#United States #Boston #EQT Life Sciences #Kinaset Therapeutics #Frevecitinib

EQT Life Sciences Invests in Kinaset Therapeutics

EQT Life Sciences has made a significant investment in Kinaset Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Boston, dedicated to developing innovative inhaled therapies for serious respiratory diseases. This recent funding round raised a total of $103 million, led by RA Capital Management and Forge Life Science Partners, with participation from various prominent investors.

The proceeds from this oversubscribed Series B financing will be directed towards advancing Kinaset's hallmark drug, frevecitinib. This novel inhaled therapeutic represents a major breakthrough in asthma management, particularly for patients whose conditions remain poorly controlled by existing treatments.

Asthma is a widespread ailment affecting millions globally, yet many patients struggle with inadequate control despite available therapies. Traditional biologic treatments are typically designed for specific types of inflammation, often leaving individuals with severe asthma without effective alternatives. As such, the need for a comprehensive, safe, and inhaled anti-inflammatory therapy that can cater to a wide range of asthma patients has never been more pressing.

Frevecitinib is an inhaled dry powder that acts as a pan-JAK inhibitor, a class of immune-modulating medications. It is uniquely designed to deliver therapeutic concentrations directly to the lungs using a single-capsule dry powder inhaler, thus reducing systemic exposure and associated risks. This method aims not only to treat asthma effectively but also to expand treatment options for individuals with severe asthma, including those who do not respond well to standard therapies.

Daniela Begolo, Managing Director at EQT Life Sciences, expressed her enthusiasm for Kinaset's innovative approach. She noted, "Kinaset is taking a highly differentiated approach to asthma by pairing validated JAK biology with an inhaled delivery designed to maximize lung exposure while minimizing systemic risk. The experience of the management team places Kinaset in a unique position to address the broad asthma population."

Robert Clarke, CEO of Kinaset Therapeutics, emphasized the company's vision since its inception: to establish a leading-edge therapeutic for severe inflammatory respiratory diseases. Unlike most existing therapeutics, frevecitinib is aimed at benefiting all patients with severe asthma, including those with non-eosinophilic phenotypes who currently lack safe and effective treatment options.

This recent financing marks a pivotal moment for Kinaset, allowing it to roll out a Phase 2 dose-ranging clinical study for frevecitinib in severe asthma, with aspirations to extend its applications thereafter. The backing of respected life science investors underscores both the strength of Kinaset's team and the critical gap in treatment that they aim to fill.

As asthma remains a pressing public health concern, advancements made in inhaled therapies such as frevecitinib could not only benefit countless patients but also set new standards in asthma care. With this funding, Kinaset Therapeutics is poised to make significant strides in providing effective respiratory disease management and improving the quality of life for asthma sufferers worldwide.

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