Nkarta, Inc. Stock Price, News & Analysis

Nkarta Inc. (Nasdaq: NKTX) reported its Q2 2024 financial results and corporate highlights. Key points include:

1. Enrollment in Ntrust-2, a second clinical trial of NKX019 for autoimmune diseases, is expected to start by year-end 2024.

2. Preliminary clinical data from Ntrust-1 and Ntrust-2 trials planned for 2025.

3. Cash balance of $426.7 million as of June 30, 2024, expected to fund operations into late 2027.

4. Q2 2024 net loss of $25.0 million, or $0.34 per share.

5. R&D expenses were $23.1 million, while G&A expenses were $7.6 million for Q2 2024.

6. Nkarta presented follow-up data from its Phase 1 NKX019 trial in NHL, showing promising results in retreated patients.

7. Leadership updates include new President and Chief Medical Officer appointments.

Nkarta, Inc. (Nasdaq: NKTX) has announced the initiation of an investigator-sponsored trial (IST) of NKX019, their allogeneic, CD19-directed CAR NK-cell therapy, for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The trial, led by Dr. Anca D. Askanase at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will enroll up to 6 SLE patients, regardless of renal involvement. This IST complements Nkarta's ongoing Phase 1 Ntrust-1 trial of NKX019 in lupus nephritis patients.

The single-center, open-label Phase 1 IST will evaluate safety, clinical outcomes, and include translational and biomarker studies. Patients will receive NKX019 on Days 0, 7, and 14 following lymphodepletion with cyclophosphamide. Nkarta believes NKX019's reduced-toxicity regimen could potentially benefit a broader patient population, including those with less advanced disease.

Nkarta, Inc. (Nasdaq: NKTX), a biopharmaceutical company developing engineered natural killer (NK) cell therapies, has announced significant leadership updates. Nadir Mahmood, Ph.D., has been appointed as President, sharing executive responsibilities with CEO Paul J. Hastings. Additionally, David R. Shook, M.D., has been promoted to Chief Medical Officer, Head of Research & Development.

These changes aim to accelerate the development and commercialization of NK cell therapies. Nkarta has recently initiated Ntrust-1, a clinical trial of NKX019 in lupus nephritis, and received FDA clearance for a second IND application for NKX019 in autoimmune diseases. The company expects to announce preliminary data from the Ntrust-1 and Ntrust-2 clinical trials in 2025.

Nkarta has initiated the Ntrust-1 clinical trial for NKX019 in lupus nephritis with the first patient now in screening.

The company has received FDA clearance for a second IND application for NKX019, enabling the launch of Ntrust-2 to treat systemic sclerosis, myositis, and vasculitis.

Both trials aim to assess the safety and efficacy of NKX019, an allogeneic CAR NK-cell therapy designed to target CD19-positive cells in B-cell mediated diseases.

Data from these trials are expected by 2025.

NKX019 leverages fludarabine-free lymphodepletion and offers on-demand dosing capabilities.

The Ntrust-1 trial involves administering NKX019 on Days 0, 7, and 14, while Ntrust-2 will adopt a different dosing schedule.

Each trial will initially enroll up to 12 patients.

Nkarta, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm, has announced the addition of Dr. George Vratsanos to its board of directors. Dr. Vratsanos is a seasoned translational immunology expert, currently serving as Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D at Jnana Therapeutics. His extensive R&D experience includes leadership roles at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Roche, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Vratsanos holds degrees from NYU School of Medicine, Yale University, Vanderbilt University, and Columbia University.

Nkarta is focused on developing NK cell therapies to treat autoimmune diseases, including lupus. Their candidate, NKX019, aims to treat lupus nephritis. Dr. Vratsanos expressed enthusiasm for joining Nkarta, highlighting the potential of NK cell therapy to treat autoimmune diseases with fewer safety concerns than other therapies.

Nkarta, Inc. (Nasdaq: NKTX) reported strong financial results for Q1 2024 with a cash balance of $450.0 million as of March 31, 2024. The company is developing NKX019, an off-the-shelf cell therapy candidate for autoimmune diseases like lupus nephritis and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. NKX019 has shown promising results in clinical trials, with plans for expansion into other autoimmune diseases. Nkarta completed a recent $240.1 million offering, strengthening its balance sheet. Financial guidance indicates cash reserves to fund operations into late 2027.