Kyverna's KYV-101 Receives U.S. FDA IND Clearance for Treatment of Patients With Treatment-Refractory Stiff-Person Syndrome in the KYSA-8 Phase 2 Trial

Rhea-AI Summary

Kyverna Therapeutics announced the U.S. FDA has cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for KYV-101. This CAR T-cell therapy aims to treat stiff-person syndrome (SPS) in a Phase 2, open-label KYSA-8 clinical trial. KYV-101, an anti-CD19 CAR T-cell product, targets B cell-driven autoimmune diseases. Preliminary results outside the U.S. suggest promising outcomes. The trial will involve a target dose of 100 million cells, offering a potential new treatment for patients unresponsive to current therapies. Kyverna's collaboration with the FDA has been pivotal in advancing this trial.

Positive

• FDA clearance of Kyverna's IND application for KYV-101.
• KYV-101 targets B cell-driven autoimmune diseases, expanding therapeutic options.
• Preliminary promising results observed in SPS patients treated outside the U.S.
• Phase 2 KYSA-8 clinical trial to explore the effectiveness of KYV-101.
• Potential paradigm shift in treating SPS with CAR T-cell therapy.
• Target dose of 100 million cells established for the trial.

Negative

• No negative business aspects reported.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The FDA's clearance of Kyverna's IND application for KYV-101 is a significant step forward in the development of treatments for treatment-refractory stiff-person syndrome (SPS). This specific therapy is an autologous, fully human anti-CD19 CAR T-cell product, a novel approach to treating B cell-driven autoimmune diseases. For those unfamiliar, CAR T-cell therapy involves reprogramming a patient's T cells to target specific proteins on diseased cells. This method has revolutionized cancer treatment and now holds promise for autoimmune diseases as well.

One notable aspect of the IND clearance is that CAR T-cell therapy has already shown preliminary positive results in patients with SPS treated outside the United States, indicating the promising potential of KYV-101. This trial, therefore, aims to capitalize on those early results by expanding the data pool and potentially confirming the therapy's efficacy.

From a medical perspective, the ability to target CD19-positive B cells directly is compelling, especially for a condition like SPS, which is difficult to treat with conventional therapies. The trial's goal of using a target dose of 100 million cells is ambitious and aligns with existing frameworks for effective CAR T-cell dosages in similar therapies.

Overall, this development offers a potential breakthrough for SPS patients who have exhausted other treatment options. Long-term benefits are still to be assessed, but the existing preliminary data provides a strong basis for optimism.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, the FDA's clearance of the IND application for KYV-101 puts Kyverna Therapeutics in a strong position within the biopharmaceutical sector. The CAR T-cell therapy market has been rapidly growing, with significant interest from both investors and larger pharmaceutical companies. In this context, FDA clearance acts as a major validation point, enhancing the company's credibility and potentially increasing its attractiveness for partnerships and investments.

An important factor to consider is the target market for KYV-101. Stiff-person syndrome is a rare but severe condition and the existing treatments are often ineffective for a significant subset of patients. This unmet medical need creates a niche market with high demand potential. Furthermore, successfully entering this market could open doors to applying KYV-101 to other B cell-driven autoimmune diseases, thus expanding its market potential significantly.

However, it's important for investors to keep in mind the inherent risks of clinical trials. While the initial data is promising, the Phase 2 trial will need to replicate these results within a larger and more diverse patient population. Regulatory hurdles and potential side effects are factors that could impact the timeline and eventual market entry of KYV-101.

In the short term, positive news from this IND clearance will likely bolster investor confidence and may influence the stock positively. Long-term success will depend on the trial outcomes and subsequent regulatory approvals.

This IND clearance expands the use of KYV-101 CAR T-cell therapy in a Phase 2, open-label KYSA-8 clinical trial targeting a devastating neuroimmunological autoimmune disease

KYV-101 is a fully human anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy designed for use in patients with B cell-driven autoimmune diseases

EMERYVILLE, Calif., June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (Kyverna), a patient-centered, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cell therapies for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, announced today the clearance of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its autologous, fully human anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell product candidate, KYV-101, to be used for the treatment of stiff-person syndrome (SPS) in Kyverna's trial, named KYSA-8. 

"CAR T-cell therapy has already shown preliminary but promising results in patients with SPS treated outside of the US," said Marinos Dalakas, M.D., FAAN, Professor of Neurology, Director of the Neuromuscular Division at Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, and a leading physician and researcher on SPS. "I find the KYSA-8 trial of extraordinary importance as a promising novel therapy for patients with stiff person syndrome who do not respond to current therapies, with implications in providing potentially long-lasting benefits."

"The IND clearance gives us confidence in our dedication to bringing a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of patients suffering from SPS and reaffirms a target dose of 100 million cells for KYV-101," said Sham Dholakia, M.D., business unit head rare diseases at Kyverna. "We are also very grateful to the FDA for the collaborative approach and timely vetting of our clinical trial design."

About Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) 
SPS is a rare, progressive neurological autoimmune disorder causing debilitating muscle stiffness in the torso, arms, and legs, impacting the ability to walk or move. Patients typically present with muscle spasms and stiffness, resulting in difficulty turning and bending. When stiffness is severe, the patient's walking resembles a statue. Muscle spasms and stiffness can be precipitated by unexpected stimuli, including sounds, like a phone ring or a siren, sudden touches or conditions triggering anxiety and emotional upset which, when severe, are misdiagnosed as a primary anxiety disorder¹. 

There is no cure for SPS, but only treatments focused on treating the symptoms.

About KYV-101
KYV-101 is an autologous, fully human anti-CD19 CAR T-cell product candidate for use in B cell-driven autoimmune diseases. The CAR in KYV-101 was designed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve tolerability and tested in a 20-patient Phase 1 trial in oncology. Results were published by the NIH in Nature Medicine².

KYV-101 is currently being evaluated in sponsored, open-label, Phase 1/2 and Phase 2 trials of KYV-101 in the United States and Germany across two broad areas of autoimmune disease: rheumatology and neurology.

With 50 patients treated so far with the CAR in KYV-101 in both oncological and autoimmune conditions at more than 15 locations in Europe and the U.S., we believe that the differentiated properties of KYV-101 are critical for the potential success of CAR T cells as autoimmune disease therapies.

KYV-101 is also being evaluated in investigator-initiated trials for multiple indications in multiple geographies. 

About Kyverna Therapeutics
Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KYTX) is a patient-centered, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cell therapies for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. 

Our lead CAR T-cell therapy candidate, KYV-101 is advancing through clinical development with sponsored clinical trials across two broad areas of autoimmune disease: rheumatology and neurology, including Phase 2 trials for stiff person syndrome, multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis, a Phase 1/2 trial for systemic sclerosis, and two ongoing multi-center, open-label Phase 1/2 trials in the United States and Germany for patients with lupus nephritis. 

Kyverna's pipeline includes next-generation CAR T-cell therapies in both autologous and allogeneic formats with properties intended to be well suited for use in B cell-driven autoimmune diseases.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute "forward-looking statements." The words, without limitation, "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these or similar identifying words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, those related to: the potential efficacy of KYV-101 in patients with SPS, the potential that the results of the KYSA-8 trial could usher in a transformational event in the treatment of SPS patients; Kyverna's goals to develop certain paradigm-shifting treatment options; Kyverna's beliefs about the differentiated properties of KYV-101; and Kyverna's clinical trials. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: uncertainties related to market conditions, and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Kyverna's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that Kyverna has filed or may subsequently file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the current expectations of Kyverna's management team and speak only as of the date hereof, and Kyverna specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

For more information, please visit https://kyvernatx.com. 

Kyverna Media Contact:
Consort Partners for Kyverna
kyvernatx@consortpartners.com 

^1.Dalakas, M.C., Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19, 832–847.
² Brudno et al., Nature Medicine 2020; 26:270-280. 

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SOURCE Kyverna Therapeutics

FAQ

What is the significance of Kyverna's KYV-101 receiving FDA IND clearance?

The FDA IND clearance allows KYV-101 to be used in a Phase 2 clinical trial for treating stiff-person syndrome, expanding therapeutic options for patients unresponsive to current therapies.

When was Kyverna's IND application for KYV-101 cleared by the FDA?

Kyverna's IND application for KYV-101 was cleared by the FDA on June 20, 2024.

What is KYV-101 and what does it treat?

KYV-101 is a fully human anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy designed to treat B cell-driven autoimmune diseases, specifically targeting stiff-person syndrome in the KYSA-8 Phase 2 trial.

What are the expected benefits of KYV-101 in treating stiff-person syndrome?

KYV-101 has shown promising preliminary results in SPS patients treated outside the U.S., potentially offering long-lasting benefits for those who do not respond to current therapies.

What is the target dose for KYV-101 in the KYSA-8 trial?

The target dose for KYV-101 in the KYSA-8 Phase 2 trial is 100 million cells.

Who announced the importance of the KYSA-8 trial?

Marinos Dalakas, M.D., FAAN, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Neuromuscular Division at Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine, highlighted the KYSA-8 trial's importance.