Benzinga | May 20, 2021 11:01AM EDT

Nektar Therapeutics Highlights First Publication Of NKTR-358, a Novel Molecule Designed to Selectively Stimulate Expansion and Selective Function of T Regulatory Cells, in the Journal of Translational Autoimmunity

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) today announced the publication of preclinical data in the Journal of Translational Autoimmunity describing NKTR-358, a first-in-class, composition of stable PEG conjugates of native IL-2 designed to selectively stimulate T regulatory (Treg) cell function. NKTR-358 is currently in development for the treatment of a range of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. These published data demonstrate that NKTR-358 has the ability to elicit sustained and preferential proliferation and activation of Tregs in vivo without corresponding increases in T effector cells.





"The publication in the Journal of Translational Autoimmunity demonstrates, by a variety of measures, and across species, that NKTR-358 induces sustained, selective proliferation and activation of regulatory T cells with minimal effects on T effector cells. This is an important finding that validates the mechanistic approach of NKTR-358 for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and provides a strong rationale for its ongoing clinical development," said Dr. Richard Furie, NKTR-358 key investigator and Chief, Division of Rheumatology, Northwell Health and Professor, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

"NKTR-358 preferentially binds to the high affinity trimeric receptor on T regulatory cells resulting in the downregulation of function and proliferation of T effector cells," said Jonathan Zalevsky, Ph.D., Chief Research & Development Officer at Nektar. "The findings in the Journal of Translational Autoimmunity deepen our understanding of the pharmacology of NKTR-358 and, together with the early promising clinical data, provide strong support for continued testing as a new therapeutic for patients with diseases that have an imbalance of T lymphocyte subsets leading to autoimmunity. We look forward to the continued progress of multiple NKTR-358 studies across numerous autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by our partner, Eli Lilly."

In the study, researchers investigated NKTR-358's selectivity for Tregs, receptor-binding properties, ex vivo and in vivo pharmacodynamics, ability to suppress T effector cell proliferation in vivo and functional activity in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Key findings are summarized below:

* A single administration of NKTR-358 in mice promotes greater Treg expansion compared with multiple administrations of native IL-2, demonstrating enhanced specificity towards Treg induction and improved pharmacokinetics in comparison with native IL-2.

* In a murine model of SLE, treatment with NKTR-358 maintained elevated Tregs for the duration of treatment and ameliorated disease progression.

* Tregs isolated from NKTR-358-treated mice displayed a sustained and higher suppression of T effector cell proliferation versus those from vehicle-treated mice.

* Repeated NKTR-358 dosing in non-human primates over six months demonstrated expansion of Tregs following each dose. Importantly, no anti-drug antibodies were detected during the six months of dosing, indicating that NKTR-358 does not induce immunogenicity while maintaining its pharmacologic effects over time.

Phase 1b data presented at the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) in June 2020 showed that NKTR-358 was safe and well tolerated in patients with mild-to-moderate SLE and led to a marked and selective, dose-dependent expansion of Tregs that was maintained over multiple administrations. Additional Phase 1b data from the study presented at the annual American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meeting in November 2020 included key biomarkers of Treg function and assessment of disease characteristics in mild to moderate SLE patients.

As part of the broad development program for NKTR-358, Nektar's partner, Eli Lilly & Co., is conducting a Phase 2 study in patients with SLE, a Phase 2 study in patients with ulcerative colitis, as well as two separate Phase 1b studies in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

A link to the publication can be found here.