Keros Therapeutics (KROS) 2024 Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference summary

Program updates and clinical development

• Three clinical-stage product candidates are advancing: elritercept (KER-050) in MDS/MF, KER-012 in PAH, and a muscle-building agent in healthy volunteers.

• Elritercept is moving into a Phase III registration trial for MDS, with ongoing data readouts.

• KER-012 completed screening for its PAH Phase II trial, with data expected in Q2 2025.

• The muscle-building agent will have a Q1 2025 data readout, focusing on body composition changes.

• Multiple data readouts are anticipated over the next 9-12 months.

Differentiation and safety profile of KER-012

• KER-012 aims for maximum target engagement without increasing red blood cells, unlike sotatercept.

• Sotatercept’s mechanism leads to increased hemoglobin and associated risks, such as bleeding and hyperviscosity.

• KER-012 is designed to avoid these hematological adverse events, potentially offering a safer profile.

• Physicians are increasingly cautious with sotatercept due to emerging safety concerns and are monitoring patients more closely.

• Patient experiences and reports highlight bleeding risks with sotatercept, supporting the need for safer alternatives.

Efficacy and pharmacodynamics

• KER-012 achieves higher target engagement at comparable or lower doses than sotatercept.

• Both drugs show similar FSH reduction at high doses, but KER-012’s shorter half-life allows for more controlled cycling.

• Clinical trial designs for KER-012 closely mirror those of sotatercept, with similar inclusion/exclusion criteria and endpoints.

• Efficacy benchmarks include changes in pulmonary vascular resistance and six-minute walk test.

• KER-012 may offer greater convenience and safety, with potential for improved efficacy over time.