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Kezar Life Sciences Reports Third-Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Provides Business Updates

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing breakthrough treatments for immune-mediated and oncologic disorders, today announced its third-quarter 2020 financial results and corporate highlights.

“The third quarter of 2020 saw continued momentum for Kezar, punctuated by the U.S. FDA granting Orphan Drug Designations for our lead candidate KZR-616 for the treatment of polymyositis and dermatomyositis,” said John Fowler, Kezar’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, our presentations at a number of medical and scientific meetings this fall highlight the compelling therapeutic potential of our two highly novel programs in immunoproteasome inhibition and the protein secretion pathway. With each step forward, our conviction deepens that Kezar’s novel small molecule approaches in autoimmunity and oncology could have profound impacts on a wide array of diseases with high unmet need.”

Clinical Highlights & Updates

KZR-616: Selective Immunoproteasome Inhibitor

KZR-616 is currently being evaluated for the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases.

KZR-261: Protein Secretion Program

Third-Quarter 2020 Financial Results

About KZR-616

KZR-616 is a novel, first-in-class, selective immunoproteasome inhibitor with broad therapeutic potential across multiple autoimmune diseases. Preclinical research demonstrates that selective immunoproteasome inhibition results in a broad anti-inflammatory response in animal models of several autoimmune diseases, while avoiding immunosuppression. Data generated from Phase 1a and 1b clinical trials provide evidence that KZR-616 exhibits a favorable safety and tolerability profile for development in severe, chronic autoimmune diseases. Phase 2 trials are underway in severe autoimmune diseases.

About KZR-261

KZR-261, a novel, first-in-class protein secretion inhibitor, is the first clinical candidate to be nominated from Kezar’s research and discovery efforts targeting protein secretion pathways. KZR-261 is a broad-spectrum anti-tumor agent that acts through direct interaction and inhibition of Sec61 activity. The compound was discovered by Kezar through a robust medicinal chemistry campaign in which several scaffolds were progressed through the company’s proprietary platform evaluating Sec61 modulation. As a result, Kezar has established a broad library of protein secretion inhibitors. KZR-261 has demonstrated several encouraging properties that lead to its potential to be an anti-cancer agent for the treatment of solid and hematologic malignancies. IND-enabling activities are currently underway, and an IND submission in solid tumors is expected to be filed in the first quarter of 2021.

About Kezar Life Sciences

Based in South San Francisco, Kezar Life Sciences is combining courage, conviction and cutting-edge science to develop breakthrough treatments for immune-mediated and oncologic disorders. The company is pioneering first-in-class, small-molecule therapies that harness master regulators of cellular function and inhibit multiple drivers of disease via a single target. KZR-616, a first-in-class selective immunoproteasome inhibitor, is being evaluated in severe and underserved autoimmune diseases. Additionally, KZR-261, the first clinical candidate for the treatment of cancer from the company’s protein secretion program targeting the Sec61 translocon, is undergoing IND-enabling activities. For more information, visit www.kezarlifesciences.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Kezar’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties that could cause Kezar’s clinical development programs, future results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about the company’s financial position and the timing and amount of future operating expenses, the design, progress, timing, scope and results of clinical trials, the anticipated timing of disclosure of results of clinical trials, plans for initiating future clinical trials and extension studies, the likelihood data will support future development, the association of data with treatment outcomes, the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval of Kezar’s product candidates, the timing of regulatory filings, and the discovery and development of new product candidates. Orphan Drug Designation does not provide any assurance of regulatory approval or expedite regulatory review. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s business, clinical trials and financial position, unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process, and unexpected litigation or other disputes. Other factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in Kezar’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” contained therein. Except as required by law, Kezar assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

KEZAR LIFE SCIENCES, INC.

Selected Balance Sheets Data

(in thousands)

September 30, 2020

December 31, 2019

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

$

149,954

$

78,206

Total assets

 

161,210

 

89,513

Total current liabilities

 

6,193

 

6,003

Total stockholders’ equity

 

150,323

 

78,046

KEZAR LIFE SCIENCES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited, In thousands except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2020

2019

2020

2019

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Operating expenses:

Research and development

$8,259

$7,080

$22,864

$19,932

General and administrative

3,292

2,601

9,018

7,413

Total operating expenses

11,551

9,681

31,882

27,345

Loss from operations

(11,551)

(9,681)

(31,882)

(27,345)

Interest income

262

533

1,081

1,837

Net loss

($11,289)

($9,148)

($30,801)

($25,508)

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted

($0.23)

($0.48)

($0.73)

($1.34)

Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per common share, basic and diluted

49,999,239

19,095,870

41,964,042

19,070,937

 

Contacts

Celia Economides

SVP, Strategy & External Affairs

IR@kezarbio.com

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