Bayer and Kumquat Biosciences Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company founded by pioneers of the KRAS pathway, have entered into an exclusive global license and collaboration to develop and commercialize Kumquat’s KRAS G12D inhibitor. Under the agreement, Kumquat is responsible for the initiation and completion of the Phase Ia study, while Bayer will complete development and commercial activities.
Kumquat received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the investigational new drug (IND) for its KRAS G12D inhibitor in July 2025. Under the terms of the agreement, Kumquat will receive up to $1.3 billion, including upfront, clinical and commercial milestones, and additional tiered royalties on net sales. Kumquat retains an exclusive option to negotiate for participating in profit-loss sharing in the US.
Juergen Eckhardt, M.D., Head of Business Development and Licensing at Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division said “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.”
“KRAS mutations are crucial for cancer development and can be targeted with specific therapies in a more selective manner,” said Dominik Ruettinger, M.D., Ph.D., Global Head of Research and Early Development for Oncology at Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division. “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.”
