Cha Cha Yang's questions to NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS (NKTR) leadership • Q2 2025
Question
Cha Cha Yang from Jefferies requested updates on studies to understand the mechanism of injection site reactions (ISRs) and the strategies being developed to mitigate them for commercialization.
Answer
Chief Research & Development Officer Jonathan Zalevsky reported that studies using skin organoids confirm ISRs are a known IL-2 effect, and Nektar is identifying specific pathways for targeted mitigation. He also noted that the commercial launch will feature a prefilled syringe or auto-injector, which will standardize administration and is expected to reduce ISRs. CEO Howard Robin emphasized that ISRs are not a commercial barrier, citing low trial dropout rates and their mild, self-resolving nature, which he contrasted with more concerning side effects of competing drugs.