Kairos Pharma Signs Binding Agreement to Acquire Worldwide Rights to AI-Designed EGFR Inhibitor CL-273

Key Highlights

• Kairos Pharma (NYSE American: KAPA) enters binding terms to acquire exclusive global rights to CL-273, an AI-designed pan-EGFR inhibitor for EGFR-mutant lung cancer, from Celyn Therapeutics, a company backed by OrbiMed and Torrey Pines Investment.
• CL-273 aims to address a \$16.2 billion market opportunity in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• The acquisition is expected to significantly expand KAPA’s oncology pipeline and positions the company in a high-growth, high-unmet need therapeutic area.
• Kairos Pharma highlights the transaction as “value-accretive” and potentially “best-in-class” due to CL-273’s wild-type-sparing profile and AI-driven design.
• D. Boral Capital, LLC acted as the sole financial advisor for the transaction.

Detailed Summary

Los Angeles, CA – March 2, 2026 – Kairos Pharma, Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in innovative cancer therapeutics, has announced the signing of binding terms to acquire CL-273 from Celyn Therapeutics. This acquisition grants Kairos Pharma exclusive worldwide rights to CL-273, a next-generation, AI-designed pan-EGFR inhibitor specifically engineered for EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

According to CEO Dr. John Yu, the transaction is expected to play a pivotal role in building Kairos Pharma’s next generation of targeted therapies for EGFR-mutant lung cancer. He emphasized that the addition of CL-273, which was discovered using a proprietary AI-driven drug discovery platform, strategically expands the company’s oncology pipeline and positions it for growth in a market with substantial unmet needs due to resistance to existing EGFR therapies.

CL-273 is particularly notable for its reversible, wild-type-sparing pan-EGFR profile, making it a potential best-in-class asset. The drug is designed to target and overcome resistant mutations that limit the effectiveness of existing EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The global market for EGFR-mutated NSCLC is projected to reach \$16.2 billion by 2026, with EGFR mutations present in 10–15% of Western NSCLC cases and up to 50% of Asian cases, representing a large addressable patient population.

Celyn Therapeutics, the originator of CL-273, brings deep expertise in small-molecule oncology drug development and is backed by prominent healthcare investors OrbiMed and Torrey Pines Investment. The acquisition aligns Kairos Pharma with OrbiMed’s strong track record in building category-defining oncology companies.

Pipeline Update and Strategic Rationale

Kairos Pharma’s lead candidate, ENV-105, is an antibody therapy targeting CD105—a protein linked to drug resistance and disease relapse in various cancers. ENV-105 is currently in Phase 2 trials for castrate-resistant prostate cancer and Phase 1 trials for NSCLC. The addition of CL-273 complements the company’s focus on overcoming drug resistance and immune suppression in cancer, potentially accelerating its growth trajectory.

The transaction is expected to be value-accretive and significantly enhances Kairos Pharma’s prospects in the competitive oncology market. The company believes the rigor of the data supporting CL-273 and the partnership with Celyn Therapeutics and OrbiMed add high-quality science and credibility to its pipeline, which may be a key value driver for shareholders.

Shareholder-Relevant and Price-Sensitive Information

• Strategic expansion of pipeline: Acquisition of a late-preclinical/early-clinical stage EGFR inhibitor targeting a large, fast-growing market with high unmet need.
• Partnership with OrbiMed-backed company: Aligns KAPA with a top-tier investor and validates the science behind the asset.
• Potential for best-in-class profile: CL-273’s wild-type-sparing and resistance-reversing design could differentiate it from existing therapies, potentially capturing significant market share.
• Anticipated value accretion: Management expects the transaction to enhance shareholder value.
• Forward-looking statements and risks: The company cautions that the ultimate outcome depends on successful clinical development, regulatory approvals, and market adoption. The acquisition is also subject to risks around financing, execution, and scientific validation.
• D. Boral Capital, LLC’s involvement: The choice of a leading investment bank as advisor may signal the seriousness and strategic intent behind the deal.

About the Parties

• Kairos Pharma, Ltd.: Based in Los Angeles and traded on NYSE American (KAPA), the company focuses on overcoming drug resistance in cancer, with a lead asset targeting CD105 and a pipeline now expanded by CL-273.
• Celyn Therapeutics, Inc.: Privately held, Delaware-based biotech backed by OrbiMed and Torrey Pines Investment, specializing in small-molecule drugs for cancer.
• D. Boral Capital, LLC: A premier, relationship-driven global investment bank headquartered in New York, with a strong track record in middle-market and emerging growth company advisory.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements regarding the acquisition, development prospects for CL-273, anticipated market opportunity, and potential benefits to Kairos Pharma and its shareholders. Actual outcomes may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties related to financing, clinical development, regulatory approval, competitive dynamics, and other factors described in KAPA’s public filings and risk disclosures.

Investor Relations Contact

Kairos Pharma, Ltd. – Investor Relations
Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Investors should perform their own due diligence and consult with their financial advisors before making investment decisions. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to risks and uncertainties as detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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