** Shares of biotech firm Kura Oncology KURA.O rise around 3% to $8.99 in premarket trading

** Experimental drug ziftomenib helped treat acute myeloid leukemia, a fast-growing blood cancer affecting the bone marrow, in an early- to mid-stage trial, co says

** Most patients had no measurable disease and responses lasted over time, co says

** Adds, safety profile was manageable with no new concerns, with data supporting late-stage study KOMET-017 in newly diagnosed patients

** As of last close, stock down around 16% YTD