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 (NASDAQ: NKTR) has appointed Brian Kotzin, MD, as Interim Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development, effective immediately. Dr. Kotzin, previously Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Head of Immunology since 2017, will replace Wei Lin, who is leaving for another opportunity. Dr. Kotzin brings over 30 years of experience in immunology, having led significant development programs including NKTR-358. His leadership is expected to strengthen Nektar's focus on its immune-oncology and immunology pipeline.
Nektar Therapeutics has announced a deal to sell its royalties from ADYNOVATE and MOVANTIK to Healthcare Royalty Management for $150 million, expected by December 31, 2020. These funds will support clinical trials for Nektar's immune-oncology programs. The agreement allows HCR to receive royalties up to $210 million by 2025, reverting to Nektar after. By year-end 2020, Nektar anticipates holding about $1.2 billion in cash and investments. This non-dilutive financing aims to strengthen Nektar's financial position as it advances its IL-2 and IL-15 pipeline programs.
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) announced the dosing of the first patient in a Phase 1/2 trial of NKTR-255, aimed at treating relapsed/refractory head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and colorectal cancer. The trial involves up to 80 patients across 15 sites in the U.S. and EU, assessing NKTR-255 alongside cetuximab. NKTR-255 activates the IL-15 pathway, promoting NK and CD8+ T cell expansion without suppressive regulatory T cells. Initial data showed NKTR-255 was well tolerated and biologically active, enhancing lymphocyte expansion.
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) presented nonclinical data for its IL-15 pathway agonist, NKTR-255, at the 62nd ASH Annual Meeting. The research, in collaboration with Dana-Farber Cancer Center, highlights NKTR-255's potential to enhance natural killer (NK) cell and memory CD8 T cell functions. Currently in Phase 1b/2 studies, NKTR-255 aims to combine with agents like rituximab for treating multiple myeloma (MM) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), showing promising anti-tumor activity.
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) announced notable data presentations regarding its immuno-oncology pipeline at the 2020 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting. Key developments include the PIVOT-02 study data for BEMPEG plus nivolumab, showing a 53% overall response rate and a 30.9-month median progression-free survival in Stage IV melanoma patients. NKTR also reported promising results for NKTR-262 and NKTR-255, with biological activity demonstrated in patients with hematologic malignancies. The findings underscore the potential of Nektar's therapies to effectively enhance anti-cancer immunity.
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) announced a webcast conference call on November 11, 2020, at 4:15 p.m. EST featuring oncology experts and company management. The event coincides with the 2020 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting. Key topics include clinical data from three studies, notably the PIVOT-02 study involving bempegaldesleukin (NKTR-214) and nivolumab. Notable presenters include Drs. Adi Diab, Brendan Curti, and Nina Shah. Interested parties can access the call via dial-in or live audio webcast, with a replay available for two weeks.
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) reported Q3 2020 financial results showing revenue growth to $30.0 million from $29.2 million in Q3 2019, and a year-to-date revenue of $129.5 million, up from $80.8 million in the same period last year, driven by milestone payments from Bristol-Myers Squibb for new trials. Operating costs rose to $133.1 million, resulting in a net loss of $108.6 million or $0.61 per share. The company is advancing its immuno-oncology pipeline despite challenges, with promising enrollment in key studies.
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) presented additional clinical data from the Phase 1b study of NKTR-358, a T regulatory cell stimulator, at the ACR 2020 conference. The data showed NKTR-358 was safe and well-tolerated in patients with mild-to-moderate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), demonstrating a dose-dependent expansion of regulatory T cells and a reduction in clinical scores after three treatment cycles. The company is advancing to a Phase 2 trial in lupus patients, supported by encouraging biomarker changes, and is pursuing other studies in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) will host a webcast conference call on November 4, 2020, at 4:15 p.m. EST, featuring insights on NKTR-358, their investigational therapy for autoimmune diseases, during the ACR 2020 event. Dr. David Klatzmann from Sorbonne University will discuss findings from their Phase 1b study. Additional details include a virtual poster presentation on November 9, 2020, showcasing data on regulatory T cells and NKTR-358's role in lupus treatment. A Phase 2 study for NKTR-358 is currently in progress.
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) will report its Q3 2020 financial results on November 5, 2020, after U.S. markets close. CEO Howard Robin will lead a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call details include the dial-in number: (877) 881-2183 for U.S. participants and (970) 315-0453 for international callers, with a conference ID of 5192707. The call will be accessible via a live webcast and available for replay until December 1, 2020. For more information, visit their website.