Kairos Pharma has entered into binding terms to acquire CL-273, an investigational, reversible, wild-type-sparing pan‑EGFR small‑molecule inhibitor, from Celyn Therapeutics. 

CL-273 was discovered using a proprietary AI-driven drug discovery platform. It targets the resistant mutations that develop when using EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, thereby reversing resistance.  

It is specifically engineered for EGFR‑mutant non-small lung cancer (NSCLC), a market that is estimated at $16.2 billion in 2026 (Future Market Insights). EGFR mutations are present in approximately 10-15% of NSCLC cases in Western populations and up to 50% in Asian populations (CoherentMI). 

John Yu, Kairos Pharma Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The signing of binding terms to acquire CL‑273 represents a pivotal step in building Kairos Pharma’s next generation of targeted therapies for EGFR‑mutant lung cancer. This transaction is expected to be value‑accretive. CL‑273’s AI‑designed, wild‑type‑sparing pan‑EGFR profile positions it as a potentially best‑in‑class asset in a large, fast‑growing $16.2 billion lung cancer market with significant unmet needs due to the development of resistance.” 

Celyn was created with backing from OrbiMed and Torrey Pines Investment. Kairos Pharma believes that OrbiMed’s support of Celyn underscores the quality of CL‑273’s discovery. By acquiring CL‑273, Kairos aims to accelerate the development of a next‑generation, AI‑designed EGFR inhibitor for patients with EGFR‑mutant NSCLC worldwide. 

Kairos Pharma’s lead candidate, ENV-105, is an antibody that targets CD105 – a protein identified as a key driver of resistance and disease relapse in response to standard therapy. ENV-105 aims to reverse drug resistance by targeting CD105 and restore the effectiveness of standard therapies across multiple cancer types.  

Currently, ENV-105 is in a Phase II clinical trial for castrate-resistant prostate cancer and a Phase I trial for non-small cell lung cancer.