Kymera Therapeutics is making significant strides in its immunology pipeline, highlighted by the advancement of several degrader programs targeting key inflammatory pathways. The company presented its 2025 objectives, emphasizing its focus on oral small molecule degrader medicines with biologics-like activity for immunological diseases.
STAT6 Degrader Program: KT-621
KT-621, a first-in-class oral degrader of STAT6, is currently undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials. STAT6 is a transcription factor implicated in various Th2 inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis and asthma. Preclinical data have demonstrated that KT-621 exhibits activity comparable or superior to dupilumab in in vivo models of Th2 inflammation. The Phase 1 trial is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of KT-621 in healthy volunteers, with data expected in the second quarter of 2025. A Phase 1b trial in atopic dermatitis patients is planned for the second quarter of 2025, with data anticipated by the fourth quarter. Furthermore, Phase 2b trials for atopic dermatitis and asthma are slated to begin in late 2025 and early 2026, respectively.
TYK2 Degrader Program: KT-295
Kymera is also advancing KT-295, a TYK2 degrader, into Phase 1 testing in the second quarter of 2025, with results expected later that year. TYK2 is a member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family required for Type I IFN, IL-12, and IL-23 signaling. Preclinical studies of KT-295 have 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.
IRAK4 Degrader Program: KT-474
KT-474, an IRAK4 degrader being developed in collaboration with Sanofi, is in Phase 2b studies for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and atopic dermatitis (AD), with completion expected in the first half of 2026 and mid-2026, respectively. Phase 1 study results 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. The expansion of the ongoing HS and AD Phase 2 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.
Novel Oral Immunology Program
Kymera plans to disclose a novel oral immunology program in the first half of 2025. This program will target an undrugged transcription factor, with clinical testing expected to commence in early 2026. This initiative underscores Kymera's commitment to expanding its immunology pipeline and addressing unmet needs in inflammatory diseases.
With a strong financial position of $850 million in cash, Kymera is well-positioned to advance its clinical pipeline. The company's emphasis is on leveraging targeted protein degradation technology to produce oral drugs with biologic-like efficacy for inflammatory diseases with significant unmet needs.
