Jasper Therapeutics Merges with Kira Pharmaceuticals, Secures $132 Million to Advance Complement and Immunology Pipeline
核心洞察
Jasper Therapeutics completed an all-stock acquisition of Kira Pharmaceuticals (搜索), creating a combined company focused on immunologically-driven disorders.
A concurrent $132 million private placement, co-led by Affinity Asset Advisors and Ikarian Capital, extends the cash runway through the second half of 2028.
The consolidated pipeline features KP-104 for PNH and renal disorders, briquilimab for SCID, and the preclinical KP-701 (搜索) for autoantibody-mediated diseases.
Jasper Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: JSPR) announced today the completion of its acquisition of Kira Pharmaceuticals (搜索) in an all-stock transaction, simultaneously securing approximately $132 million in a private placement to fund the combined company's immunology-focused pipeline through the second half of 2028. The combined entity will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "JSPR."
"We are pleased to announce this transaction with Kira following a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives. Kira has built a truly differentiated complement portfolio that includes dual MOA beyond single-pathway agents and long-acting complement inhibitors, reflecting the quality of their science and the deep expertise of their team," said Jeet Mahal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jasper.
Consolidated Pipeline Targets High-Value Immunology Indications
The combined company plans to advance three key assets across immunologically-driven disorders. KP-104 (vensobafusp alfa), a Phase 2/3-ready bifunctional biologic, targets both the alternative and terminal pathways within the complement cascade. The company expects to report interim data from Stage 1 of an ongoing Phase 2 basket trial in rare renal indications in the fourth quarter of 2026, with updated data anticipated in the second quarter of 2027. Based on previously reported positive data in treatment-naïve paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (搜索) (PNH), the combined company is planning an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and intends to announce next steps in the first half of 2027.
Briquilimab, a late-stage anti-KIT (搜索) antibody, is advancing toward a pre-Biologics License Application (BLA) meeting with the FDA following positive long-term data in Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (搜索) (SCID). The company expects to announce next steps in the first quarter of 2027 and will provide an update on clinical development in mast-cell mediated diseases in the second half of this year.
KP-701 (搜索), a preclinical dual-acting anti-CD79BxCD32B monoclonal antibody for autoantibody-mediated disorders, is on track for a clinical trial application or investigational new drug filing in the first quarter of 2027, with first-in-human data expected in the third quarter of 2027.
Out-Licensing and Financing Structure
In a separate transaction, Kira out-licensed KP-301, a long-acting anti-C5a (搜索) monoclonal antibody, and KP-402 (搜索), a small molecule C5a receptor antagonist, to Mirador Therapeutics (搜索). The deal provides a $12 million upfront payment plus potential development and sales milestone payments.
The private placement, co-led by Affinity Asset Advisors, LLC and Ikarian Capital LLC, drew participation from Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Sirenia Capital Management LP, Brahma Capital, Balyasny Asset Management, SilverArc Capital, Squadron Capital Management, Nazare Partners LP, and Mirador Therapeutics (搜索), among other leading life sciences investors.
Patrick Crutcher, MSc, formerly Chairman of the Board of Kira, stated: "With this strengthened foundation, and the synergies between our team and the Jasper team, we believe the Combined Company is exceptionally well-positioned to progress our portfolio of biologic agents targeting high-value immunology targets."
Management and Governance
Jeet Mahal will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the combined company, with Herb Cross as Chief Financial Officer, Greg Keenan, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer, Matthew E. Ros as Chief Operating Officer, and Wenru Song, M.D., Ph.D. as Executive Vice President and Head of R&D. The Board of Directors will include Patrick Crutcher, Jeet Mahal, Thomas Wiggans, Judith Shizuru, M.D., Ph.D., Svetlana Lucas, Ph.D., and Kurt von Emster.
Pro-forma cash for the combined company, including proceeds from the private placement and out-licensing transaction but excluding any milestone payments, is expected to fund operations through multiple anticipated clinical milestones through the second half of 2028.