OUR SCIENCE
Kayothera is pioneering the development of oral, first-in-class antagonists of the retinoid nuclear receptor pathway. Activation of the retinoid pathway causes acute metabolic dysregulation and a cancer-promoting effect in humans, suggesting that retinoid inhibitors may reverse the progression of multiple cardiometabolic diseases and aggressive cancers. Yet, blocking the retinoid pathway has posed challenges to drug development for nearly three decades.
Learning from these decades of failure, Kayothera’s unique approach prevents the formation of the retinoid nuclear receptor ligand, analogous to the aromatase inhibitors in the Estrogen Receptor pathway.
PIPELINE
Diabetes
KAYO-1732 inhibits retinoid synthesis in the pancreas, adipose, and vasculature. It shows promise in preventing or reversing diabetes by restoring glucose and lipid control. It’s being developed as a disease-modifying therapy for cardiometabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
Oncology
KAYO-1609 Inhibits retinoid synthesis in immune and tumor cells, enhancing T-cell mediated killing of solid tumors. It’s scheduled for clinical development in several underserved cancer populations in 2025.
Obesity
KAYO-2000 targets a genetically validated obesity marker in the rexinoid pathway, which regulates thyroid and mitochondrial function. It’s being developed as a next-generation, oral weight-loss therapy.
PUBLICATIONS & REFERENCES
Read More: PMC11318670.
Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of ALDH1A3 as a treatment of β-cell failure. Nature Communications 2023 Read More: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36315-4
Emerging strategies for treating metastasis. Nature Cancer 2021. Read More: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43018-021-00181-0
Reversing pancreatic β-cell dedifferentiation in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 2024. Read More: https://www.nature.com/articles/s12276-023-01043-8