Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. KYMR reported a second-quarter 2026 loss of 62 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 64 cents. The company posted a loss of 95 cents in the year-ago period.
Revenues surged to $65 million from $11.5 million in the year-ago quarter and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $39 million.
Year to date, shares of KYMR have surged 35.6% compared to the industry’s 2.6% gain.
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KYMR's Collaboration Revenues Drive Top-Line Growth
All second-quarter revenues came from collaboration agreements. Kymera recognized a $45 million option exercise fee related to Gilead Sciences, Inc.’s GILD exclusive license for KT-200, its oral CDK2 molecular glue degrader candidate.
The company also recorded a $20 million milestone payment after Sanofi SNY initiated a phase I study of KT-485, an oral, potent and selective second generation IRAK4 degrader, in adult healthy volunteers and hidradenitis suppurativa patients.
Management said all deferred revenues have now been recognized. Consequently, Kymera does not expect additional revenues in 2026. Future collaboration revenues will depend on milestones achieved under the Gilead or Sanofi agreements in 2027 and beyond.
Kymera's R&D Spending Rises With Clinical Activity
Research and development expenses increased 52.4% year over year to $119.48 million. The increase reflected higher investments in the STAT6 program, platform and discovery programs, along with continued expansion of the R&D organization.
R&D expenses included $10.4 million of stock-based compensation. Excluding that noncash expense, adjusted cash R&D spending was $109.1 million.
General and administrative expenses rose 19.7% to $21.13 million. The increase was driven by higher legal and professional service costs, personnel expenses and facility-related spending.
Kymera Maintains Cash Runway Into 2029
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $1.50 billion as of June 30, 2026, compared with $1.62 billion at the end of 2025. Management maintained its expectation that available capital will fund operations into 2029.
The runway is expected to support completion of KT-621’s phase IIb studies in atopic dermatitis and asthma, as well as KT-579’s planned lupus proof-of-concept program. Kymera also expects to fund the initial stages of a phase III asthma study and most of the planned phase III atopic dermatitis study for KT-621.
Kymera Accelerates KT-621 Development Timeline
KT-621, an investigational once-daily oral STAT6 degrader, is being developed for type II inflammatory diseases.
Kymera completed enrollment in the BROADEN2 phase IIb study of KT-621 in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) nearly six months ahead of schedule. Top-line data are now expected by year-end 2026, six months earlier than the company’s previous target. Subject to regulatory discussions, phase III studies in atopic dermatitis are planned to begin by mid-2027.
The trial is evaluating three doses of the once-daily oral STAT6 degrader against placebo. Its primary endpoint is the percentage change from baseline in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score at week 16.
Enrollment is also underway in the BREADTH phase IIb study in patients with moderate-to-severe eosinophilic asthma. Kymera continues to expect top-line data in late 2027 and has initiated an open-label extension that permits eligible participants to receive KT-621 for up to 52 additional weeks.
KYMR Advances IRF5 and Partnered Programs
Beyond STAT6, Kymera is progressing KT-579, a first-in-class oral degrader of IRF5, a transcription factor positioned as a master regulator across autoimmune diseases.
Enrollment is ongoing in the phase I study of KT-579 in healthy volunteers, with data expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The study is assessing whether the oral IRF5 degrader can achieve more than 90% degradation in blood while maintaining a favorable safety profile.
Kymera plans to initiate a proof-of-concept study in lupus patients soon after completing the healthy-volunteer trial.
Update on KYMR’s Partnered Programs
Sanofi initiated the first-in-human phase I study evaluating KT-485 (SAR447971) in adult healthy volunteers and hidradenitis suppurativa patients. KT-485 has the potential to offer a novel oral approach for a variety of chronic immuno-inflammatory diseases. Under the agreement, Sanofi is responsible for the program's development, regulatory and commercialization activities.
In April 2026, Gilead Sciences exercised its option to exclusively license KT-200, Kymera's first-in-class oral CDK2 molecular glue degrader, triggering a $45 million milestone payment. KT-200 is being developed for breast cancer and other solid tumors and has the potential to improve the current standard of care. Gilead plans to advance the candidate into IND-enabling studies, with an IND filing targeted for 2027.
Our Take on KYMR’s Performance
Kymera put up an impressive performance in the second quarter. The pipeline progress is encouraging. R&D expenses continue to increase as the company advances its pipeline.
The investment thesis centers on pipeline execution in targeted protein degradation, led by KT-621 in phase II for AD and asthma. Additional positive pipeline updates on KT-621 will be a boost for the stock.
The pipeline offers additional opportunities beyond KT-621. Phase I data for the IRF5 degrader KT-579 is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by a planned proof-of-concept study in lupus.
Partnered programs with GILD and SNY also reduce some development burden while generating milestone-based revenues.
Kymera’s strong cash balance supports pipeline development and limits near-term financing pressure, although spending will increase as the company expands its clinical and commercial infrastructure.
KYMR’s Zacks Rank
Kymera Therapeutics currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
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