Caspian Therapeutics and Kura Oncology presented preclinical results for KO‑7246, an oral menin inhibitor for diabetes, at EASD on September 29, 2026. In rodent models, KO‑7246 normalized fasting glucose, increased insulin and C‑peptide, and boosted β‑cell mass (up to 3.4‑fold in a Type 2 model), with some effects lasting at least a month after dosing stopped. Human islet studies showed increased β‑cell proliferation and improved glucose‑stimulated insulin secretion without stimulating other islet cell types. The programme remains in IND‑enabling preclinical development; a company webcast is scheduled for October 13, 2026.
Caspian and Kura Present Promising Preclinical Data for KO-7246, an Oral Menin Inhibitor for Diabetes
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Caspian Therapeutics and Kura Oncology (NASDAQ: KURA) presented preclinical data for KO-7246, an oral menin inhibitor being developed for diabetes, at the 62nd European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeting in Milan on September 29, 2026. The data were generated by Kura Oncology prior to Caspian's formation and were presented by Kura's Chief Scientific Officer, Francis Burrows.
Key Preclinical Findings
KO-7246 is an orally bioavailable small molecule currently in IND‑enabling development. The companies emphasized that all results are preclinical and do not establish safety or efficacy in humans.
Type 1 Diabetes (Rat Model)
In a rat model of Type 1 diabetes, KO-7246 normalized fasting blood glucose in a majority of treated animals and increased stimulated C‑peptide, a marker of endogenous insulin production. Pancreatic islets in responding animals regenerated to approximately 40%–90% of the levels observed in healthy controls by Day 56. According to the presenters, the normalized glucose levels and elevated C‑peptide persisted for at least one month after treatment was discontinued.
Type 2 Diabetes (Mouse Model)
In a separate mouse model of Type 2 diabetes, KO-7246 reduced fasting blood glucose and increased insulin and C‑peptide levels. The compound was associated with a 3.4‑fold increase in β‑cell mass in that model. The companies reported enhanced activity when KO-7246 was combined with semaglutide. Notably, the observed rise in insulin was not accompanied by hypoglycaemia in the tested models.
Human Islet Studies
In ex vivo human pancreatic islet preparations, KO-7246 increased β‑cell proliferation and improved glucose‑responsive insulin secretion without stimulating proliferation of other islet cell types, according to the presented data.
Comparative Preclinical Data
The presentation included a preclinical comparison with BMF‑219 (icovamenib), another diabetes candidate. Caspian and Kura reported that BMF‑219 showed no measurable activity against menin in a biochemical assay and did not normalize glycaemic control or increase β‑cell mass in the Type 1 diabetes model used. The supplied materials did not include a response from BMF‑219's developer regarding those comparative data.
"Caspian was formed to translate this biology into potentially disease‑modifying medicines," said Robert Spencer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Caspian Therapeutics. "We are advancing KO‑7246 through IND‑enabling development toward initial clinical evaluation."
Next Steps and Disclosures
The programme remains at the preclinical stage; the companies did not provide a timeline for first‑in‑human studies. Caspian and Kura plan a webcast and conference call on October 13, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the data. The presentation noted Kura Oncology's stock listing but provided no specific stock price in the materials.
Caution: These findings are limited to laboratory and animal models. Results in animals and human tissue preparations are encouraging but require formal clinical evaluation to determine safety and efficacy in patients.
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