For the second time in just under a year, Nektar Therapeutics is restructuring, this time reducing headcount roughly 60% to about 55 people at its San Francisco headquarters, putting internal R&D emphasis on immunology and seeking to partner out its lead cancer candidate, the Phase II interleukin-15 (IL-15) receptor agonist NKTR-255. The biotech said on 17 April that it will prioritize development of IL-2-targeted rezpegaldesleukin (rezpeg) in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions regardless of whether partner Eli Lilly and Company continues its participation.
Nektar Restructures A Second Time, Focusing Squarely On Immunology
A year after reducing headcount by 70%, Nektar is trimming another 60% and looking to partner out cancer candidate NKTR-255 to focus on rezpeg for atopic dermatitis, with or without Lilly’s help.
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