Kymera Therapeutics to Present Pre-clinical Data at the EULAR 2022 Congress Showing STAT3 Degradation Blocked Th17 Development and Prevented Rheumatoid Arthritis

WATERTOWN, Mass., June 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KYMR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing targeted protein degradation to deliver novel small molecule protein degrader medicines, will present new preclinical data demonstrating that STAT3 degradation blocked Th17 development and cytokine release and prevented collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a pre-clinical model of rheumatoid arthritis, today at the EULAR 2022 Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“These data further establish proof-of-concept for Kymera’s potent and selective STAT3 degraders in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders,” said Anthony Slavin, Vice President, Immunology. “Our findings demonstrate that even limited degradation of STAT3 results in significant suppression of proinflammatory cytokines across several immune cell types, including monocytes and T cells. The ability to block Th17 development and cytokine release with STAT3 degradation, and the demonstration of how that translates in vivo in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis, underscores the potential for STAT3 targeting in the treatment of Th17-driven autoimmune diseases.”

Research highlights included:

• Kymera’s investigational STAT3 degrader selectively and potently degraded STAT3 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and whole blood
• STAT3 degradation abrogated STAT3 phosphorylation and MCP-1/CCL2 release by human monocytes more potently than JAK inhibition
• STAT3 degradation inhibited CD4+ Th17 development and related cytokine production in vitro and prevented collagen-induced arthritis in mice

In addition to being linked to numerous cancers, increased STAT3 activation is associated with disease severity and chronic inflammation in conditions such as systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. Kymera has previously shown its STAT3 degraders suppressed tumor growth in multiple preclinical models of lymphoma and solid tumors, and recently reported activity against Th17 inflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a clinically relevant mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

“Kymera’s first-in-class heterobifunctional degraders have emerged as a novel therapeutic modality with great potential to drug historically ‘undruggable’ protein targets like STAT3,” said Nello Mainolfi, PhD, Co-Founder, President and CEO, Kymera Therapeutics. “Our STAT3 degrader KT-333 in development for liquid and solid tumors is currently in Phase 1 and we continue to explore the preclinical activity of our STAT3 degraders in autoimmune indications given the substantial development opportunities for STAT3 targeting in inflammation and fibrosis.”

Presentation details:

• Title: STAT3 degraders inhibit Th17 development and cytokine production resulting in profound inhibition of collagen-induced autoimmune murine arthritis
  • Abstract Number: #OP0080
  • Session Day/Time: Wednesday, June 1; 5:35-5:45 p.m. CEST
  • Location: Bella Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Presenter: Anthony Slavin, Vice President, Immunology, Kymera Therapeutics

About Kymera Therapeutics
Kymera Therapeutics (Nasdaq: KYMR) is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the field of targeted protein degradation, a transformative approach to address disease targets and pathways inaccessible with conventional therapeutics. Kymera’s Pegasus platform is a powerful drug discovery engine, advancing novel small molecule therapies that harness the body’s innate protein recycling machinery to degrade dysregulated, disease-causing proteins. With a focus on undrugged nodes in validated pathways, Kymera is advancing a pipeline of novel therapeutics designed to address the most intractable pathways and provide new treatments for patients. Kymera’s initial programs target IRAK4, IRAKIMiD, and STAT3 within the IL-1R/TLR or JAK/STAT pathways, providing the opportunity to treat patients with a broad range of immune-inflammatory diseases, hematologic malignancies, and solid tumors. For more information, visit www.kymeratx.com.

Founded in 2016, Kymera is headquartered in Watertown, Mass. Kymera has been named a “Fierce 15” biotechnology company by Fierce Biotech and has been recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of Boston’s “Best Places to Work.” For more information about our people, science, and pipeline, please visit www.kymeratx.com or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, implied and express statements regarding its: strategy, business plans and objectives for the STAT3 degrader program; and plans and timelines for the clinical development of Kymera Therapeutics' product candidates, including the therapeutic potential and clinical benefits thereof. The words "may," “might,” "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," “expect,” "estimate," “seek,” "predict," “future,” "project," "potential," "continue," "target" and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, risks associated with: the impact of COVID-19 on countries or regions in which we have operations or do business, as well as on the timing and anticipated results of our current preclinical studies and future clinical trials, strategy and future operations; the delay of any current preclinical studies or future clinical trials or the development of Kymera Therapeutics' drug candidates; the risk that the results of current preclinical studies may not be predictive of future results in connection with future clinical trials; Kymera Therapeutics' ability to successfully demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its drug candidates; the timing and outcome of the Company’s planned interactions with regulatory authorities; and obtaining, maintaining and protecting its intellectual property. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022, filed on May 3, 2022, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Kymera Therapeutics' subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Kymera Therapeutics' views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Kymera Therapeutics explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements.

Investor Contact:
Bruce Jacobs
Chief Financial Officer
investors@kymeratx.com
857-285-5300

Chris Brinzey
Managing Director, Westwicke
chris.brinzey@westwicke.com
339-970-2843

Media Contact:
Todd Cooper
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
media@kymeratx.com
857-285-5300