Yumanity Therapeutics

Yumanity Therapeutics was a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm focused on developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding. The company was established in late 2014 by Tony Coles, a seasoned biotech executive known for leading Onyx Pharmaceuticals, and Susan Lindquist, a renowned protein folding science pioneer from the Whitehead Institute. The founders' combined expertise in corporate management and protein research shaped the company's direction. Lindquist, who co-founded a previous successful biotech, FoldRx, brought deep scientific knowledge in protein misfolding, a key factor in diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Coles provided the extensive drug discovery and development experience.

Yumanity's core business was the discovery and development of small molecule drugs targeting the underlying causes of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Alzheimer's disease. Its business model centered on advancing proprietary drug candidates through clinical trials and forming strategic partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies for late-stage development and commercialization. A significant milestone was a research collaboration with Merck in 2020, focused on developing treatments for ALS and frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD), which included an upfront payment and potential milestones of around $500 million. The company utilized a proprietary discovery platform, originating from Lindquist's lab, that used yeast genetics and phenotypic screening to identify compounds that could correct the pathologies caused by misfolded proteins. This platform led to the identification of its lead drug candidate, YTX-7739, for Parkinson's disease, which entered Phase 1 clinical trials.

The company's journey included going public in December 2020 through a reverse merger with Proteostasis Therapeutics. However, Yumanity faced a significant setback in early 2022 when the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on its lead drug, YTX-7739. This event, coupled with financial pressures, led the company to explore strategic alternatives. In June 2022, Yumanity announced two key transactions: the sale of YTX-7739 and its unpartnered discovery-stage assets to Johnson & Johnson's Janssen division for $26 million, and a reverse merger with Kineta, Inc., a private immuno-oncology company. The merger was completed on December 19, 2022, with Kineta becoming the surviving public entity and shifting the focus to cancer immunotherapy, effectively concluding Yumanity's independent operations.

Keywords: Yumanity Therapeutics, neurodegenerative diseases, protein misfolding, drug discovery, Tony Coles, Susan Lindquist, Parkinson's disease treatment, YTX-7739, reverse merger, Kineta, Janssen, Merck collaboration, ALS research, FTLD, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical, stearoyl-CoA desaturase inhibitor, neuroscience assets, biotech M&A, Proteostasis Therapeutics, Whitehead Institute