MA-KINASET-THERAPEUTICS
Kinaset Therapeutics, Inc. (“Kinaset” or the “Company”), a newly-founded biopharmaceutical company, today announced a $40 million Series A financing with a blue-chip investor syndicate of 5AM Ventures, Atlas Venture, and Gimv. The Company also announced an exclusive global in-license and services agreement with Vectura Group plc (LSE: VEC) (“Vectura”) to develop and commercialize KN-002 (formerly known as VR588), a novel, inhaled small-molecule pan-JAK inhibitor, for the treatment of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic severe asthma. A Phase 1/1b clinical trial in healthy volunteers and patients is poised to begin in the first half of 2021.
Kinaset is led by an experienced management team and Board of Directors with strong backgrounds in the development of respiratory therapeutics. The company is led by Chief Executive Officer Robert Clarke (formerly Pulmatrix, AIR/Alkermes), Chief Business Officer Roger Heerman (GlaxoSmithKline, Vectura), and Chief Development Officer Frazer Morgan (Vectura, 3M), each of whom has over 20 years of experience in the industry. Thomas B. King (Alexza, Vivus), Chairman of the Board, is joined on the Kinaset Board of Directors by founding investors Jamil Beg (5AM), Kevin Bitterman (Atlas), and Bram Vanparys (Gimv).
Kinaset is responsible for the overall development and commercialization of KN-002, with Vectura providing formulation development expertise and manufacturing of clinical trial supplies. The Company will pay Vectura fees for development services, certain regulatory and commercial milestones, and future royalties on global net sales in return for the license.
“I am excited to be part of Kinaset Therapeutics and their plans to deliver a next-generation therapeutic for the severe asthma population. The highly experienced management team and board coupled with the exclusive global license from Vectura provide a great springboard for the launch of Kinaset,” said Thomas B. King. He added “Vectura’s profile as a world-class CDMO with multiple approved inhaled therapeutics make them a trusted partner as we move KN-002 to our upcoming clinical trial.”
Robert Clarke, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, and a co-founder of Kinaset Therapeutics, commented on the company and the KN-002 program, “Our goal is to build Kinaset into a leading respiratory therapeutics company focused on patients starting with KN-002. Severe asthmatics continue to suffer from the limited availability of safe and effective treatment options. We believe that our inhaled pan-JAK inhibitor, KN-002, has the potential to be a best-in-class therapeutic for this population. In addition, KN-002 could be a less-invasive and more cost-effective alternative to currently approved parenteral biologicals used in the treatment of severe asthma.”
Jamil M. Beg, Partner at 5AM Ventures and Director at Kinaset, commented, “The field of respiratory drug development has made incredible strides over recent years. Biologics have validated immunomodulatory approaches and advanced the standard of care for patients. However, there remains a significant need and burden on patients, especially in the severe asthma population. We see KN-002 as having transformational potential for patients and are excited to support a dedicated team at Kinaset that is building the next leading respiratory disease company.”
Unmet Clinical Needs
Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease affecting over 300 million people worldwide, with approximately 10% of patients having severe asthma1,2 . Subjects with severe uncontrolled asthma suffer from frequent exacerbations, compromised lung function, and a reduced quality of life1-3 . This group is associated with a disproportionate number of asthma-related hospitalizations and accounts for approximately 50% of asthma-related costs.4,5
Multiple inflammatory pathways are implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma6-8 . Eosinophilic asthma, characterized by elevated levels of blood eosinophils and fractional exhaled nitric oxide8 , accounts for about two-thirds of patients with severe asthma8 . Conversely, a large proportion of subjects do not exhibit an eosinophilic profile and suffer from an inadequate response to parenteral biologicals and oral corticosteroids resulting in a loss of asthma control1-3 . Therefore, additional therapeutics to support these non-eosinophilic patients represent a significant need in asthma control.
About Kinaset Therapeutics, Inc.
At Kinaset Therapeutics, we intend to develop novel therapeutics that can positively impact people affected by intractable diseases, including severe asthma. Our novel lead asset and experienced team combine a potentially best in class approach to treating severe asthma with a group of dedicated drug development experts working to bring the therapy forward. More information can be found at www.kinasettherapeutics.com .
About Vectura
Vectura is a provider of innovative inhaled drug delivery services that enable partners to bring their medicines to patients. With differentiated proprietary technology and pharmaceutical development expertise, Vectura is one of the few companies globally with the device, formulation, and development capabilities to deliver a broad range of complex inhaled therapeutics.
For further information, please visit Vectura's website at www.vectura.com .
References:
1
Kupczyk M, Wenzel S. J Intern Med
2012;272:121–32.
2
Wenzel S. Am J Respir Crit Care Med
. 2005; 172; 149–60.
3
Chung KF, Wenzel SE, Brozek JL, et al. Eur Respir J
2014; 43: 343–73.
4
Price D, Fletcher M, van der Molen T. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med
2014; 12; 24: 14009.
5
World Allergy Organization (WAO). (https://www.worldallergy.org/educational_programs/world_allergy_forum/anaheim2005/blaiss.php
[Last accessed: September 2020])
6
Godar M, Blanchetot C, de Haard H, et al
. MAbs
. 2018; 10 (1): 34–45.
7
Peters MC, Mekonnen ZK, Yuan S, et al
. J Allergy Clin Immunol
. 2014; 133: 388–94.
8
Fahy JV. Nat Rev Immunol
. 2015; 15: 57-65.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201130005274/en/
Link:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Andersen Consulting samarbejder med Mercurial Minds om at forbedre mulighederne inden for digital transformation4.7.2025 01:10:00 CEST | Pressemeddelelse
Andersen Consulting udvider sit udbud af teknologidrevne løsninger med tilføjelsen af samarbejdsfirmaet Mercurial Minds (M.M.), et konsulentfirma inden for digital transformation, AI og IT med base i Pakistan. M.M. blev grundlagt i 2013 og tilbyder en række tjenester, der er designet til at hjælpe organisationer med at udvikle sig og skalere, herunder i forbindelse med deres digitale transformationsstrategi, AI-tjenester, it-rådgivning og udvikling af robuste mobil- og webbrugeroplevelser. Firmaet leverer end-to-end-løsninger – udformning af datadrevne køreplaner, udvikling af intelligent automatisering og levering af sikre mobil- og weboplevelser, der kan skaleres – skræddersyet til virksomheder, der ønsker at forbedre sine forbindelsesmulighederne og opnå indsigter i realtid. M.M. betjener en bred vifte af brancher med fokus på finans, telekommunikation og andre dataintensive sektorer. "Dette samarbejde er en katalysator," siger Nabeel Saiyer, administrerende direktør for M.M. "Vores
Global Tourism Surging Ahead of Economic Growth, With Visits to Hit 30 Billion by 20344.7.2025 01:00:00 CEST | Press release
The World Economic Forum report, in collaboration with Kearney and the Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia, predicts a significant uptick in tourist trips across the globeThe tourism sector will contribute $16 trillion to global GDP (more than 11% of the global economy) by 2034, according to World Travel & Tourism Council estimates (WTTC)India and China will be responsible for more than 25% of all outbound travel by 2030 The World Economic Forum has today published a new report forecasting that the travel and tourism industry is projected to serve 30 billion tourist trips by 2034. Travel and Tourism at a Turning Point: Principles for Transformative Growth, produced in collaboration with Kearney and the Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia, reveals a projected $16 trillion contribution to global GDP by the same year—representing more than 11% of the total world economy, according to World Travel & Tourism Council estimates. The report also found that the sector is expanding 1.5 times faster th
The 2025-2026 World Branding Awards Animalis Edition Honouring Leading Pet and Animal Brands Globally3.7.2025 21:00:00 CEST | Press release
The 2025-2026 World Branding Awards Animalis Edition marked its fifth instalment, bringing together leading pet and animal brands from all around the world. These brands were celebrated for their outstanding achievements, earning recognition as National, Regional, and Global Winners. The awards ceremony, held at Vienna's prestigious Hofburg Palace, welcomed winners across diverse categories, including pet food, retail, wellness, pet exhibitions, and aquatic products. Mounia Berrada-Gouzi expertly hosted the evening, which culminated in a grand celebration of brand excellence. “The Animalis Edition of the World Branding Awards recognises brands that have achieved the highest distinction—genuine recognition in the hearts and minds of consumers. Tonight, we honour those whose names resonate globally, whose values inspire loyalty, and whose presence defines excellence in the pet and animal industry,” said Richard Rowles, Chairman of the World Branding Forum. Out of over 950 brands nominate
Venture Global Announces 20-Year Sales and Purchase Agreement with PETRONAS3.7.2025 14:59:00 CEST | Press release
Today, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) announced the execution of a new 20-year Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with PETRONAS LNG Ltd. (PLL), a subsidiary of the Malaysian state-owned oil and gas company, PETRONAS. Under the terms of the SPA, PETRONAS will purchase 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Venture Global’s third facility, CP2 LNG, for 20 years. This builds upon Venture Global’s existing agreement with PETRONAS for 1 MTPA of LNG supply from Plaquemines LNG. PETRONAS, a world-class partner in the LNG industry, joins other CP2 LNG customers in Europe, Asia and the rest of the world in a strategically important project to global energy supply and security. To date, approximately 10.75 MTPA of the 14.4 MTPA nameplate capacity for CP2 Phase One has been sold. About Venture Global Venture Global is a long-term, low-cost provider of U.S. LNG sourced from resource rich North American natural gas basins. Venture Global’s business includes assets ac
Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Novotech as 2025 Global Biotech CRO Company of the Year3.7.2025 14:05:00 CEST | Press release
In recognition of its innovation, client-focused delivery, and global impact, Novotech has been awarded the 2025 Global Biotechnology Contract Research Organization (CRO) Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250703950144/en/ Novotech Wins Global CRO Award Novotech is a globally recognized full-service clinical CRO and scientific advisory firm, trusted by biotech and small- to mid-sized pharmaceutical companies to advance their drug development programs at every phase. With a global footprint spanning Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe, Novotech supports over 5,000 clinical trial sites and a distributed team of experts delivering seamless, end-to-end solutions across geographies. “Novotech is redefining biotech-focused clinical research through AI-driven innovation, global expansion, and a client-embedded partnership model. With a clear vision to be the CRO of choice for
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom