- Initial data from NKX101 clinical trial expected by end of 2021
- NKX019 patient dosing expected to start in 2H 2021
- Collaboration with CRISPR Therapeutics to develop gene-edited cell therapies
- New lease for commercial manufacturing center / headquarters to support rapid innovation and scaled production of NK cell therapies
“Nkarta continues to set the pace for NK cell therapy as we build on the strengths of our next generation platform and advance our two co-lead clinical programs,” said
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUTURE MILESTONES
NKX101
Nkarta aims to present initial clinical data from its ongoing clinical trial of NKX101 by year end 2021. In the Phase 1 study, patients receive multiple doses of NKX101 during a 28-day treatment cycle and are eligible to receive subsequent cycles of treatment upon evidence of tolerability and disease response.
NKX019
Nkarta expects patient dosing in a Phase 1 clinical trial of NKX019 to initiate in the second half of 2021 and has begun manufacturing of clinical supply of NKX019 at its in-house cGMP clinical manufacturing facility inSouth San Francisco, California .
Manufacturing
Nkarta entered a lease agreement to establish a combined manufacturing facility and company headquarters. The manufacturing facility will produce materials for potential pivotal trials and commercial launch of multiple engineered NK cell therapy products. The expanded manufacturing footprint, centered inSouth San Francisco, California , builds upon Nkarta’s existing 2,700 square foot cGMP clinical manufacturing facility.
Pipeline and Platform
- In
May 2021 ,Nkarta and CRISPR Therapeutics announced a research and development collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize two chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK cell product candidates, one targeting CD70, and one combining NK and T cells (NK+T), each enhanced with genome engineering. The collaboration also givesNkarta a license to CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology for use in its own engineered NK cell therapy products. Nkarta continues to integrate important scientific insights, processes and breakthroughs into its next generation platform. Platform capabilities include:- Multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering
- “Armored” cells with membrane-bound IL-15 for persistence
- Enhanced expansion, persistence and activity against tumor microenvironment inhibition via CISH deletion
- Cytokine activation using IL-12, -15 and -18 to enhance anti-tumor activity persistence and memory-like properties
- No requirement for cytokine support
- Multi-dose and multi-cycle clinical trial designs
SECOND QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Cash and Cash Equivalents: As of
June 30, 2021 ,Nkarta had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of$280.3 million . - R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were
$16.0 million for the second quarter of 2021. Non-cash stock-based compensation expense included in R&D expense was$1.7 million for the second quarter of 2021. - G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were
$5.7 million for the second quarter of 2021. Non-cash stock-based compensation expense included in G&A expense was$1.9 million for the second quarter of 2021. - Net Loss. Net loss was
$21.5 million , or$0.66 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of 2021.
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Nkarta expects its current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its current operating plan into at least the second half of 2023.
About NKX101
NKX101 is an investigational, off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy that uses natural killer (NK) cells derived from the peripheral blood of healthy donors and engineered with membrane-bound IL15 and a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting NKG2D ligands on tumor cells. NKG2D, a key activating receptor found on naturally occurring NK cells, induces a cell-killing immune response through the detection of stress ligands that are widely expressed on cancer cells. By engineering NKX101 with the proprietary NKG2D-based CAR, the ability of NK cells to recognize and kill tumor cells in pre-clinical models is increased significantly compared to non-engineered NK cells. The addition of membrane-bound IL15, a proprietary version of a cytokine for activating NK cell growth, has been shown in pre-clinical models to enhance the proliferation, persistence and sustained activity of NK cells. A multi-center Phase 1 clinical trial of NKX101 in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is currently enrolling. Additional information about the clinical trial is available on ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04623944.
About NKX019
NKX019 is an investigational, off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy that uses natural killer (NK) cells derived from the peripheral blood of healthy donors and engineered with a CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a proprietary, membrane-bound form of interleukin 15 (IL-15). CD19 is a biomarker for normal and malignant B cells, and it is a validated target for B cell cancer therapies. Via its CAR, NKX019 targets and binds to CD19 and eliminates CD19-expressing cells via a robust immune response in preclinical studies. Preclinical models also demonstrate enhanced proliferation, persistence and activity of NK cells with the membrane-bound IL-15, an important cytokine for NK cell survival. Initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of NKX019 in patients with relapsed/refractory B cell malignancies in multiple centers in
About Nkarta’s Platform and Natural Starting Materials
Nkarta’s engineering platform utilizes healthy adult donors as the source for NK cells. By enlisting this natural source of NK cells,
About Nkarta’s NK Cell Technologies
Nkarta’s manufacturing process generates an abundant supply of NK cells that, at commercial scale, is expected to be significantly lower in cost than other current allogeneic and autologous cell therapies. Key to this efficiency is the rapid expansion of donor-derived NK cells using a proprietary NKSTIM cell line, leading to the production of hundreds of individual doses from a single manufacturing run. The platform also features the ability to freeze and store CAR NK cells for an extended period of time and is designed to enable immediate, off-the-shelf administration to patients at the point of care.
About
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," “plans,” “potential,” "projects,” “would” and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning Nkarta’s expectations regarding any or all of the following: Nkarta’s ability to successfully and rapidly develop NK cell therapies, including advancing its two lead clinical programs and building a pipeline of product candidates; the benefits of Nkarta’s technology platform; the timing of NKX019 clinical trial initiation and patient dosing and NKX101 clinical trial data; Nkarta’s future manufacturing facility and headquarters and production at the facility; the programs planned under Nkarta’s collaboration with CRISPR Therapeutics; Nkarta’s ability to capitalize on the inherent diversity of the innate immune system; the ability of Nkarta’s technology to enhance the proliferation, persistence and anti-tumor activity of NK cells and enable off-the-shelf, point-of-care administration; the efficiency and cost of Nkarta’s manufacturing processes; the number of doses generated from a manufacturing run; Nkarta’s ability to continue manufacturing clinical supply of NKX019 in house; the proprietary nature of Nkarta’s technology; and Nkarta’s expected cash runway. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Nkarta’s limited operating history and historical losses; Nkarta’s lack of any products approved for sale and its ability to achieve profitability; Nkarta’s ability to raise additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of its product candidates; Nkarta’s dependence on the success of its co-lead product candidates, NKX101 and NKX019; that
These and other risks are described more fully in Nkarta’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of Nkarta’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
Condensed Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Research and development | $ | 15,957 | $ | 7,862 | $ | 29,496 | $ | 15,122 | ||||||||
General and administrative | 5,677 | 2,493 | 11,618 | 4,642 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 21,634 | 10,355 | 41,114 | 19,764 | ||||||||||||
Loss from operations | (21,634 | ) | (10,355 | ) | (41,114 | ) | (19,764 | ) | ||||||||
Other income (expense), net: | ||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of preferred stock purchase right liability | — | (40,741 | ) | — | (40,163 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest income | 104 | 27 | 214 | 152 | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net | (5 | ) | 4 | (8 | ) | 4 | ||||||||||
Total other income (expense), net | 99 | (40,710 | ) | 206 | (40,007 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (21,535 | ) | $ | (51,065 | ) | $ | (40,908 | ) | $ | (59,771 | ) | ||||
Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.66 | ) | $ | (30.06 | ) | $ | (1.25 | ) | $ | (36.13 | ) | ||||
Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted | 32,827,365 | 1,698,560 | 32,783,730 | 1,654,304 |
Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
2021 | 2020 | |||||
Assets | ||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments | $ | 280,255 | $ | 315,326 | ||
Property and equipment, net | 11,350 | 9,350 | ||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 12,050 | 8,505 | ||||
Other assets | 5,456 | 4,469 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 309,111 | $ | 337,650 | ||
Liabilities and stockholders' equity | ||||||
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities | $ | 8,034 | $ | 7,511 | ||
Operating lease liabilities | 12,695 | 8,919 | ||||
Total liabilities | 20,729 | 16,430 | ||||
Stockholders’ equity | 288,382 | 321,220 | ||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 309,111 | $ | 337,650 |
Nkarta Media/Investor Contact:
gmann@nkartatx.com
Source:
2021 GlobeNewswire, Inc., source