FDA grants ODD to Keros KER-065 for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

KER-065 is a novel ligand trap comprised of a modified ligand-binding domain derived from activin receptor type IIA and activin receptor type IIB

Keros Therapeutics, 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, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug designation for KER-065 for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

“Receiving Orphan Drug designation for KER-065 highlights the significant unmet medical need for patients with DMD,” said Jasbir S. Seehra, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This designation serves as a significant milestone for Keros as we advance KER-065 into a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with DMD.”

The FDA grants Orphan Drug designation to investigational therapies addressing rare medical diseases or conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. This designation provides certain potential benefits, including tax credits for qualified clinical testing, waiver or partial payment of FDA application fees and seven years of market exclusivity, if approved.