LEXINGTON, Mass., Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Keros Therapeutics, Inc. ("Keros" or "we") (Nasdaq: KROS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta ("TGF-ß") family of proteins, today announced that three abstracts will be presented from the KER-012 program at the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute ("PVRI") 2024 Annual Congress, to be held from January 31 through February 3, 2024.
Clinical Presentations
"Development of KER-012, a Novel Investigational Activin Receptor Type IIB Ligand Trap with High Activin/GDF Specificity and Target Engagement for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Rationale and Design of the TROPOS Phase 2 Study"
Presenter: Marc Humbert, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the Université Paris-Saclay
Date: February 2, 2024
Presentation Time: 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. GMT
"Administration of KER-012 to Healthy Post-Menopausal Women Elicited Biomarker Changes Suggesting Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Fibrotic Effects That Target the Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension"
Presenter: M. Kathryn Steiner, M.D., Keros
Date: February 2, 2024
Presentation Time: 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. GMT
Preclinical Presentation
"RKER-012, A Novel Modified ActRIIB Ligand Trap, Reduced Pulmonary Vascular Pathology in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension"
Presenter: Keith Babbs, Ph.D., Keros
Date: February 2, 2024
Presentation Time: 4:20 p.m. GMT
About TROPOS
TROPOS is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate KER-012 in combination with background therapy in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension ("PAH"). The primary objective of this trial is to evaluate the effect of KER-012 on pulmonary hemodynamics compared to placebo in participants on background PAH therapy. The key secondary objective of this trial is to evaluate the effect of KER-012 on exercise capacity compared to placebo on participants on background PAH therapy.
About KER-012
KER-012 is designed to bind to and inhibit the signaling of TGF-β ligands that stimulate smooth muscle hypertrophy and fibrosis, including activin A, activin B and myostatin. Keros believes that KER-012 has the potential to increase the signaling of bone morphogenic protein ("BMP") pathways through this inhibition of activin A and activin B signaling, and consequently treat diseases such as PAH that are associated with reduced BMP signaling due to inactivating mutations in the BMP receptors. KER-012 is being developed for the treatment of PAH and for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
About Keros Therapeutics, Inc.
Keros is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the TGF-ß family of proteins. We are a leader in understanding the role of the TGF-ß family of proteins, which are master regulators of the growth, repair and maintenance of blood cells and a number of tissues, including bone, skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissue. By leveraging this understanding, we have discovered and are developing large and small molecules that have the potential to provide meaningful and potentially disease-modifying benefit to patients. Keros' lead protein therapeutic product candidate, KER-050 (elritercept), is being developed for the treatment of low blood cell counts, or cytopenias, including anemia and thrombocytopenia, in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and in patients with myelofibrosis. Keros' second product candidate, KER-012, is being developed for the treatment of PAH and for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Keros' third product candidate, KER-065, is being developed for the treatment of obesity and for the treatment of neuromuscular diseases.
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as "would" and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: Keros' presentation plans for the upcoming PVRI 2024 Annual Congress. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Keros' limited operating history and historical losses; Keros' ability to raise additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of its product candidates; Keros' dependence on the success of its product candidates, KER-050, KER-012 and KER-065; that Keros may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing any clinical trials; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; Keros' ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; and Keros' dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, clinical trials and preclinical studies.
These and other risks are described more fully in Keros' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the "Risk Factors" section of Keros' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2023, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Keros undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
