Kynexis Appoints Experts to Scientific Advisory Board for Brain Disease Therapies

Kynexis, a biotechnology firm specializing in precision therapeutics for brain disorders through the use of biomarkers and human genetics, has announced the establishment of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB, consisting of eminent experts in neuroscience, genetics, and drug development, is set to collaborate with Kynexis' leadership to propel the development of KYN-5356. This molecule, a first-in-class KAT-II inhibitor, is being developed to address cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS).

Kees Been, CEO of Kynexis, highlighted the company's commitment to improving brain function and quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia. He emphasized that the current year is pivotal, marked by the commencement of the phase 1 clinical trial of KYN-5356 in healthy volunteers. Been expressed enthusiasm about the contributions the SAB members will make, leveraging their extensive expertise to advance KYN-5356 as a promising treatment for CIAS.

Carol Tamminga, M.D., the Scientific Co-founder and Chair of the SAB, lauded Kynexis' scientific foundation in modulating the kynurenine pathway, a promising area in the context of schizophrenia genetics. Tamminga, who has been integral to Kynexis since its inception, is eager to work with the SAB and the leadership team to bring a novel precision approach targeting the KAT-II enzyme into fruition.

The SAB is composed of several distinguished members:

1. Carol Tamminga, M.D. - A co-founder of Kynexis and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern. Tamminga's translational research in psychosis has significantly advanced the understanding of schizophrenia and its associated genetic and biomarker profiles.

2. Robert Schwarcz, Ph.D. - A co-founder of Kynexis and a Professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore. Schwarcz’s research on the kynurenine pathway has uncovered critical insights into its role in cognition and schizophrenia, forming the basis for innovative therapeutic approaches.

3. Brett Clementz, Ph.D. - A Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Georgia and Director of UGA’s BioImaging Research Center. Clementz’s work, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), translates clinical neuroscience into treatment strategies for severe psychiatric disorders.

4. John Harrison, Ph.D. - An Associate Professor at the Alzheimer Center Amsterdam and Visiting Professor at King’s College London. Harrison specializes in cognitive skill enhancement and has contributed to over 80 CNS drug development programs.

5. Philip D. Harvey, Ph.D. - A Professor at the University of Miami and Senior Health Research Scientist at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center. Harvey, with over 1,000 scientific publications, focuses on cognition and functioning in schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.

6. Dana C. Hilt, M.D. - Chief Medical Officer at Actinogen Therapeutics with over 25 years in CNS drug development. Hilt has contributed to drug development for several conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

7. Richard Keefe, Ph.D. - A Professor Emeritus at Duke University, Keefe’s research aims at understanding and treating cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. He has played a leadership role in numerous NIMH studies and industry trials, publishing extensively in his field.

8. Thomas Laughren, M.D. - Director of Regulatory Affairs for Massachusetts General Hospital Clinical Trials Network and Institute (CTNI). Laughren has vast experience in psychiatric drug regulation, having overseen numerous drug development activities at the FDA.

Kynexis aims to revolutionize treatment for CIAS through a biomarker-based approach, targeting the KAT-II enzyme within the kynurenine pathway. Their lead candidate, KYN-5356, is undergoing phase 1 clinical trials to evaluate its safety and pharmacokinetics in healthy adults. The company, with a subsidiary in Cambridge, Massachusetts, continues to advance its precision therapeutics for brain diseases.

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