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Nektar Therapeutics Announces Research Collaboration with UCSF and Dr. Stephen Hauser for NKTR-0165, a Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 (TNFR2) Antibody, in Multiple Sclerosis
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) today announced an academic research collaboration with the University of
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[{"type":"text","content":"SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) today announced an academic research collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Stephen L. Hauser, M.D., Robert A. Fishman Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. Dr. Hauser is a neuroimmunologist whose research work has played a pivotal role in transforming the treatment landscape for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNKTR-0165 is a novel, first-in-class tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) agonist antibody. TNFR2 signaling is an important gatekeeper of inflammation and its absence or deficit is associated with a broad range of autoimmune diseases. TNFR2 is highly expressed on regulatory T cells (Tregs), endothelial cells, and neuronal cells, many of which are involved in the pathogenesis of MS.1\"We are privileged to partner with Dr. Hauser on this important research initiative to explore the role of TNFR2 agonism in several models of MS,\" said Jonathan Zalevsky, Ph.D., Chief Research and Development Officer of Nektar. \"Dr. Hauser is a renowned and pioneering researcher in the field and his work has led to therapeutic approaches from cytokines to B-cell depleting agents that have transformed MS treatment.\"The collaboration with UCSF will explore the potential role of TNFR2 agonism in the reduction of neurodegeneration and promotion of neuroprotection and cell repair when neurons are exposed to patient-derived B cells. Led by Dr. Hauser and his postdoctoral researcher Dr. Chaitrali Saha, the team at UCSF will conduct and fund all research efforts. Nektar will supply NKTR-0165 and will retain all rights to its programs under the collaboration.\"We know that TNFR2 is expressed on specific immune and CNS cells,\" said Dr. Hauser. \"With this important research initiative, we hope to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect associated with the agonism of this receptor for treating both MS and other neurological conditions.\"In 2025, Stephen L. Hauser, M.D. won the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his work in identifying the direct cause of multiple sclerosis, which led to multiple new FDA approved therapies. As Director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, he leads research initiatives that link clinical and bas...