Sierra Oncology
Sierra Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing momelotinib, an investigational treatment for myelofibrosis, serving patients with this rare blood cancer; the company was acquired by GSK plc.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersSan Mateo, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sierra Oncology does
Sierra Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2004 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, that developed targeted therapeutics for cancer patients. The company's entire clinical focus was concentrated on momelotinib, an investigational small-molecule treatment for myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer affecting approximately 25,000 patients in the United States with an annual incidence of 1–3 cases per 100,000 people. Sierra Oncology planned to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for momelotinib by Q2 2022, positioning the asset against established myelofibrosis therapies such as Incyte's Jakafi.
Sierra Oncology was a publicly traded company on NASDAQ under the ticker SRRA (also referenced as SR) and was incorporated in Canada as Sierra Oncology Inc. The company operated with 51–100 employees and was pre-commercial, generating no product revenue at the time of the data. Capital formation was historically driven by venture and growth equity rounds (notably a $103M raise in November 2019 led by Vivo Capital) and, more recently, by an upsized $135M public offering in January 2022 alongside a $125M debt facility from Oxford Finance. A potential $33.3M in additional proceeds from Series B warrant exercises was also disclosed.
Sierra Oncology's business model was that of a development-stage biopharmaceutical: capital was raised through equity and debt to fund clinical trials, regulatory preparation, and the build-out of commercialization capabilities, with revenue generation contingent on successful FDA approval and launch of momelotinib. The company was subsequently acquired by GSK plc, becoming a subsidiary within the acquirer's broader oncology portfolio and ceasing to operate as an independent entity.
Sierra Oncology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sierra Oncology
- Legal name
- Sierra Oncology Inc.
- Website
- https://sierraoncology.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Sierra Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing momelotinib, an investigational treatment for myelofibrosis, serving patients with this rare blood cancer; the company was acquired by GSK plc.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sierra Oncology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Oncology Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Oncology & Hematology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAC)
Keywords
Where Sierra Oncology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Mateo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Sierra Oncology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Sierra Oncology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sierra Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing momelotinib, an investigational oral JAK1/JAK2 and ACVR1 inhibitor intended for the treatment of myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow cancer. The company's pipeline is focused on targeted oncology therapeutics that address both the proliferative symptoms of myelofibrosis and the anemia commonly associated with the disease. As a pre-commercial company, Sierra Oncology's activities centered on advancing momelotinib through late-stage clinical development, regulatory submission, and preparation for commercialization.
Product overview
Sierra Oncology is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cancer treatments. Its primary product candidate is momelotinib, an investigational drug for myelofibrosis. The company's development activities center on advancing this treatment through regulatory approval, with plans to fund development and commercialization activities through public offerings and debt facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Momelotinib Investigational oral JAK1/JAK2 and ACVR1 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of adult patients with myelofibrosis, including patients with disease-related anemia; intended as a prescription specialty pharmaceutical for hematologists and oncologists managing intermediate/high-risk myelofibrosis.
Companies that use Sierra Oncology
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Sierra Oncology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sierra Oncology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Sierra Oncology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Geron Corporation: Geron is developing imetelstat, a telomerase inhibitor for hematologic malignancies including myelofibrosis and MDS. While mechanism differs from momelotinib, it targets overlapping patient populations and represents emerging competition in MF.
- MorphoSys (Constellation Pharmaceuticals): MorphoSys acquired Constellation Pharmaceuticals, which developed pelabresib (CPI-0610), a BET inhibitor tested in combination with ruxolitinib for myelofibrosis. Represents emerging combination-therapy competition to momelotinib in the same indication.
Direct peers
- Incyte Corporation: Incyte markets Jakafi (ruxolitinib), the established first-line standard of care for myelofibrosis and the primary competitor to Sierra Oncology's momelotinib. Both companies target the same hematology/oncology indication with JAK inhibitor mechanisms.
- CTI BioPharma (now Sobi): CTI BioPharma developed and commercialized pacritinib (Vonjo) for myelofibrosis patients with severe thrombocytopenia, a niche within the same indication as momelotinib. Direct competitor in the myelofibrosis treatment landscape.
Broad incumbents
- AbbVie: AbbVie is explicitly identified in the company data as operating in the myelofibrosis competitive landscape. As a major global pharmaceutical company with an established oncology and hematology franchise, it represents broad-incumbent competition in the indication.
- Bristol Myers Squibb: Bristol Myers Squibb markets Inrebic (fedratinib), an FDA-approved JAK inhibitor for myelofibrosis, and is a major oncology incumbent with global commercialization reach. It competes directly with momelotinib in second-line and treatment-refractory MF settings.
- GSK plc: GSK acquired Sierra Oncology and now owns momelotinib; it is the parent company and responsible for global commercialization. As a top-tier global pharmaceutical company with a dedicated oncology therapeutic area, it is the broadest incumbent relevant to Sierra's former asset.
Regional players
- PharmaEssentia: PharmaEssentia developed ropeginterferon alfa-2b (Besremi) for polycythemia vera, a related myeloproliferative neoplasm. While the indication is adjacent rather than identical, it targets the same physician specialties treating MPN patients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Sierra Oncology social profiles
Digital presenceSierra Oncology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sierra Oncology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Sierra Oncology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds13 records
Investors12 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sierra Oncology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sierra Oncology
What does Sierra Oncology do?
Sierra Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing momelotinib, an investigational oral JAK1/JAK2 and ACVR1 inhibitor intended for the treatment of myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow cancer. The company's pipeline is focused on targeted oncology therapeutics that address both the proliferative symptoms of myelofibrosis and the anemia commonly associated with the disease. As a pre-commercial company, Sierra Oncology's activities centered on advancing momelotinib through late-stage clinical development, regulatory submission, and preparation for commercialization.
Is Sierra Oncology a public or private company?
Sierra Oncology is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently acquired.
When was Sierra Oncology founded?
Sierra Oncology was founded in 2004. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Sierra Oncology based?
Sierra Oncology is headquartered in San Mateo, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Sierra Oncology's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Geron Corporation and MorphoSys (Constellation Pharmaceuticals). Direct peers are Incyte Corporation and CTI BioPharma (now Sobi). Broad incumbents are AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb and GSK plc. PharmaEssentia is listed as a regional player.
Does Sierra Oncology have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sierra Oncology.
What industry is Sierra Oncology in?
Sierra Oncology's product category is Oncology Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAAAC, Oncology & Hematology Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2834.