For 25 years, Cytokinetics has been developing potential medicines to improve the healthspan of people with devastating cardiovascular and neuromuscular diseases of impaired muscle function.
Strewngth in Science for 25 Years

The vision behind our mission
Cytokinetics was founded in 1997 by four pioneers in the field of muscle biology: James Sabry, M.D., Ph.D.; James Spudich, Ph.D.; Ronald Vale, Ph.D.; and Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, Ph.D. Operations began in 1998 in South San Francisco, California. Their academic research and discoveries relating to the cytoskeleton, cell mechanics and molecular motor proteins formed the scientific platform for the company. Upon its founding, Cytokinetics pursued multiple therapeutic programs in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory and infectious diseases, but in 2008 the company discontinued research activities in oncology and realigned with a focus to muscle biology. Since then, the company has built a robust pipeline of sarcomere-directed therapies with promise for people living with diseases characterized by muscle weakness, loss and dysfunction.
Today, we are a team of innovators, creators, solution-seekers and dreamers working collaboratively for the benefit of the patients we serve. With three late-stage potential medicines in development and more on the horizon, we are pursuing our vision to be the leading muscle biology biopharmaceutical company that meaningfully improves the lives of patients with diseases of impaired muscle function through access to novel medicines arising from its research.