SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Kineta, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development of immune modulating drugs for critical diseases, announced today that the company has opened a Phase 1B proof-of-concept clinical trial for psoriasis using its drug candidate, ShK-186. ShK-186 is a novel, immune-sparing therapeutic in development for a variety of autoimmune diseases. Kineta is planning on initiating an additional clinical trial in patients with psoriatic arthritis in the coming months.
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic diseases of the immune system. Currently there are no cures. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, nearly 7.5 million Americans are afflicted with these conditions.
The psoriasis trial is designed to evaluate the effects of biweekly injections of ShK-186 for four weeks in patients with active plaque psoriasis. Patients will be monitored for safety endpoints, assessment of redness, scaling, and lesion thickness, as well as inflammatory biomarker activity in blood and skin biopsy tissue.
“Initiating this trial is another milestone in the clinical development of this novel compound,” said Charles Magness, Kineta’s CEO and President. “Patients with autoimmune diseases desperately need new treatments that effectively address the disease without harmful side effects.”
About ShK-186
Shk-186 has a novel mechanism of action (MOA). Preclinical data have shown that ShK-186 is a selective and potent blocker of the voltage-gated Kv1.3 potassium channel, which is a key channel in the activation of effector-memory T cells. Effector memory T cells have been shown to be implicated in many autoimmune diseases. ShK-186 was the first Kv1.3 specific inhibitor advanced into human clinical trials. Shk-186 is also being studied as a potential therapy in other autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, lupus, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases and eye diseases. The lupus research is being conducted in conjunction with the Alliance for Children’s Therapeutics, a drug development and funding collaboration between Kineta and Seattle Children’s Research Institute.
Kineta, Inc. is a Seattle-based privately held biotechnology company specializing in clinical advancement of novel drug candidates derived from leading edge scientific research. Our world class scientists are pioneers in developing life-changing classes of new drugs designed to be more effective and safer than current medicines. Kineta seeks to improve the lives of millions of people suffering from autoimmune and viral diseases and from severe pain. Our progressive business model focuses on targeting unmet medical needs and rapid achievement of important clinical milestones. For more information on Kineta, Inc. visit our website, www.Kinetabio.com
NOTICE: This document contains certain forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding Kineta’s plans for clinical studies and regulatory filings. You are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties inherent in Kineta’s business which could significantly affect expected results, including without limitation progress of drug development, ability to raise capital to fund drug development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Kineta undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the issuance of this press release.
Contact:
Kineta, Inc.
Dan Eramian, 206-518-5566
deramian@kineta.us
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