Gilead Sciences has exercised its option to exclusively license KT-200, an oral CDK2 molecular glue degrader development candidate from Kymera Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: KYMR), triggering a $45 million milestone payment to Kymera.

Under the strategic collaboration agreement, Gilead will advance KT-200 into IND-enabling studies to support an investigational new drug filing in 2027. The compound targets CDK2, a protein that drives tumor growth in certain cancers, particularly those with CCNE1 amplification and overexpression.

KT-200 represents a molecular glue degrader approach designed to selectively remove CDK2 rather than inhibiting its function while sparing other CDK family proteins. In preclinical testing, the compound demonstrated low-nanomolar degradation of CDK2 and activity in CCNE1 amplified cell lines and tumor models.

"KT-200 is expected to be the first molecular glue discovered by Kymera to enter the clinic," said Nello Mainolfi, founder, president and CEO of Kymera Therapeutics.

The collaboration agreement provides Kymera with eligibility for up to $750 million in total payments. To date, the company has received $85 million in upfront and option exercise payments. Kymera may also receive tiered royalties ranging from high single-digit to mid-teens on net product sales. Gilead holds global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize products from the collaboration.

Watertown, Massachusetts-based Kymera focuses on targeted protein degradation to develop medicines for immunological diseases and cancer. The company advanced its first degrader into clinical trials for immunological diseases.