Bayer Expands Oncology Pipeline with $1.3B Kumquat Deal

Bayer has entered into a global exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Kumquat Biosciences for their KRAS G12D inhibitor, an investigational cancer drug21.

The deal could be worth up to $1.3 billion, consisting of upfront commitments and clinical and commercial milestone payments214.

Kumquat will also be eligible for tiered royalties on net sales if the drug is successfully launched21.

Bayer will gain exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Kumquat’s KRAS G12D inhibitor, which targets an oncogenic variant found in nearly 25% of human cancers, particularly pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancer23.

Kumquat’s KRAS G12D inhibitor received FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance in July 2025, allowing for the initiation of clinical trials235.

Under the partnership, Kumquat oversees Phase Ia clinical development, after which Bayer will take responsibility for further clinical, regulatory, and commercialization activities21.

Kumquat retains the option to negotiate a profit-loss sharing arrangement with Bayer in the United States21.

This collaboration is a major expansion of Bayer's precision oncology portfolio and is aimed at addressing significant unmet needs in cancer treatment, especially for KRAS G12D mutations, for which effective therapies are currently lacking23.

Sources:

1. https://www.biospace.com/business/bayer-makes-potential-1-3b-cancer-bet-in-kumquat-deal

2. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bayer-and-kumquat-biosciences-enter-global-exclusive-license-and-collaboration-in-precision-oncology-302526575.html

3. https://chemanager-online.com/en/news/bayer-and-kumquat-biosciences-agree-on-global-collaboration

4. https://firstwordpharma.com/story/5988312

5. https://www.oncologypipeline.com/apexonco/kumquats-kras-blocker-tempts-bayer