Alobresib

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BridGene Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company using a proprietary chemoproteomics technology to discover and develop small molecules for high value, traditionally undruggable targets, today announced that David Sperandio, Ph.D., a medicinal chemist with more than 20 years' experience, has joined the company as the Head of Chemistry. Dr. Sperandio, an inventor on 23 patents and author of 25 peer-reviewed publications, has extensive experience leading cross-functional teams from molecule discovery through IND filing. Dr. Sperandio will lead the BridGene chemistry team and supervise research into covalent chemistry, chemical proteomics and quantitative mass spectrometry as methods for identifying undruggable targets. Additionally, Dr. Sperandio will be responsible for advancing BridGene's internal pipeline of first-in-class drugs for hard-to-drug targets in oncology. BridGene co-founder and CEO Ping Cao, Ph.D., commented, "David's addition to our leadership team and the recent Series B financing deepen BridGene's capabilities for using IMTAC™ to discover new drugs for novel and traditionally undruggable targets. David's leadership and experience will help expand BridGene's library of molecules to identify as potential drug candidates as we aim to advance a pipeline of first-in-class drugs for these new targets." Dr. Sperandio most recently served as an Executive Director at Biomea Fusion, where he led the team that identified BMF-500, a potential best-in-class targeted covalent FLT-3 inhibitor for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Prior to joining Biomea Fusion, Sperandio led a collaboration of R2M Pharma Inc. with Tenaya Therapeutics Inc., which discovered novel HDAC6 inhibitors for cardiovascular diseases and was key for the clinical development of TN-301, an experimental treatment for heart failure. Dr. Sperandio started his career at Celera Corp. and focused on the structure-guided discovery of covalent reversible serine-protease inhibitors. He later moved to Gilead Sciences Inc., where he led the chemistry team that discovered Alobresib (GS-5829), a novel BRD4 inhibitor for prostate cancer, and Presatorvir (GS-5806), the first small molecule RSV fusion inhibitor that reached the clinic and showed proof of concept in men. Dr. Sperandio commented, "I am excited to join BridGene at such a dynamic time for the company. 2022 has been a remarkable year so far, and I look forward to working closely with the management team to continue to drive the success of IMTAC™." Dr. Sperandio obtained his doctoral degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Zurich and completed his postdoctoral research at Stanford University. About BridGene Biosciences BridGene is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative small molecules that drug traditionally undruggable targets, providing new paths to treat diseases. By using its proprietary chemoproteomics platform, IMTAC™, BridGene can screen small molecules against proteins in live cells to discover drug candidates for high value and traditionally undruggable targets. For this purpose, BridGene takes advantage of its proprietary, diverse library of tagged, drug-like small molecules. The ultimate goal is to enable breakthrough small molecule drug discovery with expanded mechanisms to treat diseases with targets previously inaccessible to small molecules. The uniqueness of BridGene's technology allows it to perform IMTAC™ screening for both covalent and non-covalent molecules, target different amino acids and discover new targets for disease treatments by deconvoluting phenotypic screening hits. The company is advancing a diversified pipeline of first-in-class drugs for targets in multiple disease areas. For more information, visit . Contact Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. Investors Jonathan Nugent +1-205-566-3026 [email protected] Media Bill Borden +1-732-910-1620 [email protected] Dave Schemelia +1-609-468-9325 [email protected] SOURCE BridGene Biosciences

SAN DIEGO, July 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kura Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: KURA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Helen Collins, M.D., to its board of directors. Dr. Collins served as Chief Medical Officer at Five Prime Therapeutics, where she oversaw the development of bemarituzumab, a first-in-class anti-FGFR2b antibody for the treatment of patients with gastric cancer. “With a deep background in medical oncology/hematology and significant experience leading clinical development programs targeting cancers of high unmet need, Helen brings a valuable perspective to the board as we continue to advance our pipeline of precision medicines,” said Troy Wilson, Ph.D., J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Kura Oncology. “On behalf of Kura Oncology and our board of directors, we want to welcome her to the board and look forward to drawing upon her strategic and clinical acumen as we work to fulfill our mission of bringing new treatment options to patients.” Dr. Collins joins the Kura board of directors with more than 25 years of medical experience. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Five Prime Therapeutics, where she was responsible for the strategy and execution of the company’s clinical development plans until its acquisition by Amgen in April 2021. Previously, Dr. Collins held positions of increasing responsibility at Gilead Sciences, most recently as Program and Clinical Lead for Gilead’s GS-5829 (BET inhibitor) and GS-4059 (BTK inhibitor) programs, and Amgen, most recently as Global Lead of Oncology Biosimilars. Prior to her career in the biopharma industry, Dr. Collins practiced as a medical oncologist/hematologist for 12 years. She earned her M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, completing her residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital and oncology fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine, and her B.A. from Bryn Mawr College. “I’m pleased to join the Kura board of directors as the company continues to build on the strong foundation of its clinical and preclinical pipeline,” said Dr. Collins. “I am impressed by the preliminary data from the menin inhibitor program, KO-539, in acute myeloid leukemia, as well as the broad therapeutic potential of the tipifarnib program, and I look forward to contributing to their continued progress and success.” About Kura Oncology Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. The Company’s pipeline consists of small molecule drug candidates that target cancer signaling pathways. KO-539, a potent and selective menin inhibitor, is currently in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (KOMET-001) and targeting patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia, including patients with NPM1 mutations. Tipifarnib, a potent, selective and orally bioavailable farnesyl transferase inhibitor, has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of patients with HRAS mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and is currently in a registration-directed study (AIM-HN) in patients with this devastating disease. In addition, Kura is pursuing the use of tipifarnib in combination with other oncology therapeutics to address larger genetic subsets, including patients who have HRAS and/or PIK3CA-dependent HNSCC. The Company is also developing a next-generation farnesyl transferase inhibitor, which is intended to target innovative biology and larger oncology indications through rational combinations. For additional information about Kura, please visit the Company’s website at . Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the efficacy, safety and therapeutic potential of Kura’s drug candidates, tipifarnib and KO-539, progress and expected timing of Kura’s drug development programs and clinical trials and submission of regulatory filings, the presentation of data from clinical trials, plans regarding regulatory filings and future clinical trials, the regulatory approval path for tipifarnib, the strength of Kura’s balance sheet and the adequacy of cash on hand. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include the risk that compounds that appeared promising in early research or clinical trials do not demonstrate safety and/or efficacy in later preclinical studies or clinical trials, the risk that Kura may not obtain approval to market its drug candidates, uncertainties associated with performing clinical trials, regulatory filings, applications and other interactions with regulatory bodies, the risks associated with reliance on third parties to successfully conduct clinical trials, the risks associated with reliance on outside financing to meet capital requirements, the risks associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic, and other risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs. You are urged to consider statements that include the words "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "promise," "potential," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "continues," "designed," "goal," or the negative of those words or other comparable words to be uncertain and forward-looking. For a further list and description of the risks and uncertainties the Company faces, please refer to the Company's periodic and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at . Such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date they are made, and Kura assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts Company:Pete De SpainVice President, Investor Relations &Corporate Communications(858) 500-8803pete@kuraoncology.com Investors:Robert H. UhlManaging DirectorWestwicke ICR(858) 356-5932robert.uhl@westwicke.com Media:Jason SparkManaging DirectorCanale Communications(619) 849-6005jason@canalecomm.com