What does Cytokinetics do?

Cytokinetics is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 1997. The company specializes in discovering, developing, and commercializing muscle activators and inhibitors aimed at treating cardiovascular and neuromuscular diseases that affect muscle function. With a strong foundation in muscle biology, Cytokinetics has shifted its focus exclusively to this area since 2008, building on over 25 years of research and innovation. The company develops small-molecule drug candidates, including first-in-class muscle activators and next-in-class muscle inhibitors. Key products in its pipeline include omecamtiv mecarbil, a cardiac myosin activator in Phase III trials for heart failure, and aficamten, an oral cardiac myosin inhibitor also in Phase III trials for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Additionally, reldesemtiv is a fast skeletal muscle troponin activator in Phase III trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cytokinetics collaborates with Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals for the development and commercialization of aficamten in Japan, focusing on enhancing muscle strength and performance for patients with muscle-related conditions.