NiKang Therapeutics Initiates Phase 1/1b Trial of NKT3447, an Oral CDK2 Inhibitor Targeting Cyclin E Reduction

April 15, 2024 —NiKang Therapeutics Inc., a clinical stage biotech company dedicated to creating small molecule oncology treatments, recently announced the commencement of a phase 1/1b clinical trial involving their novel drug candidate NKT3447. This drug, a CDK2 inhibitor, targets cancers characterized by cyclin E amplification or overexpression. The trial aims to assess the safety, effectiveness, and overall response of NKT3447 in adults suffering from advanced or metastatic solid tumors that exhibit cyclin E or CDK2 anomalies.

The study highlights a significant milestone for NiKang as NKT3447 is the inaugural compound from their pipeline specifically focusing on cell cycle dysregulation. Dr. Zhenhai Gao, co-founder, president, and CEO of NiKang, emphasized the unique design of NKT3447 that allows it to selectively target and inactivate CDK2 by preventing its association with cyclin E, which notably reduces the risk of tumor cell resistance mechanisms common with other therapies.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joanne Jenkins Lager, expressed optimism about the drug’s distinct properties that demonstrated considerable anti-tumor activity in pre-clinical studies across multiple tumor models with cyclin E amplification. She further noted the drug’s potential to significantly improve treatment paradigms for various cancers, including ovarian, endometrial, and gastric cancers.

Located in Wilmington, Delaware, NiKang Therapeutics is committed to pioneering in the field of oncology through an approach informed by detailed understanding of molecular pathways and advanced drug design techniques. The company aims to develop transformative treatments that address significant gaps in current cancer therapies.

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