STAT+: Leukemia drug data suggested a different way to treat diabetes. A new biotech will test that idea

SAN DIEGO — When Kura Oncology decided to take aim at a protein involved in cell division and signaling, researchers reported a bonus finding: Targeting the protein, menin, didn’t just control the growth of leukemia cells, it also helped control blood sugar levels in animal studies. The biotech on Wednesday announced that it is turning that insight into a new company. The new firm, Caspian Therapeutics, is launching with $50 million in financing to develop menin inhibitors for diabetes and other...