Kurome Therapeutics

What Kurome Therapeutics does

Kurome Therapeutics is a preclinical-to-early-clinical-stage biotech company developing small-molecule therapies that target cancer's adaptive resistance mechanisms. The company's lead and only disclosed drug candidate is KME-0584, a small-molecule dual inhibitor of IRAK1 and IRAK4 kinases, intended for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS). The compound emerged from a medicinal chemistry program that synthesized and tested over 1,600 molecular derivatives, with the underlying platform technology licensed from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and co-developed with the NIH-affiliated National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). In December 2024, Kurome received FDA IND approval for KME-0584, enabling a Phase 1 clinical trial enrolling up to 100 patients beginning in early 2025. The company is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and operates with 11-50 employees focused entirely on research and development.

Name

Kurome Therapeutics

Legal name

Kurome Therapeutics

Website

https://kurometherapeutics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kurome Therapeutics is a Cincinnati-based preclinical biotech developing KME-0584, a small-molecule dual IRAK1/IRAK4 kinase inhibitor for relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, with FDA IND approval secured in December 2024 and a Phase 1 trial underway.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Therapeutics

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Oncology & Hematologic Malignancy Therapies (HLAIAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Clinical Development (Phase I–III Trial Design & Execution) (HLAIALAE)

Keywords

• Small molecule therapeutics
• Kinase inhibitor development
• Oncology drug discovery
• Acute myeloid leukemia treatment
• Myelodysplastic syndrome therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Licensing and Strategic Partnerships: As a pre-commercial biotech, Kurome Therapeutics generates value through licensing technology to larger pharmaceutical companies and seeking strategic partnerships or acquisition opportunities to advance drugs through clinical trials toward FDA approval.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Core offering

Kurome Therapeutics is developing KME-0584, a small-molecule dual inhibitor targeting IRAK1 and IRAK4 kinases for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS). The drug candidate received FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) approval in December 2024 and is advancing into a Phase 1 clinical trial planned to enroll up to 100 patients with relapsed/refractory AML and HR-MDS in early 2025.

Product overview

Kurome Therapeutics is a biotech company developing a single investigational drug candidate. The core product is KME-0584, a small-molecule dual inhibitor targeting IRAK1 and IRAK4 kinases, which was developed collaboratively with Cincinnati Children's and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). The technology was licensed from Cincinnati Children's, and the company is pursuing partnerships or acquisition opportunities to advance the drug through later-stage clinical trials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KME-0584 KME-0584 is a small-molecule dual inhibitor targeting IRAK1 and IRAK4 kinases, developed for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS). It was developed through synthesis and testing of more than 1,600 molecular derivatives and received FDA IND approval in December 2024 to advance into a Phase 1 clinical trial.

Quantifiable outcome

• Phase 1 clinical trial planned to enroll up to 100 patients with relapsed/refractory AML and HR-MDS in early 2025

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2024Cincinnati Children's is the original licensor and co-developer of KME-0584. The drug candidate was developed collaboratively through synthesis and testing of over 1,600 molecular derivatives. Cincinnati Children's is one of only a handful of institutions to advance a therapeutic from initial concept through to IND. Kurome licensed the technology from Cincinnati Children's.
• National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2024NCATS, an NIH-affiliated institution, collaborated on the development of KME-0584. NCATS contributed to advancing the drug candidate through translational sciences, working alongside Cincinnati Children's and Kurome Therapeutics to achieve IND approval and move toward clinical trials.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Curis: Curis is developing CA-4948, an IRAK4 inhibitor in clinical trials for AML and MDS, making it the most direct mechanistic peer to Kurome's KME-0584 dual IRAK1/IRAK4 program. Both target the IRAK kinase pathway in hematologic malignancies.
• Kura Oncology: Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage small-molecule oncology company developing targeted therapies for hematologic cancers and solid tumors. Its pipeline focus on precision oncology for underserved patient populations parallels Kurome's approach in AML/MDS.
• Aprea Therapeutics: Aprea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech developing small-molecule therapies targeting cancer, with a particular focus on hematologic malignancies including AML. Similar small-cap, single-mechanism oncology biotech profile to Kurome.
• Syndax Pharmaceuticals: Syndax is a late clinical-stage company developing oncology therapies for hematologic malignancies, including menin inhibitors for AML. Comparable in targeting underserved hematology indications with single-asset focus.

Emerging players

• Notable Labs: Notable Labs is an early-stage company focused specifically on AML drug development using predictive testing platforms. Direct adjacency in AML therapeutic development though with a different technology approach.
• Astex Pharmaceuticals: Astex Pharmaceuticals is a small-molecule drug discovery company focused on oncology, including hematologic malignancies. Comparable fragment-based drug discovery approach and oncology focus.
• TG Therapeutics: TG Therapeutics develops hematology and oncology therapies with approved products in B-cell malignancies. Comparable in targeting hematologic cancer indications though at a more advanced commercial stage.

Broad incumbents

• Bristol-Myers Squibb: BMS is a global pharmaceutical incumbent with established AML franchise assets (e.g., Idhifa, Reblozyl) and active business development in hematology. Represents the type of strategic acquirer relevant to Kurome's licensing/M&A path.
• AbbVie: AbbVie is a major pharmaceutical incumbent with Venclexta (venetoclax) approved in AML and active oncology business development. Likely candidate to evaluate or acquire early-stage AML assets like KME-0584.
• Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Jazz Pharmaceuticals markets Vyxeos (CPX-351) for AML and has been actively expanding its hematology/oncology franchise through acquisitions. Represents another relevant strategic acquirer profile for Kurome.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kurome-therapeutics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kurome Therapeutics