Sanofi to advance Kymera’s oral IRAK4 degrader KT-485 to clinical testing

Published 25/06/2025, 12:18
Sanofi to advance Kymera’s oral IRAK4 degrader KT-485 to clinical testing

WATERTOWN, Mass. - Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:KYMR) announced Wednesday that Sanofi has selected KT-485/SAR447971, an oral IRAK4 degrader, to advance into clinical studies for immuno-inflammatory diseases. The announcement comes as Kymera’s stock has shown remarkable strength, delivering over 50% returns in the past year according to InvestingPro data, with the company maintaining a strong balance sheet featuring more cash than debt.

According to the press release, Sanofi will prioritize KT-485 for development under the companies’ existing collaboration and expects to begin Phase 1 testing next year. Sanofi has decided not to advance KT-474, an earlier IRAK4 degrader candidate. With Kymera’s next earnings report scheduled for August 1, 2025, investors following this development can access comprehensive analysis through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports, which provide insights into the company’s financial health and growth prospects.

In preclinical testing, KT-485 demonstrated increased selectivity and potency with a favorable safety profile compared to KT-474, positioning it as the lead candidate for targeting the IRAK4 pathway.

Kymera received a $20 million milestone payment in the second quarter of 2025 related to preclinical activities for KT-485. The company is eligible for up to $975 million in additional clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones, including a payment when Phase 1 testing begins. InvestingPro analysis shows the company maintains a healthy current ratio of 8.49, indicating strong ability to meet short-term obligations, while nine analysts have recently revised their earnings expectations upward for the upcoming period.

"Both companies have a strong belief in and commitment to targeting the IRAK4 pathway with degraders that are functionally differentiated from small molecule inhibitors," said Nello Mainolfi, Founder, President and CEO of Kymera Therapeutics.

IRAK4 is described as a master regulator of innate immunity and a key protein in the myddosome complex that mediates signaling through IL-1 and toll-like receptors. By eliminating IRAK4 completely through degradation, the treatment aims to achieve a broad anti-inflammatory effect.

Under the collaboration agreement, Kymera has the option to participate in a 50/50 development and profit share for KT-485 in the United States and is eligible for double-digit royalties.

The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Kymera Therapeutics. For investors seeking deeper insights, InvestingPro offers exclusive access to over 10 additional ProTips and comprehensive financial metrics, helping you make more informed investment decisions.

In other recent news, Kymera Therapeutics has announced positive results from a Phase 1 trial for KT-621, a STAT6 degrader, which has led to several analyst updates. UBS has maintained its Buy rating for Kymera Therapeutics, citing the trial’s success in achieving near-complete STAT6 degradation and robust biomarker impacts without serious adverse events. Similarly, Stifel raised its price target for the company to $68, emphasizing KT-621’s promising pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. H.C. Wainwright also reiterated a Buy rating, noting the trial data significantly reduces risk for upcoming trials. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo reaffirmed its Overweight rating, highlighting strategic interest in STAT6 targets, as evidenced by a recent deal between Sanofi and Nurix Therapeutics.

B. Riley upgraded Kymera’s stock from Neutral to Buy, increasing the price target to $60, following the trial’s success in meeting key benchmarks for target engagement and safety. Analysts at B. Riley underscored the importance of safety data in their decision, viewing the update as reducing risks associated with the STAT6 program. The company’s shares saw significant interest, attributed to both short covering and fundamental investor interest. Kymera is expected to release further trial data in the coming quarters, which could continue to influence investor sentiment.

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

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