Peel Back the “Undruggable”: Kumquat’s Path to Cracking KRAS-Driven Cancers

What happens when a group of veteran chemists decide to take on one of oncology’s most notorious challenges?  In this episode of BioTales, we explore the remarkable journey of Kumquat Biosciences—a biotech startup whose audacious goal is to tame the “undruggable” KRAS mutations and to re‑imagine how small molecules can awaken the immune system.  Through a narrative filled with scientific intrigue, boardroom gambits and the resilience of a tiny citrus fruit, we follow the company’s path from its founding in 2018 to major partnerships with Eli Lilly, Takeda and Bayer. You’ll meet co‑founders Yi Liu and Pingda Ren, learn about their past successes in targeting KRAS, and hear how Kumquat’s new wave of small‑molecule immunotherapies could change the way we treat some of the deadliest cancers. Join us for a deep dive into the science, strategy and stories behind one of oncology’s most intriguing young companies.

Kumquat Biosciences, Bayer, KRAS, cancer treatment, biotechnology, immuno-oncology, drug development, covalent inhibitors, small molecules, oncology