Kymera Therapeutics (NSDQ:KYMR), as a growing number of biotech companies, is intending to expand the druggable universe.
To that end, the company announced positive data related to targeted protein degradation (TPD). This modality enables oral small-molecule drugs to coax the body into clearing disease-causing proteins.
Kymera’s lead drug candidate, KT-474, targets a key protein known as IRAK4 involved in IL-1R/toll-like receptor–driven diseases such as hidradenitis suppurativa, atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Recent Phase 1 trial data in healthy volunteers found that the drug promoted levels of IRAK4 protein degradation averaging at least 95%. Furthermore, a single dose led to degradation over six days.
The company also concluded that the drug impacted key biological pathways previously considered undruggable.
Kymera concluded that the drug appears to have the potential for a broad anti-inflammatory effect based on its reduction of several proinflammatory cytokines.
The drug candidate was also well tolerated at a range of dose levels.
“We are pleased to have completed dose escalation in the SAD portion of our Phase 1 trial and are encouraged by our ability to achieve plasma exposures following single doses of KT-474 that maximize IRAK4 degradation and are well-tolerated, with up to 96% mean reduction of IRAK4 in PBMC,” said Dr. Jared Gollob, chief medical officer at Kymera, in a statement. “Importantly, we have now shown that IRAK4 knockdown of ≥ 85% in vivo in circulating PBMC leads to profound TLR/IL-1R pathway inhibition, as demonstrated by up to 97% suppression of ex vivo response of whole blood to TLR agonists.”