Kymera Therapeutics Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides a Business Update
KT-621 (STAT6) IND cleared by FDA and dosing in the Phase 1 clinical trial initiated, with data expected in the first half of 2025
Sanofi expanding KT-474/SAR444656 (IRAK4) Phase 2 clinical trials in HS and AD to dose ranging Phase 2b studies to accelerate overall development timelines; completion of both expanded trials expected by mid-2026
KT-295, a new TYK2 degrader, selected as the development candidate to advance into Phase 1 clinical trial in the first half of 2025, in line with prior program guidance
Company to shift focus and resources from oncology to its expanding immunology pipeline, and will only advance KT-333 (STAT3) and KT-253 (MDM2) beyond Phase 1 with a partner
Well-capitalized with $911 million in cash as of September 30, 2024, and runway into mid-2027
Company to hold call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. ET
WATERTOWN, Mass., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:KYMR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing a new class of small molecule medicines using targeted protein degradation (TPD), today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided business highlights and updates on its pipeline of first- and best-in-class protein degraders.
"This has been an important year for Kymera with an increased focus on the exciting opportunities we have in immunology and programs that have the potential to transform the treatment landscape for millions of patients around the globe," said Nello Mainolfi, PhD, Founder, President and CEO, Kymera Therapeutics. "We are particularly excited about the initiation of the Phase 1 trial for KT-621, our first-in-class STAT6 degrader. This is a target that perfectly fits the value proposition of oral degraders with biologics-like activity, and we are excited and proud to be the first company to advance a drug candidate for this mechanism into the clinic. The preclinical profile of KT-621 is compelling, particularly its ability to replicate the biology of upstream biologics like dupilumab, which we look forward to translating in the clinic with an initial Phase 1 data readout in the first half of 2025. In addition, Sanofi's decision to expand both the HS and AD studies with KT-474 into dose ranging Phase 2b studies is a testament to their strong interest in exploring even more comprehensively the IRAK4 degradation mechanism and this drug candidate given all the supporting data generated so far."
Dr. Mainolfi added, "Given the significant progress and potential of our immunology pipeline, we have made the decision to shift our resources toward our discovery and development efforts in immunology. As a result, we will advance our clinical stage oncology programs beyond Phase 1 only in the context of a partnership. Focusing our resources and efforts on our work in immunology reflects our financial discipline around program prioritization to address large patient populations with significant need and clear substantial commercial opportunities."
Business Highlights, Recent Developments and Upcoming Milestones
STAT6 Degrader Program
KT-621 is an investigational, first-in-class, once daily, oral degrader of STAT6, the specific transcription factor responsible for IL-4/IL-13 signaling and the central driver of TH2 inflammation, currently in Phase 1 testing. In preclinical studies, KT-621 was well tolerated with exquisite selectivity and fully blocked IL-4/IL-13 functions in key human TH2 cellular assays and in in vivo models of TH2 inflammation with comparable or superior activity to dupilumab. KT-621 has the potential to address numerous TH2 diseases including atopic dermatitis, asthma and COPD, among others.
In October, Kymera initiated dosing in the Phase 1 healthy volunteer clinical trial evaluating single and multiple ascending doses of KT-621, a potent and selective oral degrader of STAT6. The Phase 1 trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of KT-621 compared to placebo. The Company expects to report Phase 1 data in the first half of 2025. More information on the KT-621 Phase 1 study will be available on www.clinicaltrials.gov.
The Company presented preclinical data at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress and the American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Meeting. The new findings showed strong degradation of STAT6 in human sensory neurons resulted in inhibition of IL-13-induced itch- and pain-related gene transcripts, highlighting the potential of KT-621 to alleviate these symptoms in atopic dermatitis patients by effectively targeting and modulating the STAT6 pathway.
IRAK4 Degrader ProgramKT-474 (SAR444656) is an investigational, first-in-class, once daily, oral degrader of IRAK4, a key protein involved in inflammation. Phase 2 clinical trials for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and atopic dermatitis (AD), in collaboration with Sanofi, are currently ongoing. In the Phase 1 study, KT-474 demonstrated robust degradation of IRAK4 in the blood and skin of healthy volunteers and patients with HS and AD, demonstrating a systemic anti-inflammatory effect and preliminary evidence of clinical activity.
In July, Kymera announced that Sanofi had communicated to Kymera the intent to expand the ongoing KT-474 Phase 2 trials in HS and AD following an interim review of KT-474/SAR444656 safety and efficacy data by an independent data monitoring committee. The expansion of the ongoing HS and AD Ph2 studies to larger dose-ranging Phase 2b studies is intended to accelerate overall development timelines and enable a subsequent transition into registrational Phase 3 trials.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (ZEN trial): The study has been expanded from 99 to 156 patients. Previously, the trial included one active dose of KT-474 as well as placebo. The study will now include an additional dose. The estimated primary completion date for the ZEN trial is now in the first half of 2026.
Atopic Dermatitis (ADVANTA Trial): The study has been expanded from 115 to 200 patients. Previously, the trial included two active doses of KT-474 as well as placebo. The study will now include an additional dose. The estimated primary completion date for the ADVANTA trial is now in the middle of 2026.
In July, results from the Company's non-interventional trial evaluating IRAK4 expression in patients with HS were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. The results support the role of IRAK4 signaling in HS and the potential of IRAK4 degradation to impact the clinical manifestations of HS, AD, and potentially other TLR/IL-1R-driven immuno-inflammatory diseases.
In August, the Company published on the discovery of KT-474 in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry highlighting the exploration of structure–activity relationships that ultimately led to the identification of the first-in-class oral IRAK4 degrader, KT-474, and reinforcing Kymera's innovative molecular design strategies.
TYK2 Degrader Program
KT-295 is an investigational, first-in-class, once daily, oral degrader of TYK2, a member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family required for Type I IFN, IL-12 and IL-23 signaling. In preclinical studies, unlike traditional small molecule inhibitors, KT-295 has demonstrated picomolar degradation potency and potent inhibition of the IL-23, IL-12 and Type I IFN pathways while sparing IL-10, showing its potential to recapitulate the biology of human TYK2 loss-of-function mutations. KT-295 has the potential to be the first oral therapy to deliver biologics-like activity in diseases such as IBD and psoriasis, among others.
The Company nominated a new TYK2 development candidate, KT-295, a potent, selective, once daily oral degrader, and has prioritized this compound for clinical evaluation. KT-295 has picomolar potency and is highly selective for TYK2, while also demonstrating greater in vivo activity in preclinical animal models compared to KT-294, the Company's previously identified TYK2 degrader.
Kymera intends to advance KT-295 into Phase 1 clinical testing in the first half of 2025, which is consistent with prior program guidance. The Company expects to report Phase 1 data later that year.
Oncology Degrader Programs
Dose escalation and enrollment have been completed for both the KT-333 and KT-253 Phase 1 trials. Based on an overall assessment of its clinical oncology programs, and given progress across the immunology pipeline, the Company has made the strategic decision not to continue development of KT-333 (STAT3) and KT-253 (MDM2) beyond Phase 1. Kymera plans to present STAT3 Phase 1 data at a poster presentation at ASH in December. The Company is evaluating partnership opportunities to advance the oncology pipeline beyond its current stage.
Corporate Updates
In August, the Company announced the closing of an upsized underwritten equity offering, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $247 million. With these proceeds, the Company extended its cash runway into mid-2027.
Program Background Information
For more information on Kymera's pipeline visit our website.
Financial Results
Collaboration Revenues: Collaboration revenues were $3.7 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $4.7 million for the same period of 2023. Collaboration revenues in the third quarter of 2024 were all attributable to the Company's Sanofi collaboration.
Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses were $60.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $48.1 million for the same period of 2023. This increase was primarily due to increased expenses related to the investment in the Company's STAT6 degrader program, platform and discovery programs, as well as an increase in occupancy and related costs due to continued growth in the research and development organization. Stock based compensation expenses included in R&D were $7.6 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $5.8 million for the same period in 2023.
General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $15.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $14.1 million for the same period of 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in legal and professional service fees in support of the Company's growth and an increase in personnel, facility, occupancy, and other expenses to support growth as a public company. Stock based compensation expenses included in G&A were $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $5.9 million for the same period in 2023.
Net Loss: Net loss was $62.5 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to a net loss of $52.9 million for the same period of 2023.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: As of September 30, 2024, Kymera had $911 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments. Kymera expects that its cash and cash equivalents will provide the Company with an anticipated cash runway into mid-2027. Its existing cash is expected to take the Company beyond the Phase 2 data for KT-474 and several clinical inflection points for its STAT6 and TYK2 programs while Kymera continues to identify opportunities to accelerate growth and expand its pipeline, technologies and clinical indications.
Conference Call
Kymera will host a conference call and webcast today, October 31, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET. To access the conference call via phone, please dial +1 (833) 630-2127 or +1 (412) 317-1846 (International) and ask to join the Kymera Therapeutics call. A live webcast of the event will be available under News and Events in the Investors section of the Company's website at www.kymeratx.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available following the event for three months.
About Kymera TherapeuticsKymera is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) to develop medicines that address critical health problems and have the potential to dramatically improve patients' lives. Kymera is deploying TPD to address disease targets and pathways inaccessible with conventional therapeutics. Having advanced the first degrader into the clinic for immunological diseases, Kymera is focused on building an industry-leading pipeline of oral small molecule degraders to provide a new generation of convenient, highly effective therapies for patients with these conditions. Founded in 2016, Kymera has been recognized as one of Boston's top workplaces for the past several years. For more information about our science, pipeline and people, please visit www.kymeratx.com or follow us on X or LinkedIn.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, implied and express statements about our expectations regarding strategy, business plans and objectives on the clinical development of clinical and preclinical pipeline, Sanofi's expansion of the Phase 2 clinical trials of KT-474/SAR444656, the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of KT-621 and expected initial data readout of KT-621 in the first half of 2025, the declaration of KT-295 as a development candidate and the decision not to advance KT-333 and KT-253 beyond Phase 1 without a partner and Kymera's financial condition and expected cash runway into mid-2027. The words "may," "might," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "seek," "predict," "future," "project," "potential," "continue," "target" and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, risks associated with: uncertainties inherent in the ...
