Nurix advances IRAK4 degrader into Phase 1 trials with FDA nod

Published 17/04/2025, 12:06
Nurix advances IRAK4 degrader into Phase 1 trials with FDA nod

SAN FRANCISCO - Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:NRIX), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in protein degradation-based treatments with a market capitalization of $747 million, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials for its IRAK4 degrader, GS-6791/NX-0479. The trial is set to commence in the second quarter of 2025 and will evaluate the drug candidate’s safety profile in healthy volunteers. The company’s stock has shown recent momentum, gaining over 11% in the past week, according to InvestingPro data.

The investigational new drug (IND) clearance marks a significant milestone in Nurix’s partnership with Gilead Sciences, which began in June 2019. With this clearance, Nurix will receive a $5 million payment, increasing the total payments under the collaboration to $135 million. The company remains eligible for an additional $420 million in potential future milestones, as well as royalties, associated with the development of the IRAK4 degrader program. InvestingPro data shows the company maintains a strong financial position with a healthy current ratio of 6.26, indicating robust liquidity to fund its development programs.

GS-6791/NX-0479 is designed to target IRAK4, a key regulator of inflammatory processes, and has shown promise in preclinical studies. The drug candidate has demonstrated rapid and potent degradation of IRAK4 in various human cell types and sustained effects in non-human primates. Moreover, GS-6791/NX-0479 has shown effectiveness in rodent models of arthritis, positioning it as a potential therapy for chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and atopic dermatitis.

Dr. Gwenn M. Hansen, Chief Scientific Officer of Nurix, highlighted the drug’s potential as a "best-in-class therapeutic" due to its ability to completely degrade IRAK4 and suppress cytokine production in disease-relevant tissues. President and CEO Dr. Arthur T. Sands emphasized the success of their collaboration with Gilead and Nurix’s progress in developing degrader-based medicines for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Nurix’s pipeline, built upon its expertise in targeted protein degradation, includes various clinical and preclinical stage drug candidates targeting conditions such as cancer and inflammatory diseases. The company retains the option to co-develop and co-detail up to two programs in the United States post-Phase 1 trials, sharing profits and losses equally with Gilead.

This advancement into clinical trials is based on the statement released by Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. and reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to bring innovative treatments to patients with challenging diseases. Eight analysts have recently revised their earnings expectations upward for the upcoming period, suggesting growing confidence in the company’s prospects. For deeper insights into Nurix’s financial health, growth potential, and comprehensive analysis, investors can access the detailed Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, which provides expert analysis of key metrics and growth drivers.

In other recent news, Nurix Therapeutics has reported significant developments in its financial and strategic activities. The company released its first-quarter financial results for 2025, which have been closely followed by analysts. UBS, Stifel, and Stephens have all adjusted their price targets for Nurix, with UBS and Stephens reducing their targets to $30 while maintaining positive ratings, and Stifel setting its target at $35 with a continued Buy rating. BTIG has maintained a Neutral rating with a $35 price target.

Nurix is advancing its lead drug candidate, bexobrutideg, towards pivotal trials for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and has received Orphan Drug Designation for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. The company is planning to initiate registrational trials for bexobrutideg within the year and expects to release additional data on its drug candidates NX-2127 and NX-1607 in 2025. Analysts from Stifel and Stephens have expressed optimism about Nurix’s potential, citing its promising pipeline and strategic developments.

Furthermore, Nurix is progressing in its collaboration with Sanofi, achieving milestones related to a transcription factor program targeting autoimmune diseases. The company is also preparing to file new Investigational New Drug applications, which include a focus on non-malignant autoimmune cytopenias. These activities underscore the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its therapeutic portfolio and enhance its market position.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.