Cytokinetics

Cytokinetics was founded in 1997 by James Spudich, Ronald Vale, James Sabry and Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, four scientists at Stanford, UCSD, and UCSF. Operations began in 1998.

Initially, Cytokinetics focused on the possible pharmacological targets and areas of application of drugs based on cytoskeletal proteins. Eventually, the company narrowed its focus to the mechanics of muscle biology. Cytokinetics develops muscle activators and muscle inhibitors to improve muscle function in patients with cardiovascular and neuromuscular diseases.In 2004 the company completed its initial public offering .In January 2007, Cytokinetics named Robert I. Blum as president and CEO. Prior to this, Blum has been involved in the company since its founding, with roles in business development, corporate development and R&D.In 2013, Cytokinetics finalized a licensing and discovery deal with Astellas to research treatment for muscle weakness and fatigue.In July 2020, Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals signed a financing deal with Cytokinetics, which included the rights to commercialize the drug designed to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, aficamten, in China and certain neighboring regions.