Kynexis Announces Initiation of First-in-Human Phase 1 Study of KYN-5356, a Potential Treatment for Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia

‍Naarden, The Netherlands – January 4, 2024 – Kynexis, a biotechnology company focused on precision therapeutics by leveraging biomarkers and human genetics for brain diseases, announced today that the first healthy volunteers have been dosed in its first-in-human phase 1 study of KYN-5356. KYN-5356, a clinical-stage small molecule targeting a key enzyme in the kynurenine pathway known as KAT-II, is being developed for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia(CIAS). Kynexis expects to report preliminary data from the phase 1 study later this year.

“Cognitive impairment is a major cause of disability for most people affected with schizophrenia, and there are currently no approved treatments for CIAS,” said Kees Been, Chief Executive Officer at Kynexis. “KYN-5356 is potent, highly selective, and enters the CNS, solving the challenges of previous attempts at KAT-II inhibition. We are committed to advancing this potential treatment to restore brain function and enable a better life for people with schizophrenia, and we look forward to reporting initial data from this study later this year.”

Kynexis’ phase 1 clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple ascending oral doses of KYN-5356 in adult, healthy subjects. For more information on this clinical trial, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.