Kynos Therapeutics Acquired by Dr. Falk Pharma
In a significant step for medical innovation, Scottish biotechnology firm Kynos Therapeutics, a spin-out from the University of Edinburgh, has been acquired by the German pharmaceutical group Dr. Falk Pharma.
This acquisition aims to accelerate the development of Kynos’s pioneering anti-inflammatory treatments, specifically focusing on conditions with high unmet medical need such as acute pancreatitis.
Kynos Therapeutics, founded in April 2022, emerged from a groundbreaking partnership between the University of Edinburgh and pharmaceutical giant GSK. Its pipeline of KMO inhibitors, which have shown promise in combating inflammation, is exclusively licensed to the company.
Backed by financial investments from Epidarex Capital, IP Group, and Scottish Enterprise, and bolstered by non-dilutive funding from Innovate UK, Kynos has quickly made strides.
Earlier this year, the company announced a successful first-in-human test of its lead drug candidate, KNS366, a significant milestone that highlights the drug’s potential to move forward in development.
Dr. Falk Pharma, an internationally respected expert in digestive and metabolic diseases, is keen to expand its portfolio into rare diseases and sees acute pancreatitis as an area ripe for transformative innovation.
The German family-owned company, headquartered in Freiburg and employing 1,250 people across 10 affiliates in Europe and Australia, has developed a reputation for excellence in both pre-clinical and clinical-stage research. It now plans to advance KNS366 through further clinical trials, marking a key milestone in Kynos’s development.
Expressing optimism about the acquisition, Kynos’s chief executive, who has led the company since 2022, stated that KNS366 is in excellent hands for its next clinical phase under Dr. Falk Pharma’s guidance.
A co-founder and chief scientific officer described the acquisition as a momentous milestone, celebrating the partnership with Dr. Falk Pharma as an ideal match for Kynos’s scientific mission.
Going further, they highlighted the unmet need in acute pancreatitis treatment, underscoring the potential of KMO inhibitors to address inflammation-driven diseases and the expertise Dr. Falk brings to realise this vision.
What’s more, Dr. Falk’s decision to acquire Kynos reflects its commitment to progressing breakthrough research that could transform treatment options for patients worldwide. Kynos’s early investors share this sentiment.
The general partner at Epidarex Capital praised the acquisition as a prime example of Epidarex’s approach to nurturing innovative companies, congratulating the Kynos team and fellow investors on their successful transaction with Dr. Falk Pharma.
Some final thoughts, as Kynos transitions into this next chapter under Dr. Falk Pharma’s leadership, the acquisition signifies not only a win for the two companies but also a hopeful advancement in medical treatments for inflammatory diseases.
With a shared dedication to clinical excellence, Kynos and Dr. Falk Pharma are well-positioned to push the boundaries of anti-inflammatory treatment and offer new hope to patients suffering from acute pancreatitis and beyond.
News Credits: Germany’s Dr Falk snaps up Kynos Therapeutics in Scotland
Things you may also like:
- Kestrel Foods Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of Indie Bay Snacks
- Resilience Initiative: Transforming the UK’s Medicines Manufacturing Sector
- Johnson & Johnson Assumes Full Sales and Marketing Control of Inflammatory Disease Medications