Kairos Pharma Ltd. (NYSE American: KAPA) announced that it has signed a term sheet for a strategic asset acquisition from Celyn Therapeutics Inc., under which it would obtain worldwide rights to CL-273, a pre-IND, wild-type-sparing pan-EGFR inhibitor, and CL-741, a Phase 1-ready, oral type IIb c-MET kinase inhibitor targeting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The proposed acquisition would expand Kairos Pharma's oncology pipeline with late-preclinical and Phase 1-ready candidates designed to address EGFR mutations and MET-driven resistance mechanisms in NSCLC, a multi-billion dollar market.
According to the company, dual inhibition of EGFR and MET pathways could overcome compensatory signaling and extend progression-free survival, positioning the assets for potential monotherapy and combination development pending completion of the transaction. The deal underscores Kairos Pharma's commitment to targeting drug resistance in cancer, a key focus of its existing pipeline, which includes ENV-105, an antibody targeting CD105 currently in Phase 2 for castrate-resistant prostate cancer and Phase 1 for NSCLC.
Kairos Pharma is based in Los Angeles, California, and utilizes structural biology to overcome drug resistance and immune suppression in cancer. The company's lead candidate, ENV-105, aims to reverse drug resistance by targeting CD105, a protein identified as a key driver of resistance and disease relapse in response to standard therapy. ENV-105 is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial for castrate-resistant prostate cancer and a Phase 1 trial for non-small cell lung cancer, addressing significant unmet medical needs. As of the date of the press release, ENV-105 has not been approved as safe or effective by the United States Food and Drug Administration or any other comparable foreign regulator.
The acquisition of CL-273 and CL-741 would complement Kairos Pharma's existing pipeline by adding assets that specifically target resistance mechanisms in NSCLC. EGFR mutations and MET amplifications are common drivers of resistance to first-line therapies, and the dual inhibition strategy could offer new treatment options for patients who progress on current standards of care. The global NSCLC market is substantial, with ongoing demand for therapies that can overcome resistance and improve outcomes.
Kairos Pharma's decision to acquire these assets reflects a broader trend in oncology drug development, where companies are increasingly focused on combination strategies to address resistance. The term sheet marks a preliminary step, and the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/MPrrW.
Investors can stay updated on the latest news and developments regarding Kairos Pharma at the company’s newsroom: https://ibn.fm/KAPA.
