Kynos Therapeutics announces a first-in-human phase I study of its novel small molecule KMO inhibitor, KNS366, is underway
Edinburgh UK, 18 May 2023 | Download the PDF
Kynos Therapeutics Ltd, a biotechnology company developing a portfolio of first in class kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) inhibitors, today announces that dosing is underway in a first in human phase I trial of its lead drug candidate, KNS366.
The first-in-human study of KNS366 is to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses in healthy adult participants. The study is being conducted at a single site in the UK. Full results from the study are expected in early 2024.
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.
Kynos Therapeutics founder and CSO Damian Mole said, “KMO is a target of increasing interest for the development of new medicines and it is fantastic to see our highly selective KMO inhibitor, KNS366, moving into clinical development. The data generated from the advanced analysis of biomarkers will allow measurement of KMO inhibition and the impact that has on inflammatory mechanisms important in human disease. This information will be invaluable for designing the next stage of clinical trials in patients.”
Kynos Therapeutics CEO Jonathan Savidge said, “Progressing our lead KMO inhibitor rapidly into Phase I is a major milestone for Kynos. We are not aware of any other KMO inhibitors in clinical development and look forward to generating data in humans with this first-in-class mechanism. We appreciate the support of Innovate UK for its contribution to the financing of this trial.”
About Kynos Therapeutics – www.kynostx.com
Kynos Therapeutics is developing an innovative portfolio of first-in-class medicines where there is an unmet medical need for new therapies. It is a spin-out from the University of Edinburgh commercialising a decade of drug discovery research on kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), a pivotal enzyme in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism. Its innovative pipeline of first-in-class KMO inhibitors across key indications in inflammation, immunity and metabolism, was originally co-developed through a collaboration between GSK and the University of Edinburgh and is now exclusively licensed to Kynos.
Based in Edinburgh, UK, the company is financed by equity investment from Epidarex Capital, IP Group plc and Scottish Enterprise as well as a grant from Innovate UK.
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