Kineta Announces Regulatory Clearance to Initiate a Phase 1 Clinical Trial for ShK-186

Kineta Announces Regulatory Clearance to Initiate a Phase 1 Clinical Trial for ShK-186

<0> Kineta, Inc.Meg O’Conor, Investor Relations Director, 206-251-8638 </0>

Seattle-based biotech company Kineta, Inc. announced today it has received regulatory clearance in the Netherlands to initiate a first-in-human trial of ShK-186, an autoimmune drug candidate that specifically inhibits the Kv1.3 potassium ion channel. Kineta’s program is the first Kv1.3-specific inhibitor advanced into the clinic, a key milestone in the industry’s race to develop an immune-sparing therapy for a spectrum of diseases that includes Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Lupus (SLE).

Kv1.3 has been a target of industry efforts for its role in instigating activation of effector memory T-cells, which are major mediators of autoimmune disease. Kineta scientific advisor and University of California, Irvine Professor, K. George Chandy M.D., Ph.D. and his collaborators discovered the Kv1.3 channel, and invented ShK-186 by modifying natural sea anemone-derived peptide inhibitors of Kv1.3. By selectively blocking the Kv1.3 channel, ShK-186 can reduce disease symptoms and pathology in animal models of MS, RA, and SLE without broadly suppressing the immune system.

Dr. Tim Coetzee, Chief Research Officer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an early supporter of Dr. Chandy’s innovative research, commented, “It is particularly gratifying to see research supported by the Society progress to this exciting stage. There is a clear, unmet medical need for new therapies to treat MS that have novel mechanisms of action and may offer freedom from the side effects that accompany broad suppression of the immune system.”

This initial Phase 1a trial aims to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a single dose of ShK-186 in up to 60 healthy volunteers. For more information on today’s announcement or to schedule interviews with, Meg O’Conor, Investor Relations Director, , 206-251-8638

is a Seattle-based privately held biotechnology company specializing in clinical advancement of immunotherapeutic drug candidates. Our world class scientists are pioneers in developing life-changing classes of drugs that harness the power of the immune system to fight disease. Kineta seeks to improve the lives of millions of people suffering from autoimmune and viral diseases. Our progressive business model focuses on targeting unmet medical needs and rapid achievement of important clinical milestones. For more information on Kineta, Inc. visit our website,

NOTICE:

This document contains certain forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding Kineta’s plans for clinical studies. You are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties inherent in Kineta’s business which could significantly affect expected results, including without limitation progress of drug development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Kineta undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the issuance of this press release.