KURA
HealthcareKura Oncology, Inc. · Biotechnology · $1B
What is Kura Oncology, Inc.?
Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecule therapies for cancer. Headquartered in San Diego, California, the company targets genetically defined cancer subtypes with a pipeline built around precision oncology.
Kura Oncology develops small molecule drug candidates designed to block specific molecular interactions that drive cancer growth. Its lead program, ziftomenib, targets a protein-protein interaction involved in certain acute leukemias. A second candidate, tipifarnib, is being evaluated in Phase II trials across solid tumors and blood cancers. The company also collaborates with Novartis to explore combination therapies in head and neck cancers with specific genetic profiles. Revenue generation depends on future regulatory approvals, as no products are yet commercialized.
Kura Oncology was founded in 2015 and is based in San Diego, California.
- Ziftomenib — menin inhibitor targeting acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemia
- Tipifarnib — oral farnesyl transferase inhibitor in Phase II trials
- Novartis collaboration on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma combinations
- Precision oncology focus on genetically defined patient subsets
Is KURA a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates KURA as Poor overall, reflecting the early-stage nature of its pipeline and the financial profile typical of pre-revenue biotech companies.
The Growth and Risk pillars stand out as relative strengths within the overall profile. The pipeline's clinical progression and focus on genetically defined cancer populations provide a credible development pathway, while the Risk pillar suggests the company's near-term financial exposure is not among the worst in the clinical-stage peer group.
Quality and Moat are both rated Weak, consistent with a company that has no approved products, no commercial revenue, and limited competitive barriers until regulatory milestones are achieved. Valuation is rated Elevated, which warrants attention given the binary risk profile.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does KURA pay dividends?
No — Kura Oncology, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
Kura Oncology does not pay a dividend, which is standard for clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies. Available capital is directed toward funding clinical trials, research operations, and pipeline advancement. Investors in KURA are typically focused on potential long-term value from drug approvals rather than income generation.
When does KURA report earnings?
Kura Oncology reports financial results on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed public companies.
As a pre-revenue clinical-stage company, quarterly reports center on cash runway, operating expenses, and pipeline progress rather than sales or profit metrics. Clinical trial updates and regulatory communications often carry more weight than the income statement for investors tracking KURA.
For the most recent quarterly results and pipeline updates, visit Kura Oncology's investor relations page directly.
KURA Price History
-57.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Kura Oncology, Inc.?
Based on Kura Oncology, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
KURA Long-term Outlook
The Growth pillar rating of Good reflects meaningful pipeline activity, with ziftomenib and tipifarnib both advancing through clinical stages. However, the path to value realization remains contingent on trial outcomes and regulatory decisions — both inherently uncertain. The Risk pillar rating of Good provides some reassurance that near-term financial risk is managed relative to peers, but the Elevated Valuation label suggests the market may already be pricing in optimistic scenarios.
Growth drivers
- Clinical advancement of ziftomenib in acute leukemia indications
- Tipifarnib Phase II data readouts across multiple tumor types
- Novartis collaboration expanding combination therapy evidence
Key risks
- Binary clinical trial outcomes with no commercial revenue backstop
- Elevated valuation leaving limited margin of safety if trials disappoint
- Ongoing cash consumption typical of pre-revenue biotech operations
KURA vs Peers
Kura Oncology operates in a competitive clinical-stage landscape alongside other small biopharmaceutical companies pursuing specialty therapeutic areas.
LB Pharmaceuticals pursues a different therapeutic focus, distinguishing its pipeline from Kura's precision oncology approach in leukemia and solid tumors.
MannKind has moved beyond the clinical stage with a commercialized product, giving it a different financial and operational profile compared to pre-revenue Kura Oncology.
Theravance Biopharma focuses on respiratory and other specialty diseases, contrasting with Kura's exclusive concentration on oncology indications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kura Oncology do?
Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing small molecule therapies for cancer. Its pipeline targets genetically defined subtypes of acute leukemia and solid tumors, with lead candidates ziftomenib and tipifarnib currently in clinical trials. The company has no approved or commercialized products at this stage.
Does KURA pay dividends?
Kura Oncology does not pay a dividend. Clinical-stage biotechs typically reinvest all available capital into research and clinical development rather than returning cash to shareholders. Investors in KURA are generally seeking potential appreciation tied to pipeline milestones rather than income.
When does KURA report earnings?
Kura Oncology reports on a quarterly cadence standard for US-listed companies. Because it is pre-revenue, pipeline updates and cash position disclosures tend to be the most closely watched elements of each report. Check Kura Oncology's investor relations page for the current reporting schedule.
Is KURA a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates KURA as Poor overall, driven by Weak Quality and Moat scores alongside an Elevated Valuation. The Growth and Risk pillars offer relative bright spots, but the overall profile reflects the high-uncertainty nature of clinical-stage biotech investing. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is KURA overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for KURA is rated Elevated, suggesting the current market price may reflect optimistic assumptions about pipeline success. For a pre-revenue company, valuation is inherently tied to clinical trial probabilities rather than current earnings, which makes this assessment particularly relevant to monitor.
How does KURA compare to its competitors?
Among clinical-stage peers, KURA's Growth pillar stands out as a relative strength, reflecting active pipeline progression. However, its Poor overall UQS Score and Weak Quality and Moat ratings indicate it faces significant hurdles compared to companies with approved products or stronger competitive positioning.
What is KURA's market cap bracket?
Kura Oncology is classified as a small-cap company. This size bracket is common among clinical-stage biotechs, where market capitalization reflects anticipated pipeline value rather than current revenues or profits.
Who founded Kura Oncology?
Kura Oncology was founded in 2015. Founding and leadership history is publicly available through the company's official website and SEC filings for those seeking detailed background on the executive team.
Is KURA a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, UQS Score rates KURA as Poor, with Weak scores in Quality and Moat — the two pillars most associated with durable business strength. Long-term quality typically requires consistent revenue, competitive advantages, and financial resilience, none of which are yet established for a pre-revenue clinical company.
What is the main competitive advantage of Kura Oncology?
Kura Oncology's scientific focus on genetically defined cancer subsets — particularly through the menin inhibitor mechanism of ziftomenib — represents a differentiated approach within acute leukemia treatment. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, reflecting that durable competitive advantages are difficult to establish before regulatory approval and commercialization.
What sector does KURA belong to?
Kura Oncology operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within clinical-stage biopharmaceuticals. Investors can explore other [healthcare sector stocks](/sector/healthcare) rated by UQS Score to compare quality profiles across the space.
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Pro Analysis
KURA — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | 26.9 | 3.7 | 14.0 | 56.3 | 74.5 | 0.0 | +0.5 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 26.4 | 3.7 | 14.0 | 56.3 | 71.2 | 0.0 | -2.8 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | 29.2 | 3.7 | 14.0 | 70.4 | 71.2 | 0.0 | — |
KURA — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 3.7/100 (25%)Kura Oncology, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 56.3/100 (20%)Kura Oncology, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Risk
— 74.8/100 (15%)Kura Oncology, Inc. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 0.0/100 (15%)Kura Oncology, Inc. appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.
Moat
— 14/100 (25%)Kura Oncology, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for KURA.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the KURA UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Kura Oncology, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Kura Oncology, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Kura Oncology, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.