News Kezar Life Sciences Raises $50M to Advance Clinical Testing of Potential MS Treatment Kezar Life Sciences Raises $50M to Advance Clinical Testing of Potential MS Treatment by Joana Fernandes, PhD | July 27, 2017 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link Kezar Life SciencesĀ announced that it is planning to move ahead with clinical testing of KZR-616,Ā a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. The company recently concluded a Phase 1 safety study of the treatment, and raised $50 million in investment funding to support its development. KZR-616 is a first-in-class selective immunoproteasome inhibitor, meaningĀ it works by blocking abnormal protein degradation. Cells eliminate proteins by sending them to a specialized cell compartment known as the proteasome. In immune cells, the proteasome is called immunoproteasome, and it regulates several selective inhibitors and participates in the regulation of the immune response associated with inflammatory diseases such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and lupus. “We are pleased with the results of our healthy volunteer study, and grateful for the support of such an excellent group of investors to finance our upcoming clinical trials,” John Fowler, Kezar Life Sciencesā CEO, said in a news release. “The strong demand for this financing reflects growing excitement for the potential of immunoproteasome inhibition in treating autoimmune disorders and recognizes the clear leadership position enjoyed by Kezar.” The Phase 1 trial enrolled 82 healthy subjects, who were assigned to receive either KZR-616 or placebo. In total,Ā 61 volunteers wereĀ givenĀ KZR-616Ā asĀ single or multiple doses at varying dose levels to identify the optimal dose for bothĀ tolerability and proteasome inhibition. Results will be presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s Annual Meeting to be held inĀ San Diego in November. “These initial clinical trial results demonstrate that KZR-616 is achieving the desired levels of immunoproteasome inhibition that correlate with anti-inflammatory activity seen in laboratory models,ā said Christopher Kirk, PhD, company president and CSO. āBy selectively targeting the immunoproteasome, we believe we can avoid the toxicities associated with dual proteasome inhibitors like Velcade and Kyprolis.” The Series B financing round was led by Cormorant Asset Management and Morningside Venture and raised $50 million to support the development of KZR-616. KezarĀ announced it hasĀ the support of newĀ investors, including Cowen Healthcare Investments, Pappas Ventures, Qiming Venture Partners, and Bay City Capital. “Cormorant is pleased to support Kezar as it enters an exciting series of patient studies, the first ever with a selective immunoproteasome inhibitor,” said Bihua Chen, founder of Cormorant Asset Management. “While much work remains, I believe KZR-616 has the potential to be a transformative treatment in autoimmunity.” Print This Page About the Author Joana Fernandes, PhD Joana brings more than 8 years of academic research and experience as well as Scientific writing and editing to her role as a Science and Research writer. She also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology in Coimbra, Portugal, where she also received her PhD in Health Science and Technologies, with a specialty in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Tags clinical trials, funding
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