Nektar Therapeutics reports developments as a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunology therapies for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Company news centers on rezpegaldesleukin, also known as REZPEG or NKTR-358, a regulatory T cell stimulator evaluated across disease areas including atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, and Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Recurring updates also cover Nektar's preclinical pipeline, including TNFR2 antibody and bispecific programs NKTR-0165 and NKTR-0166, and the modified hematopoietic colony stimulating factor protein NKTR-422. Financial results, public equity offerings, shelf-registration activity, employee inducement grants, and other capital and governance actions are regular news themes for NKTR.
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) presented long-term Phase 2b rezpegaldesleukin results in alopecia areata and atopic dermatitis at EADV Congress 2026.
In alopecia areata, responses indicating at least 80% scalp hair coverage persisted in 75% (6/8) of responders four months after treatment and 63% (5/8) after six months. Responses with SALT scores of 10 or less increased from 7% at Week 52 to 19% six months off treatment. In atopic dermatitis, complete skin clearance among all re-randomized patients receiving 24 µg/kg rose from 4% to 22% with monthly dosing and from 9% to 18% with quarterly dosing between Weeks 16 and 52.
Nektar initiated its third Phase 3 atopic dermatitis study in patients with prior systemic biologic and/or JAK inhibitor treatment. It plans to begin the 850-patient ZENITH AA alopecia areata study in early 2027, targeting SALT scores of 20 or less at Week 52.
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) presented Phase 2b rezpegaldesleukin results showing sustained responses in alopecia areata and atopic dermatitis at EADV Congress 2026.
After 52 weeks of alopecia treatment, 75% (6/8) maintained a SALT score ≤20, meaning at least 80% scalp hair coverage, four months off treatment; 63% (5/8) maintained it at six months. SALT ≤10 responses increased from 7% at treatment end to 19% six months later. In atopic dermatitis, complete skin clearance among all re-randomized patients increased from 4% to 22% with monthly maintenance dosing and from 9% to 18% with quarterly dosing between Weeks 16 and 52.
A third Phase 3 atopic dermatitis study has started in treatment-experienced patients. Nektar plans to start the 850-patient ZENITH AA alopecia study in early 2027, targeting SALT ≤20 at Week 52. The company described safety through 52 weeks in both Phase 2b studies as consistent with prior findings.
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) presented rezpegaldesleukin biomarker results showing early molecular changes associated with later clinical improvement in patients with atopic dermatitis. The Phase 2b REZOLVE-AD sub-study included 100 patients: 59 receiving 24 µg/kg every two weeks, the planned Phase 3 dose, and 41 receiving placebo.
Changes in blood and skin across multiple immune pathways appeared as early as Week 2. Early biomarker changes correlated significantly with Week 16 clinical improvement in treated patients, but not placebo patients (p<0.001). Mean reduction from baseline in the Eczema Area and Severity Index, a measure of disease severity, was 64% at Week 16 in the molecular cohort, versus 61% in the overall 24 µg/kg every-two-weeks cohort.
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) will give three oral presentations on rezpegaldesleukin Phase 2b studies at EADV Congress 2026.
The presentations will cover new six-month off-treatment follow-up data from the alopecia areata REZOLVE-AA study, previously reported maintenance data from the atopic dermatitis REZOLVE-AD study, and new biomarker findings from a REZOLVE-AD sub-study. The congress runs September 30 to October 3 in Vienna. Nektar will host an investor call on October 1 to discuss the alopecia areata follow-up.
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) granted stock options and restricted stock units to eleven newly hired employees on September 18, 2026.
The awards comprise options to purchase 58,600 common shares and 2,450 restricted stock units under the company's 2025 Inducement Plan. The options have a $67.10 per-share exercise price, equal to the closing share price on the grant date, and an eight-year term. Both award types vest over four years, subject to continued employment. The plan is used for employment inducement awards under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) reported that on August 20, 2026 its Organization and Compensation Committee granted non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 25,200 shares of common stock and 5,000 RSUs to eleven new employees under its 2025 Inducement Plan, adopted November 6, 2025. The options have an exercise price of $74.53, equal to the August 20 closing price, an eight-year term, and vest over four years, with 25% after one year and the remainder monthly over three years. The RSUs also vest over four years, with 25% after one year and the balance quarterly over the next three years, all subject to continued employment. Nektar describes itself as a clinical-stage biotech focused on autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases, led by product candidate rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG, NKTR-358).
Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) reported that 16-week induction data from the Phase 2b REZOLVE-AD trial of rezpegaldesleukin in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis were published in The Lancet. The global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 393 biologic- and JAK inhibitor-naive adults across 107 sites in 10 countries.
All three dosing regimens met the primary endpoint, with mean EASI reductions at Week 16 of 61%, 58% and 53% versus 31% for placebo, and statistically significant key secondary endpoint improvements, including EASI-75, EASI-90, vIGA-AD 0/1, Itch NRS, and BSA for the 24 μg/kg q2w arm. Patient-reported outcomes such as DLQI, ADCT, pain, and sleep also improved versus placebo. Safety over 16 weeks showed 2% serious adverse events, no deaths, and no increased infection or conjunctivitis risk. Biomarker changes supported T-reg–mediated immunomodulation. These results underpin Nektar’s ongoing Phase 3 ZENITH AD program and broader development of rezpegaldesleukin, which has FDA Fast Track designations in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and severe alopecia areata.
Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) reported second quarter 2026 revenue of $10.1 million, all from non-cash royalty revenue related to sales of future royalties, versus $11.2 million a year earlier. Net loss was $40.6 million (loss of $1.23 per share) compared with a $41.6 million loss ($2.95 per share) in Q2 2025.
Cash and investments in marketable securities rose to $1,023.4 million at June 30, 2026 from $245.8 million at December 31, 2025, helped by an April 2026 equity offering generating $373.8 million in gross proceeds. The company projects a cash runway into the third quarter of 2028.
R&D expense increased to $39.1 million in Q2, driven by initiation of Phase 3 ZENITH AD trials of rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis and related manufacturing. G&A expense decreased to $12.8 million, mainly from lower legal costs. Nektar also reported positive 52-week topline Phase 2b REZOLVE-AA data in severe alopecia areata.
Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) will announce financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 on Thursday, August 13, 2026, after the close of U.S. financial markets. CEO Howard Robin will host a results conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT, accessible via live audio webcast and phone for pre-registered participants.
The webcast will be available on Nektar’s website and offered as a replay through September 13, 2026. Nektar is a clinical-stage biotech focused on autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases, led by its T-reg–stimulating candidate rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG, NKTR-358) and additional preclinical programs.
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) reported that on July 20, 2026, its Organization and Compensation Committee granted non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 36,000 shares of common stock to 23 newly hired employees under its 2025 Inducement Plan, adopted on November 6, 2025 and used solely for Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) inducement awards.
The options have an exercise price of $64.84, matching the July 20, 2026 closing price, an eight-year term, and vest over four years, subject to continued employment. Nektar is a clinical-stage biotechnology company whose lead candidate, rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG, NKTR-358), is in a registrational program for atopic dermatitis and other immune-related indications.