Keros to Exclusively Prioritize the Clinical Advancement of KER-065
Keros Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KROS) announced a major strategic realignment to focus exclusively on advancing KER-065, their lead clinical program for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The company is discontinuing development of cibotercept (KER-012), following its previously terminated Phase 2 TROPOS trial in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Significant leadership changes include CEO Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D. assuming the additional role of President, while stepping down as Board Chair. Jean-Jacques Bienaimé has been appointed as the new Board Chair, and Lorena Lerner, Ph.D. has been promoted to Chief Scientific Officer. The company plans to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial of KER-065 in DMD patients in Q1 2026, following positive Phase 1 results in healthy volunteers.
Keros Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KROS) ha annunciato un'importante riorganizzazione strategica per concentrarsi esclusivamente sull'avanzamento di KER-065, il loro principale programma clinico per la distrofia muscolare di Duchenne (DMD). L'azienda interrompe lo sviluppo di cibotercept (KER-012), dopo la conclusione anticipata dello studio di Fase 2 TROPOS sulla ipertensione arteriosa polmonare.
Tra i cambiamenti significativi nella leadership, il CEO Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D. assume anche il ruolo di Presidente, lasciando la carica di Presidente del Consiglio di Amministrazione. Jean-Jacques Bienaimé è stato nominato nuovo Presidente del Consiglio, mentre Lorena Lerner, Ph.D. è stata promossa a Chief Scientific Officer. L'azienda prevede di avviare una trial clinica di Fase 2 di KER-065 in pazienti con DMD nel primo trimestre del 2026, a seguito di risultati positivi della Fase 1 su volontari sani.
Keros Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KROS) anunció una importante realineación estratégica para enfocarse exclusivamente en avanzar con KER-065, su programa clínico principal para la distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD). La compañía está discontinuando el desarrollo de cibotercept (KER-012), tras la finalización anticipada del ensayo de Fase 2 TROPOS en hipertensión arterial pulmonar.
Los cambios significativos en el liderazgo incluyen que el CEO Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D. asume también el rol de Presidente, mientras renuncia a la presidencia de la Junta Directiva. Jean-Jacques Bienaimé ha sido nombrado nuevo Presidente de la Junta, y Lorena Lerner, Ph.D. ha sido promovida a Directora Científica. La compañía planea iniciar un ensayo clínico de Fase 2 de KER-065 en pacientes con DMD en el primer trimestre de 2026, tras resultados positivos de la Fase 1 en voluntarios sanos.
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중요� 리더� 변화로� CEO Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D.가 이사� 의장직에� 물러나면� 사장직을 추가� 맡았습니�. Jean-Jacques Bienaimé가 � 이사� 의장으로 임명되었으며, Lorena Lerner, Ph.D.� 최고과학책임�(CSO)� 승진했습니다. 회사� 2026� 1분기� 건강� 지원자에서 긍정적인 1� 결과� 바탕으로 DMD 환자� 대상으� 하는 2� 임상시험� 시작� 계획입니�.
Keros Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KROS) a annoncé une réorientation stratégique majeure pour se concentrer exclusivement sur l'avancement de KER-065, leur programme clinique principal pour la dystrophie musculaire de Duchenne (DMD). La société cesse le développement de ciboterept (KER-012), suite à l'arrêt anticipé de l'essai de Phase 2 TROPOS dans l'hypertension artérielle pulmonaire.
Parmi les changements importants au sein de la direction, le CEO Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D. assume également le rôle de Président, tout en quittant la présidence du conseil d'administration. Jean-Jacques Bienaimé a été nommé nouveau président du conseil, et Lorena Lerner, Ph.D. a été promue directrice scientifique. La société prévoit de lancer un essai clinique de Phase 2 de KER-065 chez des patients atteints de DMD au premier trimestre 2026, suite aux résultats positifs de la Phase 1 chez des volontaires sains.
Keros Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KROS) hat eine bedeutende strategische Neuausrichtung angekündigt, um sich ausschließlich auf die Weiterentwicklung von KER-065, ihrem führenden klinischen Programm für Duchenne-Muskeldystrophie (DMD), zu konzentrieren. Das Unternehmen stellt die Entwicklung von Cibotercept (KER-012) ein, nachdem die Phase-2-TROPOS-Studie zur pulmonalen arteriellen Hypertonie vorzeitig beendet wurde.
Wesentliche Führungsänderungen umfassen, dass CEO Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D. zusätzlich die Rolle des Präsidenten übernimmt und gleichzeitig als Vorstandsvorsitzender zurücktritt. Jean-Jacques Bienaimé wurde zum neuen Vorstandsvorsitzenden ernannt, und Lorena Lerner, Ph.D. wurde zur Chief Scientific Officer befördert. Das Unternehmen plant, im ersten Quartal 2026 eine Phase-2-Studie mit KER-065 bei DMD-Patienten zu starten, nachdem positive Phase-1-Ergebnisse bei gesunden Probanden erzielt wurden.
- Positive Phase 1 results for KER-065 in healthy volunteers, achieving key safety and efficacy objectives
- Streamlined operational structure focusing resources on most promising asset
- Planned advancement to Phase 2 clinical trial for KER-065 in DMD patients by Q1 2026
- Discontinuation of cibotercept (KER-012) development program
- Multiple senior leadership departures including President/COO Christopher Rovaldi
- Elimination of several senior vice president positions
Insights
Keros' discontinuation of cibotercept program and focus on KER-065 for DMD represents significant strategic narrowing with mixed investment implications.
Keros Therapeutics has announced a major strategic pivot, discontinuing all material development of cibotercept (KER-012) to focus exclusively on KER-065 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This follows the termination of cibotercept's development for pulmonary arterial hypertension after what appears to be disappointing results from the TROPOS Phase 2 trial announced in May.
This decision represents a significant narrowing of the company's pipeline to become essentially a single-asset biotech focused on KER-065. The company completed a Phase 1 trial of KER-065 in healthy volunteers with positive safety and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic results, planning to advance to Phase 2 trials in DMD patients by Q1 2026.
The strategic realignment comes with substantial leadership restructuring, including the CEO taking on the additional role of President, the Lead Independent Director becoming Board Chair, the departure of the President/COO, and the elimination of several senior vice president positions. These changes clearly signal cost-cutting measures designed to extend runway while focusing resources on the single remaining clinical program.
From an investment perspective, this restructuring presents a mixed outlook. On one hand, focusing resources on the most promising program could extend cash runway and potentially increase odds of success for KER-065. On the other hand, the discontinuation of cibotercept removes a significant component of Keros' pipeline diversity, substantially increasing the company's risk profile by putting all resources behind a single asset in DMD, a notoriously challenging therapeutic area with high historical failure rates.
The timing of the next clinical milestone (Phase 2 initiation in Q1 2026) indicates a significant waiting period for investors before meaningful new clinical data emerges. During this period, the company will need to demonstrate efficient capital allocation and continued progress with its now singular focus.
Company Discontinuing Development of Cibotercept (KER-012)
Announces Board and Leadership Changes Designed to Support Streamlined Operational Structure
and Strategic AG˹ٷignment
LEXINGTON, Mass., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Keros Therapeutics, Inc. (“Keros�) (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 a strategic realignment designed to reallocate resources towards the development of its key clinical program, KER-065.
As part of this initiative, the Company will discontinue all material, internal development activities related to cibotercept. This decision comes after the termination of the development of cibotercept in pulmonary arterial hypertension (“PAH�), following the analysis of all available safety and efficacy data from the TROPOS Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with PAH, which was previously announced on May 29, 2025.
Keros also today announced several Board of Directors (the “Board�) and leadership transitions intended to support the Company’s streamlined vision and operational focus. These actions reflect Keros� confidence in the therapeutic potential of KER-065 and will better enable the Company to achieve its mission of delivering meaningful and potentially disease-modifying benefits to patients.
“In line with Keros� commitment to delivering value for stockholders and patients, we have made the decision to streamline our operations and focus exclusively on advancing KER-065, an asset we believe has therapeutic potential for individuals living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (“DMD�),� said Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Keros Therapeutics. “By prioritizing our most promising clinical program, we expect Keros to operate with greater precision and urgency to unlock additional value for stockholders. With a refined strategy, streamlined leadership and a strong clinical foundation, we believe we are well-positioned to initiate the next phase of clinical development for KER-065.�
The Company previously announced initial topline results from the Phase 1 clinical trial of KER-065 in healthy volunteers, with the trial achieving key objectives for safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The Company believes that the robust data supports the advancement of the program into a Phase 2 clinical trial of KER-065 in patients with DMD, which the Company expects to initiate in the first quarter of 2026, subject to positive regulatory interaction.
Board and Leadership Changes
To support Keros� strategic realignment, the Company is undergoing the following Board and leadership transitions:
- Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, will assume the additional role of President, effective August 18, 2025. In this capacity, Dr. Seehra will continue to oversee the execution of Keros� strategy and be deeply engaged in the day-to-day operations and scientific advancement of KER-065. At the same time, Dr. Seehra will step down as Chair of Keros� Board and continue as a director of the Company.
- Jean-Jacques Bienaimé, Keros� Lead Independent Director, has been appointed as Chair of the Board, effective August 18, 2025. With his proven track record of leadership, as well as his deep familiarity with Keros� Board and pipeline as Lead Independent Director, Mr. Bienaimé will play a critical oversight role as the Company advances its pipeline into later stage development.
- Christopher Rovaldi, President and Chief Operating Officer, will cease his employment with Keros, effective August 18, 2025.
- Lorena Lerner, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research, is being promoted to Chief Scientific Officer, effective August 6, 2025.
- Given the Company’s streamlined operational structure and single-asset focus, certain senior vice president roles will be eliminated.
Dr. Seehra continued, “The Company is immensely grateful to Chris and other senior management members for their contributions to Keros. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.�
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results
In a separate press release issued today, the Company announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. The press release can be accessed on the Investors & Media page of Keros� website.
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. Keros is a leader in understanding the role of the TGF-ß family of proteins, which are master regulators of the growth, repair and maintenance of a number of tissues, including blood, bone, skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissue. By leveraging this understanding, Keros has discovered and is developing protein therapeutics that have the potential to provide meaningful and potentially disease-modifying benefit to patients. Keros� lead product candidate, KER-065, is being developed for the treatment of neuromuscular diseases, with an initial focus on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Keros� most advanced product candidate, elritercept, is being developed for the treatment of cytopenias, including anemia and thrombocytopenia, in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and in patients with myelofibrosis.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
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 “anticipates,� “believes,� “continue,� “expects,� “enable,� “intention,� “potential� and “will� or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: Keros� expectations regarding its strategy, progress and timing of its clinical trials for KER-065, including its regulatory plans; the therapeutic potential of KER-065; and timing of and any potential benefits from the Board and leadership transitions and strategic realignment. 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-065 and elritercept; 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 (the “SEC�), including the “Risk Factors� section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2025, 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.
Contacts
Investor Contact:
Justin Frantz
[email protected]
617-221-6042
Media Contact:
Mahmoud Siddig / Adam Pollack / Viveca Tress
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449
