Enodia Therapeutics Strengthens Sec61 Portfolio Through Acquisition of Preclinical Assets from Kezar Life Sciences

Key Terms

sec61 medical

Sec61 is a protein channel in the membrane of the cell’s endoplasmic reticulum that helps newly made proteins enter or pass through the cell’s internal shipping system. Investors should care because Sec61 function or dysfunction is a common drug target and biomarker in biotech: medicines that block or correct this channel can affect how disease-related proteins are made or secreted, which can drive clinical results, regulatory outcomes, and company value.

targeted protein degradation medical

Targeted protein degradation is a drug approach that uses small molecules to mark harmful or malfunctioning proteins inside cells so the cell’s own disposal system breaks them down, rather than simply blocking their activity. For investors, it matters because this method can potentially tackle diseases that traditional drugs cannot reach, offering a new class of therapies with broad commercial and patent potential—like switching from silencing a problem to removing it entirely.

sec61 translocon medical

A Sec61 translocon is a protein channel in a cell that acts like a factory door, guiding newly made proteins into or across the cell’s internal membranes so they reach the right location or get secreted outside the cell. Investors should care because drugs or diagnostics that affect this gateway can change how proteins — including therapeutic targets or viral components — are processed, which can alter efficacy, safety, and commercial prospects in biotech and pharmaceutical development.

proteomics medical

Proteomics is the large-scale study of all the proteins produced by a cell, tissue or organism, like taking a full inventory and watching how the workforce and machines inside a factory behave. For investors, proteomics matters because it helps identify drug targets, disease indicators and responses to treatments—information that can speed development, reduce risk, guide partnerships and reveal new commercial opportunities in biotech and diagnostics.

cryo-em medical

Cryo-EM is a laboratory imaging technique that rapidly freezes biological molecules and uses an electron microscope to produce very detailed, three-dimensional pictures of their shapes, like taking high-resolution 3D photographs of microscopic machines. For investors, cryo-EM matters because it speeds and clarifies drug and vaccine discovery by showing exactly how potential medicines interact with targets, reducing scientific uncertainty, guiding development decisions, and potentially increasing the value of research programs and intellectual property.

Transaction deepens insights into Sec61 selectivity for targeted protein degradation, supporting accelerated development of Enodia’s novel small-molecule inhibitors

PARIS & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Enodia Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing novel small-molecule therapies for targeted protein degradation at the point of synthesis, and Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel small molecule therapeutics to treat unmet needs in immune-mediated diseases, today announced that Enodia has acquired Kezar’s assets from its Sec61-based discovery and development program. The acquisition enables Enodia to advance its understanding of Sec61 selectivity mechanisms, expanding biological and translational insights for faster progression toward key clinical milestones.

Under the terms of the purchase agreement between Enodia and Kezar, Kezar will receive an initial upfront payment totaling $1 million, and will receive future payments upon achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercialization milestones, for a potential total of up to $127 million. Enodia has also agreed to pay tiered royalties on net sales.

“Kezar has made significant early advances in the Sec61 field with the discovery of small molecule inhibitors,” said Yves Ribeill, Chief Executive Officer of Enodia Therapeutics. “By integrating Kezar’s extensive preclinical datasets into our selective targeted protein degradation platform, this acquisition enhances our ability to make accelerated, yet informed development decisions across our candidate programs.”

Enodia’s proprietary platform enables selective Sec61 Translocon modulation, a novel approach to inhibit disease-relevant proteins at the point of their synthesis before pathological effects occur, while preserving essential physiological functions. Enodia has built a broad and well-characterized chemical space spanning multiple Sec61 inhibitor families, supported by extensive biological datasets, including proteomics, Cryo-EM and tailored cell line libraries to enable rational small-molecule drug design powered by machine learning. Insights from Kezar’s Sec61-based programs will further strengthen Enodia’s core focus on Sec61-driven selectivity for targeting protein degradation.

“Kezar has spent nearly ten years pioneering research and drug discovery efforts around the Sec61 translocon and continues to have strong conviction in this novel target,” said Chris Kirk, PhD, CEO of Kezar Life Sciences. “The team at Enodia is poised to make great progress in this space, and we are excited to see our efforts being carried on and expanded upon.”

About Enodia Therapeutics

Enodia Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing best-in-class small-molecule therapies that enable the degradation of disease-driving proteins at the point of synthesis, before they have a damaging effect. Rooted in pioneering research from the Institut Pasteur and built by Argobio, Enodia, through its Sec61 platform, is advancing a pipeline initially focused on inflammation, immunology and oncology, with additional opportunities in virology. For additional information please visit: enodiatx.com/

About Kezar Life Sciences

Kezar Life Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel small molecule therapeutics to treat unmet needs in immune-mediated diseases. Zetomipzomib, a selective immunoproteasome inhibitor, is currently being evaluated for autoimmune hepatitis. This product candidate also has the potential to address multiple chronic immune-mediated diseases. For more information, visit www.kezarlifesciences.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “can,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “potential,” “anticipate” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Kezar’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties that could cause Kezar’s future results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the potential payment and receipt of milestone payments and royalties, the anticipated therapeutic benefit and ability of Sec61-based programs to address unmet medical need, and the future development of Sec61-based programs. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during clinical studies, changes in the regulatory environment, the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process, and unexpected litigation or other disputes. Other factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in Kezar’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” contained therein. Except as required by law, Kezar assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260312627573/en/

Enodia Therapeutics

Morgane Schwenzer - morgane.schwenzer@enodiatx.com



Media Relations - Linnden Communications

Michelle Linn – michelle@linndencom.com



Kezar Life Sciences

Investor and Media Contact - IR@kezarbio.com

Source: Enodia Therapeutics and Kezar Life Sciences, Inc.