Cytokinetics

Last updated
Cytokinetics, Incorporated
Company type Public
IndustryBiotechnology industry
Founded1997;27 years ago (1997)
Founders
Headquarters,
U.S.
Key people
Products
RevenueDecrease2.svg US$7.53 million (2023)
Decrease2.svgUS$(496.2 million) (2023)
Decrease2.svgUS$(526.2 million) (2023)
Total assets Decrease2.svgUS$824.3 million (2023)
Number of employees
423 (December 2023)
Website cytokinetics.com
Footnotes /references
Financials as of December 31,2023. [1]

Cytokinetics, Incorporated, is a biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, that develops muscle activators and muscle inhibitors as potential treatments for people with diseases characterized by impaired or declining muscle function.

Contents

History

Cytokinetics was founded in 1997 by James Spudich, Ronald Vale, James Sabry and Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, four scientists at Stanford, UCSD, and UCSF. [2] Operations began in 1998.

Initially, Cytokinetics focused on the possible pharmacological targets and areas of application of drugs based on cytoskeletal proteins. [2] Eventually, the company narrowed its focus to the mechanics of muscle biology. [2] Cytokinetics develops muscle activators and muscle inhibitors to improve muscle function in patients with cardiovascular and neuromuscular diseases. [3] [4]

In 2004 the company completed its initial public offering (IPO). [5]

In January 2007, Cytokinetics named Robert I. Blum as president and CEO. [6] Prior to this, Blum has been involved in the company since its founding, with roles in business development, corporate development and R&D. [7]

In 2013, Cytokinetics finalized a licensing and discovery deal with Astellas to research treatment for muscle weakness and fatigue. [8]

In July 2020, Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals signed a financing deal with Cytokinetics, which included the rights to commercialize the drug designed to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, aficamten, in China and certain neighboring regions. [9]

Products

Omecamtiv mecarbil is a cardiac muscle activator for the potential treatment of heart failure. [10] [11] In May 2020, omecamtiv mecarbil was granted fast track designation by the FDA for the treatment of chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction. [12] Amgen purchased an option on omecamtiv mecarbil in 2006, and the two companies extended their partnership several times. [2] In June 2013, Cytokinetics and Amgen expanded their licensing deal for omecamtiv mecarbil to include Japan. In November 2020 Amgen elected to terminate the collaboration, effective May 20, 2021, and Cytokinetics regained worldwide rights to develop and commercialize omecamtiv mecarbil. [13] [14]

Reldesemtiv (previously known as CK-2127107) is a next-generation fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (FSTA) that has undergone clinical trials for ALS. [15]

Aficamten (previously known as CK-3773274) is an oral, small-molecule myosin inhibitor, to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). [3] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiomyopathy</span> Disease of the heart muscle

Cardiomyopathy is a group of primary diseases of the heart muscle. Early on there may be few or no symptoms. As the disease worsens, shortness of breath, feeling tired, and swelling of the legs may occur, due to the onset of heart failure. An irregular heart beat and fainting may occur. Those affected are at an increased risk of sudden cardiac death.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which muscle tissues of the heart become thickened without an obvious cause. The parts of the heart most commonly affected are the interventricular septum and the ventricles. This results in the heart being less able to pump blood effectively and also may cause electrical conduction problems. Specifically, within the bundle branches that conduct impulses through the interventricular septum and into the Purkinje fibers, as these are responsible for the depolarization of contractile cells of both ventricles.

Takeda Oncology is a biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is a fully owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MYH7</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

MYH7 is a gene encoding a myosin heavy chain beta (MHC-β) isoform expressed primarily in the heart, but also in skeletal muscles. This isoform is distinct from the fast isoform of cardiac myosin heavy chain, MYH6, referred to as MHC-α. MHC-β is the major protein comprising the thick filament that forms the sarcomeres in cardiac muscle and plays a major role in cardiac muscle contraction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiomegaly</span> Medical condition

Cardiomegaly is a medical condition in which the heart becomes enlarged. It is more commonly referred to simply as "having an enlarged heart". It is usually the result of underlying conditions that make the heart work harder, such as obesity, heart valve disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), and coronary artery disease. Cardiomyopathy is also associated with cardiomegaly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disopyramide</span> Chemical compound

Disopyramide is an antiarrhythmic medication used in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia. It is a sodium channel blocker and is classified as a Class 1a anti-arrhythmic agent. Disopyramide has a negative inotropic effect on the ventricular myocardium, significantly decreasing the contractility. Disopyramide also has an anticholinergic effect on the heart which accounts for many adverse side effects. Disopyramide is available in both oral and intravenous forms, and has a low degree of toxicity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astellas Pharma</span> Japanese pharmaceutical company

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a Japanese multinational pharmaceutical company, formed on 1 April 2005 from the merger of Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.. On February 5, 2020, the company announced management changes effective from April 1, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levosalbutamol</span> Chemical compound

Levosalbutamol, also known as levalbuterol, is a short-acting β2 adrenergic receptor agonist used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Evidence is inconclusive regarding the efficacy of levosalbutamol versus salbutamol or salbutamol-levosalbutamol combinations, though levosalbutamol is believed to have a better safety profile due to its more selective binding to β2 receptors versus β1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myosin light chain</span> Small polypeptide subunit of myosin

A myosin light chain is a light chain of myosin. Myosin light chains were discovered by Chinese biochemist Cao Tianqin when he was a graduate student at the University of Cambridge in England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myosin binding protein C, cardiac</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

The myosin-binding protein C, cardiac-type is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MYBPC3 gene. This isoform is expressed exclusively in heart muscle during human and mouse development, and is distinct from those expressed in slow skeletal muscle (MYBPC1) and fast skeletal muscle (MYBPC2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troponin C type 1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Troponin C, also known as TN-C or TnC, is a protein that resides in the troponin complex on actin thin filaments of striated muscle and is responsible for binding calcium to activate muscle contraction. Troponin C is encoded by the TNNC1 gene in humans for both cardiac and slow skeletal muscle. In slow skeletal muscle. structural analysis,anlaizie;10.164.138.220 Hotspot in for phone lunch everyday. Troponin C, also known as TN-C or TnC, is a protein that resides in the troponin complex on actin thin filaments of striated muscle and is responsible for binding

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MYL2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Myosin regulatory light chain 2, ventricular/cardiac muscle isoform (MLC-2) also known as the regulatory light chain of myosin (RLC) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MYL2 gene. This cardiac ventricular RLC isoform is distinct from that expressed in skeletal muscle (MYLPF), smooth muscle (MYL12B) and cardiac atrial muscle (MYL7).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MYH6</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Myosin heavy chain, α isoform (MHC-α) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MYH6 gene. This isoform is distinct from the ventricular/slow myosin heavy chain isoform, MYH7, referred to as MHC-β. MHC-α isoform is expressed predominantly in human cardiac atria, exhibiting only minor expression in human cardiac ventricles. It is the major protein comprising the cardiac muscle thick filament, and functions in cardiac muscle contraction. Mutations in MYH6 have been associated with late-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrial septal defects and sick sinus syndrome.

Nuvelo Inc. was a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs for acute cardiovascular disease, cancer and other debilitating medical conditions. On January 27, 2009, the company was acquired by ARCA Biopharma, Inc. in a reverse takeover transaction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omecamtiv mecarbil</span> Chemical compound

Omecamtiv mecarbil (INN), previously referred to as CK-1827452, is a cardiac-specific myosin activator. It is being studied for a potential role in the treatment of left ventricular systolic heart failure.

Alirocumab, sold under the brand name Praluent, is a medication used as a second-line treatment for high cholesterol for adults whose cholesterol is not controlled by diet and statin treatment. It is a human monoclonal antibody that belongs to a novel class of anti-cholesterol drugs, known as PCSK9 inhibitors, and it was the first such agent to receive FDA approval. The FDA approval was contingent on the completion of further clinical trials to better determine efficacy and safety.

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an American biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics for genetically defined diseases. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2016, Forbes included the company on its "100 Most Innovative Growth Companies" list.

BeiGene, Ltd. is a global oncology company that specializes in the development of drugs for cancer treatment. Founded in 2010 chief executive officer by John V. Oyler and Xiaodong Wang, the multinational company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts has offices in North America, Europe, South America, Asia and Australia. BeiGene has a large presence in Chinese market. BeiGene has developed several pharmaceuticals, including tislelizumab, a checkpoint inhibitor, and zanubrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mavacamten</span> Chemical compound

Mavacamten, sold under the brand name Camzyos, is a medication used to treat obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aficamten</span> Chemical compound

Aficamten (CK-274) is a cardiac myosin inhibitor developed by Cytokinetics for the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

References

  1. "Cytokinetics Reports Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results". Cytokinetics. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Cytokinetics: Keeping Its Sights On Independence". Life Science Leader. Archived from the original on 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
  3. 1 2 "Myokardia posts positive phase III for mavacamten". www.bioworld.com. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  4. "3 Biotech Stocks Surging on Positive Results". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  5. "Cytokinetics Inc (CYTK) IPO." Nasdaq. 29 Apr 2004
  6. "New CEO at Cytokinetics." San Francisco Business Times. 22 Jan 2007.
  7. "Cytokinetics: Keeping Its Sights On Independence". www.lifescienceleader.com. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  8. "Astellas bites off $490M deal to develop muscle drugs with Cytokinetics". FierceBiotech. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  9. "Cytokinetics nabs Chinese partner, up to $450M as CV becomes company focus". Endpoints News. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
  10. Penberthy, W T. "Omencamtiv Mecarbil Improves Symptoms in Patients with Moderate to Severe Heart Failure." MD Magazine. 18 Sept 2016.
  11. Casey, T. "Oral heart failure medication proves safe, effective in Phase 2 trial." Cardiovascular Business. 5 Dec 2015.
  12. "Novel myosin activator for HFrEF nets FDA fast track designation". www.healio.com. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  13. "Amgen terminates collaboration with Cytokinetics on 2 experimental heart drugs". www.spglobal.com. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  14. "Amgen kicks heart failure med back to Cytokinetics after 'GALACTIC' flop". FierceBiotech. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  15. MSc, Margarida Azevedo. "Reldesemtiv (Formerly CK-2127107) - ALS News Today" . Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  16. "Healthy data for Cytokinetics' HCM candidate". www.ddn-news.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.