NKarta expects cash to fund operations into 2029

Nkarta, Inc. (Nasdaq: NKTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing engineered natural killer (NK) cell therapies for autoimmune diseases, reported that its cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $266.7 million as of March 31, 2026. Based on its current operating plan, the company expects these funds to support operations through 2029. This projection reflects continued cost management and disciplined execution of its clinical programs.

The company’s primary focus remains on advancing its lead candidate, NKX019, through its Ntrust-1 and Ntrust-2 clinical trials. These multi-center, open-label, dose-escalation studies are evaluating NKX019 in multiple autoimmune conditions, including systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus nephritis, and others. Patients are currently receiving a three-dose cycle of 4 billion cells each, totaling 12 billion cells per cycle. The company has also secured regulatory and IRB approvals to expand outpatient dosing and include rheumatoid arthritis in the Ntrust-2 trial.

Financially, Nkarta reported a net loss of $27.8 million for the first quarter of 2026, or $0.37 per basic and diluted share. Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter were $25.0 million, while G&A expenses totaled $5.9 million. Over the full year 2025, the company recorded a net loss of $104.1 million, with R&D and G&A expenses amounting to $90.4 million and $31.6 million, respectively.

Despite these losses, Nkarta has maintained a relatively stable cash balance, with $295.1 million in cash and equivalents as of December 31, 2025, and $316.5 million as of September 30, 2025. The company has also streamlined its clinical trial operations, including the use of a combined independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (iDSMB) to guide dose escalation decisions.

Looking ahead, Nkarta plans to present initial clinical data from its Ntrust-1 and Ntrust-2 trials at a medical conference in 2026. The company continues to refine its clinical strategy while maintaining a focus on cost efficiency and regulatory alignment to support long-term operational sustainability.