News

Biotech buyout paves way for new inflammation treatment

A University spinout developing therapies to combat inflammatory diseases has been acquired by a leading pharmaceutical company.

Image of Kynos Therapeutics founders Damian Mole and Scott Webster
Kynos Therapeutics' co-founders (L-R) Professor Damian Mole and Professor Scott Webster

Founded by researchers at the University’s Centre for Inflammation Research and Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Kynos Therapeutics builds on more than a decade of research in the development of therapies at the interface of inflammation, immunity and metabolism.

Dr. Falk Pharma – a company that specialises in digestive and metabolic medicine – will develop the spinout company’s inflammation inhibitors initially for the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

Innovative development

Since its foundation, Kynos Therapeutics has been developing inhibitors for the enzyme known as kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO). 

KMO plays a major role in the control of inflammation and metabolism, contributing to the regulation of the immune system. By inhibiting KMO, drug therapies have the potential to treat conditions such as acute pancreatitis and acute kidney injury, and chronic immuno-inflammatory disorders.

Earlier this year, Kynos Therapeutics’ lead investigational drug, KNS366, was successful in a Phase 1 clinical trial.

It will be added to Dr. Falk Pharma’s research and development pipeline who will further explore the potential of the inhibitors in future clinical trials, initially focusing on acute pancreatitis.

The new asset will enhance the company’s expansion into rare digestive and metabolic diseases and conditions.

Kynos Therapeutics’ co-founders, Professors Damian Mole and Scott Webster will remain as consultants to Dr. Falk Pharma following the acquisition.

This is a momentous milestone for us on our scientific and clinical translational journey to develop KMO inhibitors as a new and useful treatment for patients with diseases caused by inflammation. We are delighted to have now found a partner with the expertise, capacity and commitment to further develop KMO inhibitors, initially for acute pancreatitis, which is an area of immense unmet need.

Professor Damian Mole1777 Professor of Surgery at the University of Edinburgh and co-founder of Kynos Therapeutics

Successful enterprise

Kynos Therapeutics was spun out of the University in 2022 through investments from founding investor Epidarex Capital, a leading early-stage transatlantic venture fund, and joined by IP Group and Scottish Enterprise.

The University’s commercialisation service, Edinburgh Innovations, supported the launch of the spin-out and throughout industry engagement.

This partnership is a fantastic testament to the University’s innovation ecosystem, which has nurtured Kynos and its KMO inhibitors through discovery and development to this new stage of acceleration, which will bring their invention further and faster to patients.

Dr Catherine MartinVice-Principal Corporate Services at the University of Edinburgh

The journey from lab to clinic is long and arduous and, to see these inflammation inhibitors now much further along that path and on a trajectory to improve lives, is what we at Edinburgh Innovations are all about. We are delighted for the founders, and for the University, which will see a return of funds managed by Old College Capital, our in-house venture investment team, continuing to support the most exciting ideas and technologies emerging from the University.

Dr Susan BodieHead of Business Development for the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at Edinburgh Innovations

Related links

Kynos Therapeutics

Edinburgh Innovations | University of Edinburgh

Institute for Regeneration and Repair | University of Edinburgh

Centre for Cardiovascular Science | University of Edinburgh

Image credit - Ian Jacobs Photography