Kynos Therapeutics announces the strengthening of its Board with the appointment of experienced biotech entrepreneur Jean Combalbert as independent Chair

Edinburgh UK, 19 January 2023 - Kynos Therapeutics Ltd, an immune-metabolic company with world-leading expertise in the kynurenine pathway and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) biology, today announced the appointment of Dr Jean Combalbert as Chair of its Board of Directors.

Jean Combalbert PharmD, PhD has an impressive track record with over 20 years’ experience building research and development-stage biotech companies and achieving high-value exits. Jean is currently a non-executive director at Epics Therapeutics SA, having previously served as its founding CEO from 2017. Jean was Chair of the Board at Syndesi Therapeutics SA from 2018 until its sale to AbbVie in 2022. Previously, he was CEO of Ogeda SA from 2006 until its sale to Astellas Pharma Inc. in 2017. Earlier in his career, Dr Combalbert held senior positions with Sanofi and Galderma in France and the United States.

Commenting on his appointment, Jean Combalbert said “Kynos is uniquely positioned as a leader in the development of small molecule KMO inhibitors which have broad therapeutic potential. I’m excited to join the company and I look forward to working with the management team and the Board as Kynos moves into clinical development.

Kynos Therapeutics CEO Jonathan Savidge said “I am delighted Jean has been appointed as Chair of the Board. Together with the rest of the Kynos management team and Board I would like to welcome him to the company. Kynos will benefit hugely from Jean’s expertise and leadership in drug development, financing and corporate development.”

About Kynos Therapeutics

Kynos Therapeutics is developing an innovative pipeline of first-in-class kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) inhibitors. KMO plays a major role in the regulation of inflammation, acting at the interface between inflammation, immunity and metabolism, and inhibition of KMO has therapeutic potential in a range of indications. Spun out from the University of Edinburgh, Kynos leverages a decade of drug discovery research on KMO inhibitors originally co-developed through a collaboration between GSK and the University of Edinburgh and now exclusively licensed to Kynos. Based in Edinburgh, UK, the company is backed by founding investor Epidarex Capital as well as IP Group plc and Scottish Enterprise with additional non-dilutive funding from Innovate UK.

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