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§ Private Profile · Boston, MA, USA
Clinical-stage biopharma developing targeted therapies for cancer patients, focused on Hippo pathway inhibitors and molecular glues.
Ikena Oncology has raised $249.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at Ikena Oncology.
Ikena Oncology has raised $249.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Ikena Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Boston, Massachusetts, focused on developing targeted therapies for cancer patients by addressing nodes of growth, spread, and therapeutic resistance through structural biology-guided chemistry. The company's pipeline includes programs like IK-930, a TEAD1-selective Hippo pathway inhibitor, and IK-595, a molecular glue for MEK and RAF. Operating with 43 employees and generating under $5 million in revenue, Ikena is a public entity trading on NASDAQ as IKNA. The firm has engaged in strategic partnerships, including a licensing deal with Bristol-Myers Squibb for certain targets and a recent global exclusive license agreement with Foundery Immune Studio for three assets, including PY314. Noted executives include Frederic St-Denis-Bisson, and the company also has an agreement for a merger with Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals. Ikena Oncology was founded in 2016 by Mark Manfredi, who also serves as President and CEO.
Key people at Ikena Oncology.
Ikena Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: IKNA) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing targeted therapies for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers, focusing on precision oncology by targeting key signaling pathways like Hippo and RAS that drive tumor growth, spread, and resistance.[1][2][3] Its lead programs include IK-930, an oral small molecule inhibitor of the TEAD transcription factor for Hippo pathway-altered cancers such as mesothelioma, and IK-595, a MEK-RAF molecular glue targeting RAS signaling; these address unmet needs in specific patient populations with high response potential, serving oncology patients through innovative drug candidates backed by substantial venture capital.[1][2]
The company prioritizes patient well-being via scientific rigor, urgency, collaboration, and integrity, with a streamlined organization reallocating resources from early discovery to advancing these clinical assets amid a negative P/E ratio of -2.23 as of recent data.[1][2][3]
Ikena Oncology originated from Kyn Therapeutics, Inc., rebranding to Ikena Oncology, Inc. in December 2019, with its principal office in Boston at 645 Summer Street.[7] Established as an early-stage biotech with significant venture capital for capital-intensive drug development, it emerged from a foundation in scientific innovation targeting unmet oncology needs, leveraging deep cancer biology expertise.[1][3][7]
Key leadership includes executives like Dr. Manfredi (oncology drug development), Dr. Ecsedy (drug development navigation), and others driving pipeline translation from research to trials, humanizing its patient-focused mission through rigorous advancement of novel targets.[4]
Ikena rides the precision oncology trend, targeting complex signaling networks like Hippo and RAS—key drivers of tumor resistance amid rising demand for genetically matched therapies in a market favoring biologics and small molecules.[1][2][3] Timing aligns with biotech evolution toward pathway-specific inhibitors, bolstered by collaborations and clinical momentum, positioning it against competitors in a competitive landscape where internal discovery differentiates leaders.[3][5]
It influences the ecosystem by advancing first-in-class candidates, fostering scientific partnerships, and contributing to managed cancer care through improved efficacy in hard-to-treat solid tumors.[2][3][4]
Ikena is poised to advance IK-930 and IK-595 through clinical milestones, with next earnings on August 7, 2025, potentially driving valuation amid streamlined operations and oncology tailwinds like AI-aided target discovery.[2][3] Trends in RAS/Hippo modulation and precision combos will shape progress, evolving its influence as a pipeline-focused player delivering on patient-directed innovation—reinforcing its mission to target cancer's complexity for transformative impact.[1][2]
Ikena Oncology has raised $249.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $120.0M Series B in January 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 5, 2021 | $120M Series B | Otello Stampacchia | Atlas Venture, Bristol Myers Squibb, BVF Partners, Cowen Healthcare Investments, Farallon Capital Management, Fidelity Management & Research Company, HealthCor, Invus, Logos Capital, OrbiMed, Surveyor Capital | Announced |
| Jan 18, 2019 | $80M Venture Round | Robert M. Hershberg | — | Announced |
| Dec 14, 2017 | $49M Series A | Atlas Venture, OrbiMed | — | Announced |
Ikena Oncology has raised $249.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Ikena Oncology's investors include Otello Stampacchia, Atlas Venture, Bristol Myers Squibb, BVF Partners, Cowen Healthcare Investments, Farallon Capital Management, Fidelity Management & Research Company, HealthCor, Invus, Logos Capital, OrbiMed, Surveyor Capital.
