On August 11, 2022 Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing breakthrough treatments for immune-mediated and oncologic disorders, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 and provided a business update (Press release, Kezar Life Sciences, AUG 11, 2022, View Source [SID1234618124]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"The second quarter was tremendously productive for Kezar, during which we achieved key clinical milestones, strengthened our balance sheet, and added great talent to our leadership team, marking a major step in our growth," said John Fowler, Kezar’s Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. "We shared exciting positive topline results from our MISSION Phase 2 study evaluating zetomipzomib in LN patients, and our Phase 1 trial in solid tumors with our novel protein secretion inhibitor, KZR-261 is progressing as planned. We look forward to continued momentum across the company for the rest of 2022 and providing further updates in the coming months."

Zetomipzomib: Selective Immunoproteasome Inhibitor

MISSION – Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of zetomipzomib (KZR-616) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with and without active lupus nephritis (LN) (NCT03393013)

In June 2022, Kezar reported topline results from the open-label MISSION Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating zetomipzomib in patients with active LN.
During the 24-week treatment period, patients received 60 mg of zetomipzomib subcutaneously once weekly (first dose of 30 mg) in addition to stable background therapy. End-of-treatment assessments occurred at Week 25, with completion of study at Week 37. Patients in the MISSION Phase 2 clinical trial received zetomipzomib without induction therapy, which represents a difference from other recently published trials in LN. The primary efficacy endpoint for the trial was the proportion of patients achieving an overall renal response (ORR), measured as a 50% or greater reduction in urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) at end of treatment. A key secondary efficacy endpoint was the number of patients with a complete renal response (CRR), measured as an absolute reduction in proteinuria values to a UPCR of 0.5 or less, with preserved renal function (eGFR), and corticosteroid use of 10 mg or less prednisone/prednisone equivalent and no use of prohibited medication.
In the Phase 2 topline analysis, 17 of 21 patients enrolled in the trial reached end of treatment:
11 of 17 patients (64.7%) achieved an ORR measured as a 50% or greater reduction in UPCR at end of treatment compared to baseline, the primary efficacy endpoint of the clinical trial.
6 of 17 patients (35.2%) achieved a CRR of 0.5 UPCR or less, with all other protocol definitions satisfied.
Treatment benefit of zetomipzomib was maintained or deepened following the end of treatment, based on assessments at Week 29.
16 of 17 patients (94.1%) reached an ORR at Week 29, and 6 patients maintained a CRR.
Patients’ mean daily prednisone background dosage was reduced from 19.2 mg at baseline to 9.1 mg at week 25 and was further reduced at Week 29.
Also in June, Kezar presented a poster featuring zetomipzomib as part of the EULAR Science Exhibit session at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
POS0715: Treatment of SLE Patients with Zetomipzomib (KZR-616), a Selective Inhibitor of the Immunoproteasome, Results in Circulating Gene Expression, Protein Level, and Immune Cell Phenotypic Changes with Potential Correlations to Clinical Response, presented by Andrea Fan, Ph.D., Vice President, Head of Biology and Translational Research, Kezar Life Sciences.
KZR-261: Protein Secretion Inhibitor

KZR-261-101 – Phase 1 clinical trial of KZR-261 in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid malignancies (NCT05047536)

KZR‑261 is a novel, broad-spectrum agent that acts through direct interaction and inhibition of the Sec61 translocon. In preclinical studies, KZR-261 has been shown to induce a direct anti-tumor effect as well as modulate the tumor microenvironment, including enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.
The Phase 1 clinical trial of KZR-261 is being conducted in two parts: dose escalation and dose expansion in subjects with selected tumor types. The trial is designed to evaluate safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as to explore the preliminary anti-tumor activity of KZR-261 in patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease.
At the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2022 Annual Meeting, held in April 2022 in New Orleans, LA, Kezar presented data on its proprietary small molecule inhibitors of the Sec61 translocon, specifically KZR-834, a working analog of KZR-261.
Appointment of Chief Business Officer

In July 2022, Nick Mordwinkin, Pharm.D., Ph.D., was appointed as Chief Business Officer. Dr. Mordwinkin brings over a decade of experience in leadership, corporate development and strategic partnership roles in the healthcare industry. Dr. Mordwinkin will be responsible for shaping and overseeing the Company’s business development strategy.
Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $306.8 million as of June 30, 2022, compared to $208.4 million as of December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to net proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the "at-the-market" Sales Agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC, net of cash used by the company in operations to advance its clinical-stage programs and preclinical research and development.
Research and development expenses for the second quarter of 2022 increased by $2.0 million to $11.3 million compared to $9.3 million in the second quarter of 2021. This increase was primarily related to advancing the zetomipzomib clinical programs and the KZR-261 Phase 1 clinical trial.
General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2022 increased by $1.3 million to $5.0 million compared to $3.7 million in the second quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in personnel expenses, including non-cash stock-based compensation and an increase in professional services.
Net loss for the second quarter of 2022 was $16.2 million, or $0.25 per basic and diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $13.0 million, or $0.25 per basic and diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2021.
Total shares of common stock outstanding were 68.3 million shares as of June 30, 2022. Additionally, there were outstanding pre-funded warrants to purchase 3.8 million shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share and outstanding options to purchase 9.2 million shares of common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $8.05 per share as of June 30, 2022.
About Zetomipzomib (KZR-616)

Zetomipzomib (KZR-616) is a novel, first-in-class, selective immunoproteasome inhibitor with broad therapeutic potential across multiple autoimmune diseases. Preclinical research demonstrates that selective immunoproteasome inhibition results in a broad anti-inflammatory response in animal models of several autoimmune diseases, while avoiding immunosuppression. Data generated from Phase 1 clinical trials provide evidence that zetomipzomib exhibits a favorable safety and tolerability profile for development in severe, chronic autoimmune diseases.

About Lupus Nephritis

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). LN is a disease comprising a spectrum of vascular, glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions and develops in approximately 50% of SLE patients within 10 years of their initial diagnosis. LN is associated with considerable morbidity, including an increased risk of end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis or renal transplantation and an increased risk of death. There are limited approved therapies for the treatment of LN. Management typically consists of induction therapy to achieve remission and long-term maintenance therapy to prevent relapse.

About KZR-261 and the Inhibition of Protein Secretion

KZR-261 is a first-in-class small molecule compound, derived from Kezar’s research and discovery platform of protein secretion pathway inhibitors. This broad-spectrum anti-tumor agent directly targets the Sec61 translocon and inhibits multiple cancer drivers both within tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. A Phase 1 clinical trial is underway for the treatment of solid tumor malignancies.

Kezar’s drug discovery platform of protein secretion pathway inhibitors is a novel approach with broad application. The protein secretion pathway is a highly conserved and ubiquitously functioning pathway in all cells in the body and involves a conserved protein complex called the Sec61 translocon, the target of Kezar’s compounds. In preclinical models, Kezar’s library of protein secretion inhibitors have demonstrated broad activity with far-reaching potential in oncology, immune-oncology, and autoimmunity.