Kinarus Therapeutics

Kinarus Therapeutics (SIX:KNRS) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on bringing novel, patient-focused treatments for viral, respiratory, and ophthalmic diseases. Kinarus was incorporated in Basel, Switzerland in 2017. Our lead drug candidate is an oral combination of a clinical-stage P38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor, in-licensed from Roche, and a second drug, together enabling an oral, long-term effective treatment. Kinarus has launched a large Phase 2 clinical trial in hospitalized Covid-19 patients with the aim to reduce mortality and duration of hospital stay. The mechanism of action of our candidate is three-fold; reducing viral replication, inflammation, and organ damage. The trial is actively enrolling patients. Kinarus has also obtained regulatory approval for a one-year Phase 2 clinical trial in patients diagnosed with wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Injectable agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor are the only approved therapies. Despite the availability of these drugs, real-world data shows significant under-treatment leading to progressive loss of vision and blindness. Kinarus's drug candidate, administered on top of anti-VEGF agents, has the potential to reduce injection frequency, providing additional therapeutic benefit and relieving the high burden to patients and their caregivers.