Jasper Therapeutics Shares Briquilimab Preclinical Study Data at 2024 EHA Congress

Jasper Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Redwood City, California, is making strides in the development of briquilimab, an innovative antibody therapy aimed at targeting c-Kit (CD117) to treat mast cell-driven diseases such as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU), and asthma. On June 14, 2024, at the European Hematology Association (EHA) Hybrid Congress in Madrid, Spain, Jasper revealed preclinical data showcasing the effects of briquilimab on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

The study presented by Jasper Therapeutics delved into the molecular mechanisms by which briquilimab inhibits the stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit signaling pathway and its consequent effects on the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of healthy human HSCs. The findings indicate that while briquilimab effectively blocks SCF/c-Kit signaling, it does not induce apoptosis in HSCs. Instead, HSCs cultured with briquilimab transition directly into CD34- cells with increased c-Kit expression and without a rise in CD38 expression.

Dr. Wendy Pang, Senior Vice President of Research and Translational Medicine at Jasper, emphasized the significance of these findings. According to Dr. Pang, "The data suggest that while briquilimab induces apoptosis in mast cells, it does not adversely affect healthy HSCs. Rather, it promotes an alternative HSC differentiation pathway." This insight aligns with existing clinical data on anti-c-Kit agents, bolstering the safety profile of briquilimab for treating mast cell diseases.

The presented study, titled "Briquilimab Potently Inhibits SCF/c-Kit Signaling, Which Does Not Induce Healthy HSC Apoptosis, But Skews HSC Differentiation Potential" (Abstract Number: P1391), was displayed in a poster session at the EHA Congress. The presentation is accessible on both the EHA website and Jasper Therapeutics' investor relations page.

Briquilimab, formerly known as JSP191, is a targeted monoclonal antibody that prevents the binding of stem cell factor to the c-Kit receptor. This inhibition disrupts the survival signals for mast cells, leading to their depletion through apoptosis. This mechanism is crucial for addressing the root cause of inflammation in mast cell-related diseases, including chronic urticaria. Jasper is currently conducting clinical trials to evaluate briquilimab's efficacy in treating CSU, CIndU, and asthma. Additionally, clinical investigations are underway to assess its potential in treating lower to intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) and as a conditioning agent for cell therapies in rare diseases.

To date, briquilimab has demonstrated a favorable safety and efficacy profile in over 145 participants and healthy volunteers. It has shown clinical benefits as a conditioning agent for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), MDS, Fanconi anemia (FA), and sickle cell disease (SCD).

Jasper Therapeutics, with its focus on developing briquilimab, strives to provide innovative solutions for chronic mast cell and stem cell diseases. The company's ongoing research and clinical trials aim to validate the therapeutic potential of briquilimab and expand its applications to address a broader range of medical conditions.