Nektar Therapeutics has entered into an academic research collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and leading neuroimmunologist Stephen L. Hauser to investigate the therapeutic potential of NKTR-0165 in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

NKTR-0165 is a novel, first-in-class tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) agonist antibody. TNFR2 signaling plays a critical role in regulating inflammation and deficits in this pathway have been linked to a range of autoimmune diseases. The receptor is highly expressed on regulatory T cells, endothelial cells and neuronal cells, key players in the development and progression of MS.

Under the collaboration, researchers at UCSF will evaluate the role of TNFR2 agonism in reducing neurodegeneration and promoting neuroprotection and cellular repair, particularly in models where neurons are exposed to patient-derived B cells. The research will be led by Dr. Hauser and postdoctoral researcher Dr. Chaitrali Saha. UCSF will conduct and fund the studies, while Nektar will supply NKTR-0165 and retain full rights to its development programmes.

Company officials said the partnership aims to expand understanding of TNFR2 biology and its potential application in treating MS and other neurological disorders.

Dr. Hauser, Director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, is recognised for his work in multiple sclerosis. In 2025, he received the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for identifying key mechanisms underlying MS, work that contributed to the development of multiple FDA-approved therapies, including B-cell-targeted treatments.

The collaboration underscores continued efforts to develop innovative immunological approaches that may address both inflammatory and neurodegenerative components of multiple sclerosis.