OSE Immunotherapeutics Showcases mRNA Therapy Data for Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disorders at FOCIS Meeting

OSE Immunotherapeutics recently showcased preclinical data on its mRNA therapeutic platform at the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) annual meeting in San Francisco. The event took place from June 18 to 21, 2024, and highlighted OSE's advancements in treating inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

The company's research focuses on IL-35 (Interleukin-35), an immunosuppressive cytokine known for its capability to significantly inhibit immune-related inflammation. IL-35 affects various immune cells, including T cells, Myeloid cells, and B cells. Preclinical studies have demonstrated IL-35's crucial role in managing immune-related disorders such as autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer. The primary objective of OSE's mRNA therapeutic platform is to deliver mRNA directly to inflammatory tissues using lipid nanoparticles. This approach aims to locally suppress immune responses, presenting a novel method for treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

The poster presented at the FOCIS meeting was titled "Local delivery of IL-35 mRNA therapeutic using lipid-based nanoparticles vector demonstrates high efficacy to suppress autoimmune Hepatitis." It revealed several key preclinical findings:
- The IL-35 mRNA therapy, facilitated by lipid nanoparticle vectors, achieves selective delivery and localized expression of IL-35 in the liver.
- The therapy effectively suppresses both acute and chronic autoimmune hepatitis inflammation in various mouse models by inhibiting T and B cell activation.
- Following the mRNA IL-35 treatment, specific inhibition of autoantibodies was observed in a chronic hepatitis inflammatory model.

Aurore Morello, Head of R&D at OSE Immunotherapeutics, expressed satisfaction with sharing their research on IL-35 mRNA therapy with the international scientific community for the first time. She emphasized the potential of this therapeutic approach in treating inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, particularly autoimmune hepatitis, a severe liver disease with significant unmet medical needs.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory condition of the liver, where the body's immune system attacks liver cells, leading to inflammation. If left untreated, AIH can result in liver scarring, cirrhosis, and eventually liver failure. The primary treatment involves high doses of corticosteroids or azathioprine, which carry specific risks due to long-term use. AIH is classified as an orphan disease, with only 10 to 40 percent of patients achieving remission. However, most patients (75 to 80 percent) experience a relapse within 6 to 12 months after stopping treatment, especially those who have cirrhosis at the initial diagnosis.

Epidemiological data indicate that the global incidence and prevalence of AIH are 1.28 cases per 100,000 inhabitant-years and 15.65 cases per 100,000 individuals, respectively. In the United States, approximately 60,000 to 70,000 adults have a history of AIH, with around 30,000 to 35,000 not responding to current first- and second-line treatments, necessitating new therapeutic options. In Europe, the incidence ranges from 1.1 to 2.56 per 100,000 individuals, with a prevalence of 17.3 to 18.3 per 100,000 individuals.

OSE Immunotherapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing first-in-class immunotherapies for immuno-oncology and immuno-inflammation. Their clinical pipeline includes multiple advanced products, such as Tedopi® for non-small cell lung cancer and OSE-279 for solid tumors. The company is also working on OSE-127 for ulcerative colitis, FR-104/VEL-101 for renal transplantation, and various other promising candidates through partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies.

Overall, OSE Immunotherapeutics is committed to advancing innovative therapeutic approaches that address significant unmet medical needs in the fields of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.