Karyopharm Therapeutics

Dr. Sharon Shacham founded Karyopharm in 2008 based on research into XPO1, a nuclear export protein that removes tumor suppressor proteins from the cell nucleus in many cancers. Her team developed Selective Inhibitors of Nuclear Export (SINE) compounds that trap these suppressors inside the nucleus, restoring the cell's ability to undergo apoptosis. Shacham served as Chief Scientific Officer through the company's formative clinical years and IPO.

Karyopharm generates commercial revenue through direct U.S. sales of XPOVIO (selinexor) to oncology treatment centers for multiple myeloma and select lymphoma indications. The company reported approximately $140-150 million in annual net product revenue across 2023 and 2024. Outside the United States, the firm monetizes selinexor through regional licensing deals with partners like Menarini Group (Europe) and Antengene (China and Asia-Pacific), receiving milestone payments and royalties.

The lead expansion indications are endometrial cancer — where a Phase 3 study (SIENDO) evaluated selinexor as maintenance therapy — and myelofibrosis, where the Phase 3 SENTRY trial met its primary endpoint in 2024. The company has also explored selinexor in glioblastoma and liposarcoma. A second-generation XPO1 inhibitor, eltanexor, was previously in development for myelodysplastic syndromes but was not prioritized for further investment.

The company funds the gap between commercial revenue and operating expenses through a mix of equity sales and structured debt. In 2022 and 2023, Karyopharm entered into royalty-backed financing agreements, including with HealthCare Royalty Partners, monetizing a portion of future selinexor royalties for upfront cash. The company also carried convertible senior notes. Management has publicly targeted reaching a self-sustaining, operating-profitable model through revenue growth and pipeline prioritization.

Strategic and capital-allocation decisions sit with the CEO, currently Richard Paulson as of 2024, and the Board of Directors. Paulson brought commercial and business-development experience from Ipsen. The prior long-serving CEO and co-founder, Dr. Michael Kauffman, remained involved through the transition. Pipeline investment decisions are made by the executive leadership team based on clinical data readouts and market-sizing, rather than through a portfolio committee model.

Yes. Karyopharm maintains a patient support program called KaryForward, which offers financial assistance, insurance navigation, and educational resources to patients prescribed XPOVIO. The program is operated as a standard biopharma patient-services function integrated into the commercial organization, not as an independent philanthropic foundation.

Karyopharm retains full U.S. commercial rights for selinexor and wholly owns its clinical development programs in its core territories. It partners ex-U.S. commercialization regionally. On the clinical side, Karyopharm has historically self-sponsored its pivotal trials, including combination studies with drugs from other manufacturers — a posture that keeps the selinexor franchise wholly under its operational control rather than co-developed with a large pharma partner.