Keythera Announces Positive Phase 2a Data for KF-0210, an Oral EP4 Antagonist Demonstrating Rapid and Deep Pain Relief in Knee Osteoarthritis, Presented as a Highest Rated Late-Breaking Abstract at OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis 2026
SUZHOU, China, April 27, 2026 — Keythera Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (“Keythera”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on innovative small molecules for inflammatory diseases and oncology, today announced positive results from an exploratory Phase 2a study of KF-0210, a first-in-class oral EP4 receptor antagonist, in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The data were presented as a podium presentation in the “Highest Rated Late-Breaking Abstracts” session at the OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis 2026.
KF-0210 achieved up to ~86.7% reduction in WOMAC pain scores at Week 3, with rapid onset observed as early as Day 8
In the study, KF-0210 demonstrated rapid and profound improvements across all WOMAC domains, including pain, stiffness, and physical function. At Week 3 (Day 22), mean WOMAC pain scores improved by approximately 76.6% and 86.7% in the 150 mg and 300 mg dose groups, respectively.
Clinically meaningful improvement was observed as early as Day 8, and the degree of relief continued to deepen by Day 22. Responder analysis further highlighted the magnitude of benefit, with a high proportion of patients achieving ≥50% and ≥75% improvements in pain scores.with continued deepening of response through Day 22. Responder analyses further highlighted the magnitude of benefit, with a high proportion of patients achieving ≥50% and ≥75% improvement in pain scores.“These results suggest that KF-0210 may achieve a magnitude and speed of pain relief that exceeds what is typically observed with current standard-of-care therapies such as NSAIDs,” said Dr. Yongqi Deng, CEO of Keythera. “We believe selective EP4 antagonism represents a differentiated mechanism that has the potential to break the long-standing efficacy ceiling in osteoarthritis treatment, while maintaining a favorable safety profile suitable for chronic use.”Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability worldwide, with current oral treatments such as NSAIDs generally providing modest efficacy, often associated with safety limitations in long-term use.KF-0210 was well tolerated across both dose levels, with no serious adverse events, no Grade 3 or higher events, and no treatment discontinuations observed in the study. Reported adverse events were predominantly mild to moderate and reversible.KF-0210 is a selective antagonist of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor EP4, a key mediator of inflammation and pain sensitization. Unlike COX-2 inhibitors, EP4 antagonism may preserve physiologically important prostaglandins, potentially enabling improved safety in chronic use settings.Keythera is advancing KF-0210 into a randomized, controlled Phase 2b study to further evaluate its efficacy and safety over a longer treatment duration and in comparison with active standard-of-care therapies.
About Keythera
Keythera Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing innovative small-molecule therapies for inflammatory diseases and cancer. The company leverages its proprietary platform technologies to advance a pipeline of differentiated programs addressing high unmet medical needs.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the development and potential of KF-0210. Actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties, including clinical development risks and regulatory considerations.
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