancer. Kras mutations are recognized as the target for cancer treatments and assist in creating treatment options specialized to target identified mutations. These mutations are discovered commonly in patients suffering from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma being identified as one of the most challenging tumors to treat.

Dominik Ruettinger, M.D., Ph.D., global head of research and early development for oncology at Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division, touched on how Kras mutations impact future developments of Kras G12D, saying, “Kras mutations are crucial for cancer development and can be targeted with specific therapies in a more selective manner. Kras mutations occur in nearly 25 percent of human cancers, yet the most prevalent and oncogenic Kras (G12D) variant still lacks effective treatment options. We look forward to exploring the investigational Kras G12D inhibitor, which targets a highly relevant signaling pathway that promotes tumor growth and survival.”¹

Next steps in cancer treatment

Under the official licensing agreement, Kumquat will continue it’s responsibilities for the inhibitor’s initiation and completion in Phase 1a study, and Bayer will undertake control of development and all commercial activities. The collaboration has set its focus on advancing the Kras mutation treatment option as only a limited number of treatments are currently available.

Yi Liu, chief executive officer of Kumquat, spoke on the collaborations goals, saying, “Since pioneering the direct targeting of Kras G12C mutation over a decade ago, we have continued to discover innovative strategies to target other KRAS mutants, including Kras G12D.Advancing our novel Kras G12D asset into the clinic reflects our commitment to delivering durable therapies for Kras patients suffering from deadly malignancies such as pancreatic, lung and colorectal cancers. This collaboration with Bayer validates the strength of our platform and the potential of our Kras G12D candidate to address long-standing unmet needs in oncology. We are thrilled to collaborate with Bayer, who shares our vision and strategy for realizing the benefit of small molecule-based transformative treatments. While advancing optimally our Kras G12D program through the clinic, this collaboration provides Kumquat the financial resources to accelerate its broader clinical pipeline for long-term value, and position Kumquat to deliver life-changing medicines and achieve sustained growth in the coming years.”¹

Sources

1. Bayer and Kumquat Biosciences enter global exclusive license and collaboration in precision oncology Bayer Global August 12, 2025 https://www.bayer.com/media/en-us/bayer-and-kumquat-biosciences-enter-global-exclusive-license-and-collaboration-in-precision-oncology/