Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals Shifts Focus to Cardiovascular Pipeline, Discontinues Sjögren's and AstraZeneca-Licensed Programs

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, a London-based biotech company, has announced a significant strategic shift in its drug development pipeline, discontinuing two key programs and refocusing its efforts on cardiovascular therapeutics. The move comes as part of a broader portfolio reprioritization and capital allocation strategy.

Termination of Sjögren's Syndrome Program

Kiniksa has decided to halt the development of abiprubart, a monoclonal antibody targeting the CD40 protein, which was being investigated for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome. The company had initiated a Phase IIb study for abiprubart in July 2024, enrolling approximately 200 patients to test biweekly and monthly dosing schedules.

The decision to discontinue the program will result in immediate cessation of patient enrollment and wind-down of all related activities. Kiniksa estimates that the termination will incur costs of $19 million already spent, with an additional $14 million to $17 million expected in discontinuation expenses, primarily due to contract termination costs for existing supply agreements.

AstraZeneca-Licensed Antibody Abandoned

In addition to shelving its Sjögren's syndrome program, Kiniksa has also terminated its licensing agreement with AstraZeneca's MedImmune for mavrilimumab, a GM-CSF blocker. This monoclonal antibody was being evaluated for giant cell arteritis and COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The original licensing deal, signed in December 2017, involved an upfront payment of $23 million and potential future milestone payments of up to $57.5 million for the first two programs, with an additional $15 million possible for further indications. Kiniksa had already slowed down investment in mavrilimumab as of January 2024 and was seeking potential development partners for the asset.

Pivot to Cardiovascular Focus

With the discontinuation of abiprubart and mavrilimumab, Kiniksa's pipeline has narrowed to focus entirely on cardiovascular therapeutics. The company's primary development efforts will now center on KPL-387, an IL-1 blocker being investigated for recurrent pericarditis. Kiniksa is preparing to launch Phase II/III trials for KPL-387 in mid-2025.

The company's pipeline also includes KPL-1161, another IL-1 antagonist, though its specific indication has not yet been disclosed. This strategic pivot aligns with Kiniksa's new direction in cardiovascular drug development and reflects the company's revised priorities in resource allocation.