Keros Therapeutics Halts Pulmonary Hypertension Drug After Safety Issues, Cuts 45% of Workforce

Keros Therapeutics is discontinuing development of its pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) drug candidate, cibotercept, following safety concerns, specifically cases of pericardial effusion (fluid buildup around the heart) observed during a midphase clinical trial1 2.

The company is laying off approximately 45% of its workforce—about 70 employees—leaving 85 full-time staff remaining after the cuts1 2 4.

These layoffs will commence after a 60-day notice period, as required by law, and are expected to save the company around $17 million annually1 2.

Cibotercept, a TGF-β inhibitor, may be considered for other indications, such as osteoporosis, as Keros undertakes a broader strategic review of its development pipeline1 2.

The halt in the drug’s development and the workforce reduction reflect an ongoing trend in the biotech industry, which has recently seen similar cost-cutting measures amid clinical and financial challenges3 4 5.