Kinaset Therapeutics Secures $103 Million Series B to Advance Novel Inhaled JAK Inhibitor for Severe Asthma
Key Insights
Kinaset Therapeutics (search) closed an oversubscribed $103 million Series B financing led by RA Capital Management (search) and Forge Life Science Partners (search) to advance frevecitinib through Phase 2 studies.
Frevecitinib is a novel inhaled pan-JAK inhibitor (search) designed to treat all patients with severe asthma (search), including those with non-eosinophilic phenotypes who lack effective treatment options.
The drug candidate represents the potential first novel mechanism inhaled anti-inflammatory agent for asthma patients in decades, delivered through a single-capsule dry powder inhaler.
Kinaset Therapeutics (search), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced the closing of an oversubscribed $103 million Series B financing to advance its lead therapeutic candidate frevecitinib through Phase 2 clinical studies. The financing round was led by new investors RA Capital Management (search) and Forge Life Science Partners (search), with participation from EQT Life Sciences (search), Vivo Capital, Schroders Capital, Willett Advisors, Pictet Alternative Advisors, Sixty Degree Capital, and existing investors Atlas Venture, 5AM Ventures, and Gimv.
Novel Approach to Severe Asthma Treatment
Frevecitinib represents a differentiated approach to treating severe asthma (search) through its mechanism as an inhaled pan-JAK inhibitor (search) targeting JAK1 (search), JAK2 (search), JAK3 (search), and TYK2 (search). The drug candidate is designed to address a critical unmet medical need in asthma treatment, particularly for patients whose condition remains inadequately controlled by standard inhaled maintenance therapies.
"Since day one, our goal has been to develop a best-in-class therapeutic for the treatment of severe inflammatory respiratory disease," said Robert Clarke, PhD, CEO of Kinaset Therapeutics (search). "Critically, and unlike the majority of existing therapeutics, frevecitinib has the potential to benefit all patients with severe asthma (search), including those with a non-eosinophilic phenotype who continue to suffer from an absence of safe and effective therapies."
Addressing Broad Asthma Population
The therapeutic candidate's broad mechanism of action positions it to address both Th2- and Th1-driven disease, representing a key advantage over existing asthma therapies that primarily target specific inflammatory pathways. This approach could potentially benefit the significant proportion of asthma patients who remain inadequately controlled on current standard of care treatments.
Henry Stusnick of RA Capital Management (search) emphasized the clinical significance, stating: "Frevecitinib has the potential to be the first novel mechanism, inhaled anti-inflammatory agent for asthma patients in decades. We are proud to support Kinaset and the continued development of its inhaled, broad acting JAK inhibitor (search) to bring this much needed treatment to all patients with severe asthma (search)."
Innovative Drug Delivery Technology
Frevecitinib is uniquely formulated as a dry powder for inhalation, delivered through a single-capsule dry powder inhaler designed to overcome drug delivery challenges that have limited previous attempts to develop inhaled JAK inhibitors. The formulation strategy aims to deliver therapeutic drug concentrations directly to lung tissue while minimizing systemic exposure, potentially reducing the risk of systemic side effects associated with JAK inhibition.
According to the company, this integrated chemistry and formulation approach allows frevecitinib to deliver pharmacologically active doses via a single capsule, distinguishing it from other inhaled JAK candidates in development.
Clinical Development Plans
The proceeds from the Series B financing will be used to advance frevecitinib through Phase 2 dose-ranging clinical studies in patients with severe asthma (search). Clarke noted that "this financing marks a significant milestone for Kinaset to execute our vision of advancing frevecitinib through a Phase 2 dose ranging clinical study in patients with severe asthma, and potentially beyond."
Anand Mehra, MD, Managing Partner at Forge Life Sciences, commented on the investment rationale: "With compelling early clinical data, an excellent safety profile and potential to address an important unmet need for asthma patients, Kinaset represents the type of company we seek to invest in."
Leadership and Governance Changes
In conjunction with the financing, three new members joined Kinaset's Board of Directors: Henry Stusnick from RA Capital Management (search), Daniela Begolo from EQT Life Sciences (search), and Peter B. Silverman from Forge Life Science Partners (search), who previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Merus N.V.
Daniela Begolo, Managing Director at EQT Life Sciences (search), highlighted the company's differentiated approach: "Kinaset is taking a highly differentiated approach to asthma by pairing validated JAK biology with an inhaled delivery designed to maximize lung exposure while minimizing systemic risk. Backed by a strong and experienced management team, Kinaset has the potential to address a broad asthma population, including patients not well served by current therapies."