Nurix Therapeutics announced promising preclinical results for GS-6791, a novel IRAK4 protein degrader developed through its collaboration with Gilead Sciences, at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Paris. The data demonstrate the compound's potential as a differentiated therapeutic approach for inflammatory diseases, particularly dermatologic conditions.
Mechanism and Preclinical Performance
GS-6791 is designed to selectively degrade IRAK4, a signaling protein with both kinase and scaffold functions that plays a central role in toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 family receptor (IL-1R) pathways. By degrading IRAK4, GS-6791 offers a differentiated mechanism of action compared to kinase inhibition alone.
The preclinical data presented at EADV demonstrate that GS-6791 is a potent, selective, oral IRAK4 degrader with activity across immune and epithelial systems relevant to dermatologic disease. The compound achieved near-complete knockdown in human blood and keratinocytes, showing potency against IL-1 and IL-36 signaling pathways.
Dermatologic Applications and Efficacy
In studies relevant to dermatology, GS-6791 reduced proinflammatory cytokines including IL-8, CXCL1, TSLP, and IP-10, as well as disease-associated gene expression (DEFB4B, S100 family) in keratinocytes and 3D reconstructed human epidermis. The compound demonstrated in vivo efficacy by suppressing cytokines in an IL-1β challenge model and reducing skin inflammation while improving barrier function in a mouse dermatitis model.
The data show that GS-6791 mediates sustained degradation of IRAK4, resulting in robust inhibition of IL-1- and IL-36-driven responses in skin epithelial cell systems and significant disease reduction in a preclinical model of atopic dermatitis.
Clinical Development Progress
Gilead exercised its option to license GS-6791 in March 2023, after which Gilead became responsible for all further development. The Investigational New Drug (IND) application for GS-6791 was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2025. The ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial is evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of GS-6791 following single and multiple doses in healthy volunteers, including biomarker assessment in the skin.
Strategic Partnership and Financial Terms
The Nurix-Gilead collaboration, established in June 2019, focuses on discovering, developing and commercializing up to five innovative targeted protein degradation therapies for patients with cancer and other challenging diseases. To date, Nurix has received a total of $135 million under the terms of the agreement.
For the IRAK4 program specifically, Nurix remains eligible for $420 million in potential clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments as well as up to low double-digit tiered royalties on net sales. Nurix retains the option to co-develop and co-detail up to two programs in the United States, following completion of an applicable Phase 1 clinical trial, subject to certain restrictions.
Expert Perspectives
"As a potent, orally available degrader of the IRAK4 kinase, GS-6791 has a differentiated pharmacologic profile, providing an alternative method to target IRAK4 pathway with the potential to deliver efficacy in multiple inflammatory indications," said Gwenn M. Hansen, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at Nurix. "These findings underscore the opportunity for targeted protein degradation to address complex immune signaling pathways and expand treatment possibilities for patients with inflammatory diseases."
Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Nurix, emphasized the collaboration's productivity: "Our collaboration with Gilead has been highly productive, and we are excited to see the first program from this partnership advance into the clinic. These results highlight the potential of IRAK4 degradation as a novel approach for treating inflammation and autoimmune diseases and reinforce our shared commitment to developing innovative therapies that can improve outcomes for patients."
