Preclinical Data for Kura Oncology Development Compounds to be Presented at AACR Annual Meeting 2017

LA JOLLA, Calif., March 29, 2017 -- Kura Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq:KURA), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of precision medicines, today announced that results from preclinical studies of tipifarnib, KO-947, its development candidate targeting ERK1/2 kinases, and KO-539, its development candidate targeting the menin-MLL interaction, will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017. The AACR Annual Meeting will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. from April 1-5, 2017.

The following posters will be presented during the conference. Abstracts are available at www.aacr.org.

Apr. 3, 2017, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT – Abstract 2063/20 (Poster): The farnesyltransferase inhibitor tipifarnib causes dramatic tumor regression and increases survival in murine Hras^G12V driven aggressive thyroid cancers: Consequent adaptive and acquired resistance mechanisms inform combination treatments with improved responses. B. Untch et al., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Apr. 5, 2017, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EDT – Abstract 5168/11 (Poster): KO-947, a potent ERK inhibitor with robust preclinical single agent activity in MAPK pathway dysregulated tumors. F. Burrows et al., Kura Oncology, La Jolla, Calif.

Apr. 5, 2017, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EDT – Abstract 5077/22 (Poster): A novel small molecule menin-MLL inhibitor for potential treatment of MLL-rearranged leukemias. T. Wu et al., Wellspring Biosciences, La Jolla, Calif.

About Kura Oncology

Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. The company’s pipeline consists of small molecule drug candidates that target cancer signaling pathways where there is a strong scientific and clinical rationale to improve outcomes by identifying those patients most likely to benefit from treatment. Kura Oncology’s lead drug candidate is tipifarnib, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor, which is currently being studied in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials. The pipeline includes KO-947, an ERK inhibitor, and KO-539, an inhibitor of the menin-MLL protein-protein interactions. For additional information about Kura Oncology, please visit the company’s website at www.kuraoncology.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the potential utility of Kura Oncology’s drug candidates, the conduct, results and timing of preclinical studies and clinical trials and plans regarding future research and development. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include the risk that compounds that appeared promising in early research or clinical trials do not demonstrate safety and/or efficacy in later preclinical studies or clinical trials. You are urged to consider statements that include the words "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "promise, " "potential," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "continues,"  "designed," "goal," or the negative of those words or other comparable words to be uncertain and forward-looking. For a further list and description of the risks and uncertainties the Company faces, please refer to the Company's periodic and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov. Such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date they are made, and Kura Oncology assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT INFORMATION

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Robert H. Uhl
Managing Director
Westwicke Partners, LLC
(858) 356-5932                      
[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Corbae
Vice President
Canale Communications
(619) 849-5375
[email protected]