UTSW Spinoff's Breakthrough Drug Granted Approval for Metastatic Kidney Cancer Treatment

(from left to right) UT Southwestern researchers, Kevin Courtney, MD, PhD; James Brugarolas, MD, PhD; Richard Bruick, PhD; Steven McKnight, PhD; and David Russell, PhD, were among those involved with the scientific discoveries that helped make belzutifan a reality as a therapy for millions of people worldwide with kidney cancer.

UT Southwestern's groundbreaking kidney cancer drug, belzutifan, achieves another milestone as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration expands its approved use to include the treatment of metastatic kidney cancer.

Drs. Bruick and Gardner led the groundbreaking phase, conducting a meticulous drug screen of UT Southwestern's chemical library to pinpoint compounds capable of inhibiting HIF-2α function. Leveraging this success, UT Southwestern nurtured Peloton Therapeutics within its BioCenter, translating scientific innovation into a tangible therapeutic breakthrough. Recognizing the drug's transformative potential, Merck acquired Peloton in 2019.