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Day One Biopharmaceuticals

A commercial-stage biotechnology company developing targeted therapies for pediatric and adult cancers, with a particular focus on tumors driven by defined molecular alterations. Day One Biopharmaceuticals is best known for developing tovorafenib, a targeted RAF inhibitor approved for pediatric low-grade glioma.

Company Overview

Day One Biopharmaceuticals develops targeted oncology medicines designed to treat cancers driven by specific genetic pathways. The company focuses on both pediatric and adult tumors, with a strategy centered on acquiring promising assets and advancing them through clinical development and commercialization.

Its first commercial product, OJEMDA (tovorafenib), targets tumors driven by alterations in the MAPK signaling pathway and is approved for certain patients with pediatric low-grade glioma.

Headquarters and Global Presence

Day One Biopharmaceuticals is headquartered in Brisbane, California, United States.

The company conducts global clinical trials and collaborates with pharmaceutical partners and academic cancer centers to advance its oncology pipeline.

Founding and History

Day One Biopharmaceuticals was founded in 2018 with a mission to develop targeted therapies for people living with cancer, particularly children and young adults who historically have had limited access to precision oncology drugs.

The company went public on Nasdaq in 2021. Its first approved therapy, OJEMDA (tovorafenib), received U.S. FDA approval for relapsed or refractory pediatric low-grade glioma driven by BRAF alterations.

In 2026, Servier agreed to acquire the company in a deal valued at approximately $2.5 billion, reflecting the commercial potential of the OJEMDA franchise and its broader oncology pipeline.

Therapy Areas and Focus

Day One’s development programs primarily target oncology indications driven by specific molecular pathways.

Key areas include:

Pediatric low-grade glioma
Solid tumors driven by MAPK pathway alterations
Rare cancers with defined molecular targets

The company’s strategy emphasizes precision oncology approaches that can be applied across both pediatric and adult populations.

Technology Platforms and Modalities

Day One develops targeted therapies based on molecular oncology mechanisms.

Key modalities include:

Small-molecule kinase inhibitors
Antibody–drug conjugates
Targeted therapies designed to inhibit MAPK signaling

The company’s drug discovery and development efforts focus on pathways such as RAF and MEK that play central roles in tumor growth.

Key Products and Pipeline

Selected programs include:

OJEMDA (tovorafenib), an oral type II RAF kinase inhibitor approved for relapsed or refractory pediatric low-grade glioma with BRAF alterations and being studied in additional tumor settings.
DAY301, a PTK7-targeted antibody-drug conjugate currently in early clinical development for solid tumors.
VRK1 program, a discovery-stage oncology program targeting tumors dependent on the VRK1 kinase.

Key Personnel

Jeremy Bender, Chief Executive Officer
Samuel Blackman, Co-Founder and Head of Research and Development

Strategic Partnerships

Partnerships play an important role in Day One’s development and commercialization strategy.

Key collaborations include:

Ipsen, which holds ex-U.S. regulatory and commercial rights to tovorafenib for pediatric low-grade glioma and potential future indications.

The company also collaborates with academic researchers and clinical oncology networks to identify and develop targeted cancer treatments.

FAQ Section

Day One focuses on precision oncology, targeting cancers driven by specific genetic alterations. Its strategy combines internal drug development with in-licensing of promising oncology assets that can address unmet needs in pediatric and adult cancers.

OJEMDA (tovorafenib) is the first approved targeted therapy specifically for relapsed or refractory pediatric low-grade glioma with BRAF alterations. These tumors represent the most common type of childhood brain tumor.

The therapy works by inhibiting RAF kinases involved in MAPK signaling, a pathway frequently activated in these tumors.

Tovorafenib is an oral, brain-penetrant type II RAF kinase inhibitor designed to block signaling through the MAPK pathway. This pathway drives tumor growth in several cancers, particularly those with BRAF mutations or fusions.

By targeting RAF signaling, the drug aims to slow or halt tumor progression.

Many targeted cancer therapies are initially developed for adult cancers, and pediatric cancers often have smaller patient populations and different molecular profiles.

Companies like Day One aim to address this gap by designing clinical programs that include both pediatric and adult patients when relevant molecular targets overlap.

Ipsen holds rights to develop and commercialize tovorafenib outside the United States. This partnership allows Day One to focus on development and U.S. commercialization while leveraging Ipsen’s international oncology infrastructure.

Servier’s planned acquisition of Day One reflects the strategic value of the OJEMDA franchise and the broader potential of the company’s oncology pipeline.

For Servier, the transaction strengthens its rare-oncology portfolio and expands its presence in pediatric cancer therapeutics.

Key developments include:

expansion of OJEMDA into first-line treatment for pediatric low-grade glioma
clinical progress of the DAY301 antibody-drug conjugate
integration of the company’s pipeline into Servier’s oncology portfolio following the acquisition.

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