Kura Oncology gains as FDA accepts marketing application for blood cancer drug

Kura Oncology KURA.O shares jump 14% to $6.49 in pre-market trading

KURA and Japan-based Kyowa Kirin 4151.T say the US FDA accepted marketing application for ziftomenib

The drug, if approved, could be used to treat patients with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer

The disease affects about 22,000 people in the US every year, according to American Cancer Society

Ziftomenib is a potential first-of-its-kind treatment for this aggressive form of leukemia, the cos say

The FDA has granted priority review and is likely to decide by November 30 this year, they added

YTD, stock down 34.7%, as of last close