Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA)

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA) Healthcare & Pipeline Overview

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery and development of small molecule cancer therapies. The company focuses on tumor metabolism and immunology targets, advancing a pipeline of novel compounds through clinical trials and strategic collaborations within the competitive biotechnology sector.

What Is the Investment Thesis for CALA?

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. presents a high-risk, high-reward investment opportunity characteristic of clinical-stage biotechnology companies. The company's focus on tumor metabolism and immunology targets a significant area of unmet need in cancer treatment. Key value drivers include the successful advancement of its clinical pipeline, particularly INCB001158, through clinical trials. Positive clinical data readouts and potential regulatory approvals could significantly boost the company's valuation. Strategic collaborations with Incyte, Pfizer, and Antengene provide validation of Calithera's technology and potential revenue streams. However, the company faces significant risks, including clinical trial failures, regulatory hurdles, and the need for additional funding. With a market cap of 2K and only 8 employees, the company's resources are constrained, making it highly dependent on external partnerships and financing.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

CALA Key Highlights

• Calithera Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on tumor metabolism and immunology for cancer treatment.
• The company's lead asset, INCB001158, is an orally bioavailable arginase inhibitor in Phase 1/2 clinical trials.
• Calithera has strategic collaborations with Incyte Corporation, Pfizer, and Antengene Corporation Ltd.
• CB-280, an oral arginase inhibitor, has completed Phase 1b clinical trial for cystic fibrosis and chronic airway infection.
• The company's market capitalization is $0.00B, reflecting its early-stage development and associated risks.

Who Are CALA's Competitors?

CALA is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance

What Are CALA's Key Strengths?

• Novel small molecule compounds targeting tumor metabolism and immunology.
• Strategic collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies.
• Strong intellectual property portfolio.
• Experienced management team with expertise in drug discovery and development.

What Are CALA's Weaknesses?

• Limited financial resources and small employee base.
• Dependence on external partnerships for late-stage development and commercialization.
• High risk of clinical trial failures.
• OTC listed, limiting access to capital.

What Could Drive CALA Stock Higher?

• Clinical trial data readouts for INCB001158 in hematological and oncological indications.
• Potential expansion of partnerships and licensing agreements.
• Advancement of CB-280 into further clinical trials for cystic fibrosis.
• Continued collaboration with Incyte Corporation for the development of INCB001158.
• Progress in the development of ATG-037 and CB-668.

What Are the Key Risks for CALA?

• Financial-distress signal — its Altman Z-Score of -29.06 sits in the distress zone (elevated bankruptcy risk).
• Weak fundamentals — a Piotroski F-Score of 0/9 flags soft profitability, leverage or efficiency.
• Clinical trial failures and unexpected safety issues.
• Regulatory hurdles and delays in drug approval.
• Limited financial resources and dependence on external funding.
• Competition from larger pharmaceutical companies with greater resources.
• OTC listing and associated risks.

What Are the Growth Opportunities for CALA?

• Growth opportunity 1: Successful clinical development of INCB001158 represents a significant growth opportunity for Calithera. This orally bioavailable arginase inhibitor is currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for hematological and oncological indications. Positive clinical data and eventual regulatory approval could lead to substantial revenue generation. The market for cancer therapies is estimated to reach $200 billion by 2026, providing a large addressable market for INCB001158. The timeline for potential commercialization is dependent on clinical trial outcomes and regulatory review, but could occur within the next 3-5 years.
• Growth opportunity 2: The development of CB-280 for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and chronic airway infection presents another growth avenue. While not focused on oncology, this program diversifies Calithera's pipeline and targets a market with significant unmet needs. The global cystic fibrosis market is projected to reach $13.9 billion by 2029. Successful completion of clinical trials and regulatory approval could lead to a valuable new therapy for this patient population. Phase 1b clinical trial has been completed, further clinical trials are needed to advance this program.
• Growth opportunity 3: Calithera's collaboration with Incyte Corporation for the research, development, and commercialization of INCB001158 offers a significant growth opportunity. Incyte's expertise and resources can accelerate the development and commercialization of this compound. Milestone payments and royalties from Incyte could provide substantial revenue streams for Calithera. The collaboration leverages Incyte's established presence in the oncology market, enhancing the potential for successful commercialization.
• Growth opportunity 4: Expanding partnerships and licensing agreements with other pharmaceutical companies represents a key growth strategy. Calithera's collaboration with Pfizer to evaluate combinations of telaglenastat with Pfizer's PARP inhibitor talazoparib and CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib demonstrates the potential for synergistic therapies. Securing additional partnerships can provide access to new technologies, funding, and market opportunities. These collaborations can also validate Calithera's technology and enhance its credibility within the industry.
• Growth opportunity 5: Advancing the development of ATG-037, an orally-bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of CD73, and CB-668, an orally administered inhibitor of the enzyme IL4I1, represents a longer-term growth opportunity. These programs target novel mechanisms of action in cancer and could lead to breakthrough therapies. The market for immunooncology therapies is rapidly growing, driven by the success of checkpoint inhibitors. Successful development of these compounds could position Calithera as a leader in this field.

What Opportunities Does CALA Have?

• Successful clinical development and regulatory approval of its lead assets.
• Expansion of partnerships and licensing agreements.
• Advancement of its pipeline of novel compounds.
• Growing demand for targeted cancer therapies.

What Threats Does CALA Face?

• Competition from larger pharmaceutical companies with greater resources.
• Regulatory hurdles and delays in drug approval.
• Clinical trial failures and unexpected safety issues.
• Patent expirations and generic competition.

What Are CALA's Competitive Advantages?

• Proprietary small molecule compounds targeting tumor metabolism and immunology.
• Strong intellectual property portfolio protecting its key assets.
• Strategic collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies.
• Expertise in drug discovery and clinical development in oncology.

What Does CALA Do?

Calithera Biosciences, Inc., founded in 2010 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing innovative small molecule compounds for cancer treatment. The company's research focuses on tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets, aiming to create novel therapies that address unmet needs in oncology. Calithera's pipeline includes several programs in various stages of clinical development. A key asset is INCB001158, an orally bioavailable arginase inhibitor currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for hematological and oncological indications. Other notable programs include CB-280, an oral arginase inhibitor that has completed Phase 1b clinical trial for cystic fibrosis and chronic airway infection; ATG-037, an orally-bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of CD73; and CB-668, an orally administered inhibitor of the enzyme IL4I1. Calithera has established strategic collaborations with industry leaders such as Incyte Corporation, Pfizer, and Antengene Corporation Ltd. These collaborations focus on the research, development, and commercialization of specific compounds, including INCB001158 and CB-708. The company also has a license agreement with Mars, Inc. to develop and commercialize Symbioscience's portfolio of arginase inhibitors for use in human healthcare. These partnerships enhance Calithera's capabilities and expand the potential reach of its therapies.

What Products and Services Does CALA Offer?

• Discovers and develops small molecule compounds for cancer treatment.
• Focuses on tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets.
• Develops arginase inhibitors for hematology and oncology.
• Creates therapies for cystic fibrosis and chronic airway infection.
• Develops inhibitors of CD73 and IL4I1.
• Collaborates with pharmaceutical companies for drug development and commercialization.

How Does CALA Make Money?

• Develops and patents novel small molecule compounds.
• Conducts preclinical and clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its compounds.
• Partners with larger pharmaceutical companies for late-stage development and commercialization.
• Generates revenue through licensing agreements, milestone payments, and royalties.

What Industry Does CALA Operate In?

Calithera Biosciences operates within the highly competitive biotechnology industry, which is characterized by rapid innovation, high regulatory hurdles, and significant investment in research and development. The industry is driven by the increasing prevalence of cancer and the demand for more effective and targeted therapies. Companies like Calithera focus on specific areas, such as tumor metabolism and immunology, to differentiate themselves. The competitive landscape includes both large pharmaceutical companies and smaller biotech firms, all vying for market share in the oncology space. Strategic collaborations and licensing agreements are common, as companies seek to leverage each other's expertise and resources. The biotechnology industry is subject to stringent regulatory oversight by agencies such as the FDA, which can significantly impact the timeline and cost of drug development.

Who Are CALA's Key Customers?

• Pharmaceutical companies seeking to expand their oncology portfolios.
• Patients with cancer and cystic fibrosis who may benefit from novel therapies.
• Healthcare providers who prescribe and administer cancer treatments.
• Research institutions and academic centers involved in clinical trials.

How Calithera Biosciences, Inc. Is Valued

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. carries a market capitalization of 2K, placing it in the micro-cap category. Relative to its peer group, CALA's quantitative score of 39/100 is below the peer average of 76/100.

Company Profile

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. operates in the Shell Companies industry within the Financial Services sector. It is headquartered in South San Francisco, United States.

Key Financial Metrics

Return on assets is -65.8%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. A current ratio of 3.60 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations.

F-Score 0/9Financial Health

Calithera Biosciences, Inc.'s Piotroski F-Score is 0/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — flagging fundamental weakness worth scrutiny. Its Altman Z-Score of -29.06 places it in the distress zone, a signal of elevated financial risk.

FY2026 estForward Outlook

Wall Street analysts project Calithera Biosciences, Inc. revenue of about $127.4M for fiscal 2026, with EPS near $-0.77.

CALA Financials

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CALA Analyst Consensus

CALA MoonshotScore

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. Healthcare Stock: Key Questions Answered

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

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