BAFF-R

UCB and Biogen reported encouraging topline findings from the Phase III PHOENYCS GO trial, which assessed dapirolizumab pegol, a novel Fc-free anti-CD40L drug candidate, in individuals with moderate-to-severe SLE. The promising outcomes with dapirolizumab pegol signify significant advancements in creating treatments that can enhance the quality of life for individuals with lupus, a condition that continues to have considerable unmet medical needs, particularly impacting women. LAS VEGAS, Oct. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Systemic lupus erythematosus is a long-lasting autoimmune disorder that can impact various areas of the body. Lupus arises when the immune system, typically responsible for defending against infections and illnesses, mistakenly targets the body's own tissues. This misguided response leads to inflammation and, in some instances, lasting damage to tissues, potentially affecting a wide range of organs including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, blood cells, and brain. As per the estimates, the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in the United States is approximately 500K cases in 2023. In females, prevalence rates are observed to be much greater than that of males, constituting more than 90% of the total prevalent cases in the US. In 2023, among the treated SLE patients, nearly 40% of patients became relapsed or refractory after the first line of therapy. The main goals of SLE treatment are to alleviate symptoms, prevent or reduce organ damage and disease flare-ups, minimize drug toxicity, and improve the patient's overall quality of life. The SLE treatment plan primarily includes antimalarial medications (like hydroxychloroquine), glucocorticoids (such as prednisone or similar), immunosuppressive drugs (including methotrexate, azathioprine, or mycophenolate), and biologics, in addition to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for managing inflammation and pain. Biologics are specifically used for patients who do not respond to standard treatments or for those with severe, organ-threatening diseases. Currently, the biologics approved by the US FDA as adjunct therapies for SLE patients are BENLYSTA and SAPHNELO. In contrast, the use of rituximab for treating SLE is considered off-label. Learn more about the FDA-approved SLE drugs @ Drugs for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment BENLYSTA (belimumab) is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits BLyS (B-lymphocyte stimulator), a protein found at elevated levels in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. By binding to soluble BLyS, BENLYSTA prevents the prolonged survival of B cells, including autoreactive B cells, and reduces their differentiation into plasma cells that produce immunoglobulins. However, BENLYSTA does not directly bind to B cells. First approved by the US FDA in 2011, it is the only biologic therapy approved for the treatment of active SLE and LN in more than 50 years, including for pediatric patients. SAPHNELO (anifrolumab) is a fully human monoclonal antibody and the first of its kind, targeting subunit 1 of the type I interferon (IFN) receptor to inhibit type I IFN activity. Type I IFNs, including IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, and IFN-kappa, are cytokines that play a role in the inflammatory pathways associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Most adults with SLE exhibit increased type I IFN signaling, which correlates with greater disease activity and severity. SAPHNELO has been approved for the treatment of SLE in over 60 countries, including the US, EU, and Japan, with ongoing reviews in additional regions. To know more about SLE treatment options, visit @ New Treatment for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE pipeline possesses some drugs in mid and late-stage developments to be approved in the near future. The emerging landscape holds a diverse range of therapeutic alternatives for treatment, including Litifilimab (Biogen), Ianalumab (Novartis), Cenerimod (Idorsia/Viatris), Dapirolizumab pegol (UCB/Biogen), Telitacicept (RC18) (RemeGen), and others in different lines of treatment. The expected launch of these therapies shall further create a positive impact on the market. Discover which therapies are expected to grab major SLE market share @ Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Market Report Dapirolizumab pegol is a novel investigational treatment, consisting of a humanized, Fc-free antigen-binding (Fab') fragment conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). It works by inhibiting CD40L signaling, which has been shown to reduce B cell activation, decrease autoantibody production, limit type 1 interferon (IFN) secretion, and suppress the activation of T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In September 2024, UCB and Biogen announced that the Phase III PHOENYCS GO trial achieved its primary goal, showing clinical improvements in patients with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus. Additionally, key secondary endpoints, assessing disease activity and flare-ups, also demonstrated clinical improvements. Following the positive results from the PHOENYCS GO study, UCB and Biogen are launching a second Phase 3 trial of dapirolizumab pegol in 2024, named PHOENYCS FLY. Participants from the PHOENYCS GO study will continue to be monitored in a long-term open-label extension. Biogen is working on developing Litifilimab (BIIB059), an experimental humanized monoclonal antibody. This antibody specifically targets and binds to blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (BDCA2), a receptor found on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). When BDCA2 is engaged, it inhibits the production of type I interferons (IFN-I) and other inflammatory molecules. BDCA2 is exclusively expressed on the surface of human pDCs. Litifilimab acts as an inhibitor of B-cell lymphocyte stimulator. Currently, Biogen is conducting Phase III clinical trials to evaluate its use for treating SLE. Ianalumab, developed by Novartis, is an antibody aimed at the B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R). It is designed to inhibit BAFF-R signaling and deplete B cells through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The drug is currently undergoing a Phase III clinical trial for systemic lupus erythematosus, with the company expecting to submit it for approval by 2027, according to a recent presentation. Cenerimod is an oral, once-daily tablet that acts as a highly selective modulator of the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1). Although the exact cause of systemic lupus erythematosus is not fully understood, T and B lymphocytes are believed to be the primary immune cells involved in the disease's progression. These cells express the S1P1 receptor on their surface. In February 2024, Idorsia Pharmaceuticals formed a major global research and development partnership with Viatris to advance and commercialize two Phase III assets, selatogrel and cenerimod, on a global scale. Discover more about drugs for SLE in development @ Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Clinical Trials The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies for SLE are poised to transform the market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the SLE market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. DelveInsight estimates that the market size for SLE is expected to grow from USD 3.2 billion in 2023 with a significant CAGR by 2034. This growth is mainly driven by ongoing clinical research and better diagnostic tools that might improve the prognosis of the disease. DelveInsight's latest published market report titled as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 will help you to discover which market leader is going to capture the largest market share. The report provides comprehensive insights into the SLE country-specific treatment guidelines, patient pool analysis, and epidemiology forecast to help understand the key opportunities and assess the market's underlying potential. The SLE market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020–2034 in the 7MM segmented into: Total SLE Diagnosed Prevalent Cases Total SLE Diagnosed Prevalent Cases by Gender Total SLE Diagnosed Prevalent Cases by Age SLE Severity-Based Diagnosed Prevalent Cases Total SLE Treated Cases The report provides an edge while developing business strategies by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7MM SLE market. Highlights include: 11-year Forecast 7MM Analysis Epidemiology-based Market Forecasting Historical and Forecasted Market Analysis upto 2034 Emerging Drug Market Uptake Peak Sales Analysis Key Cross Competition Analysis Industry Expert's Opinion Access and Reimbursement Download this SLE market report to assess the epidemiology forecasts, understand the patient journeys, know KOLs' opinions about the upcoming treatment paradigms, and determine the factors contributing to the shift in the SLE market. Also, stay abreast of the mitigating factors to improve your market position in the SLE therapeutic space. Related Reports Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pipeline Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pipeline Insight – 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key myasthenia gravis companies, including Yake Biotechnology, UCB, Sorrento Therapeutics, SinoMab Bioscience Ltd, Shanghai Junshi Biosciences, Sareum, Sanofi, Roche, Rheos Medicine, Resolve, Provention Bio, Pfizer, Novartis, Neovacs, Merck, Medsenic, Landos Biopharma, Kezar Life Sciences, Kangpu Biopharmaceuticals, Janssen Research & Development, Janssen, InnoCare, ImmuPharma, I-MAB Biopharma, ILTOO, Idorsia Pharmaceuticals, Horizon Therapeutics, Genovax, Exinda Thearapeutics, Equillium, Eli Lilly and Company, Eisai, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Corestem, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Citryll BV, Chipscreen Biosciences, Carna Bioscience, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Brickell Biotech, Boston Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Athos Therapeutics, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Aria Pharmaceuticals, Antengene Therapeutics, Amgen, Alpine Immune Sciences, Akeso Biopharma, AbbVie, among others. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Epidemiology Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Epidemiology Forecast – 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical, and forecasted SLE epidemiology in the 7MM. Lupus Nephritis Market Lupus Nephritis Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key lupus nephritis companies, including NOVARTIS, MORPHOSYS, ASTRAZENECA, ROCHE, KEZAR LIFE SCIENCES, ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, NOVARTIS, CABALETTA BIO, among others. Lupus Nephritis Pipeline Lupus Nephritis Pipeline Insight – 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key lupus nephritis companies, including Inflection Biosciences, Equillium, Roche, Horizon Therapeutics, BeiGene, Janssen Research & Development, ImmPACT Bio, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve . 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NANJING, China, June 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the recent European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Congress in Vienna, Austria, Nanjing Leads Biolabs Co., Ltd. (Leads Biolabs) delivered an oral presentation on its highly innovative therapeutic candidate LBL-047. LBL-047 is a first-in-class, long-acting TACI/BDCA2 bispecific antibody fusion protein. LBL-047 is composed of a Transmembrane Activator and a Calcium Modulator and Cyclophilin Ligand Interactor (TACI) domain fused to an antibody targeting Blood Dendritic Cell Antigen 2 (BDCA2). The bispecific antibody is further modified with the YTE mutation on the Fc region to prolong the half-life in circulation, thereby, enabling less frequent dosing, and improved patient compliance. LBL-047 has demonstrated excellent activity and pharmacokinetic properties in multiple preclinical experiments. Significantly inhibit INF-α release Robust depletion of pDCs in vitro and in vivo Superior inhibition of B cell and plasma cell function in vitro and in vivo compared to marketed TACI fusion protein Significantly alleviated clinical symptoms and inhibited B cell and plasma cell function in EAE mouse model (MS model) Excellent PK profile and markedly reduced IgM, IgA, IgG in cynomolgus monkey for up to six weeks These results indicate that LBL-047 can simultaneously inhibit B cell function and deplete interferon-secreting pDCs, thereby attenuating autoimmune activity. This innovative research offers new possibilities for treating a wide range of autoimmune related diseases, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE), Lupus Nephritis (LN), Sjogren's Syndrome, and Myasthenia Gravis. Engineered to significantly prolong the dosing interval, LBL-047 presents an optimal product profile for subsequent clinical and commercial development. Huang Xiao, Vice President of Discovery Research at Leads Biolabs, said: "EULAR is a highly anticipated event in the fields of rheumatology and immunology. We are honored to be featured in this prestigious gathering of over 18,000 experts and scholars from more than 130 countries to share the exciting data we have generated. LBL-047, independently developed and fully owned by Leads Biolabs, represents a significant achievement arising from our differentiated innovation strategy. Its unique design is based on our profound understanding of autoimmune diseases and target mechanisms, integrating extensive antibody engineering technologies and optimization efforts. We are very pleased with the results we have seen in preclinical studies. Leads Biolabs is dedicated to our corporate philosophy of 'care for life, focus on innovation, and win-win cooperation,' and is committed to providing safer and more effective treatment options for patients. Currently, LBL-047 is in the preclinical research stage, and we will continue to efficiently promote the development of this drug candidate to bring effective treatments to patients with autoimmune diseases as soon as possible." About LBL-047 B cells and pDCs play a crucial and synergistic role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases. Inhibiting the function of B cells and pDCs is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating various autoimmune diseases. LBL-047 is a long-acting TACI/anti- BDCA2 bispecific fusion protein, obtained by fusing an engineered TACI domain with a defucosylated anti-BDCA2 humanized monoclonal antibody. TACI is the natural high-affinity receptor for B cell activation factor of the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), which are key cytokines that promote B cell and plasma cell survival, maturation, and function. Engineered TACI domain can be used to trap BAFF and APRIL, inhibiting B-cell function. BDCA2 is specifically expressed on pDCs and BDCA2 agonist antibody can suppress the IFNs release. Additionally, anti-BDCA2 antibodies can directly eliminate pDCs through mechanisms such as ADCC, inhibiting pDC-mediated immune responses. The defucosylated anti-BDCA2 antibody has stronger ADCC activity, and the introduction of YTE mutation in the Fc region further prolongs the half-life of the antibody. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that LBL-047 can potently inhibit the functions of B cells and pDCs simultaneously, and possesses excellent pharmacokinetic properties, indicating broad clinical applications and market prospects in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases. About Leads Biolabs Nanjing Leads Biolabs Co., Ltd. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in Nanjing by a team of senior U.S.-trained antibody drug developers. Since 2014, Leads Biolabs has been dedicated to the discovery and development of novel antibody drugs with independent intellectual property rights for the treatment of oncology and other major diseases of high unmet medical needs, particularly the challenges in cancer immunotherapy. Our extensive R&D pipeline consist of more than twenty novel tumor immunotherapy, autoimmunity and ADC molecules based on monoclonal and bispecific antibody technology platforms. Leads Biolabs is committed to providing safe, effective, accessible, and affordable new drugs to address the unmet needs of patients around the world.

Polyfunctionality correlates with a patient's remission lasting over 18 months with the CAR T cell therapy IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PeproMene Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company developing novel therapies for cancers and immune disorders, today announced that City of Hope-developed BAFF-R CAR T, known as PMB-CT01, demonstrated better polyfunctionality than CD19 CAR T cells, which are used in current Food and Drug Administration-approved CAR T cell therapies, according to a correlative study published in Blood Advances. Researchers used a single-cell platform, which found that PMB-CT01 CAR T cells, had more polyfunctionality, which is T cells' ability to perform several functions at the same time, than CD 19 CAR T cells. PMB-CT01 cells also produced more stimulatory cytokines, which can spur the immune system, and effector cytokines, which can directly kill cancer cells. Using the City of Hope-developed assay, researchers tested a BAFF-R CAR T cell product from a 57-year-old man with relapsed mantle cell lymphoma. The patient had not achieved remission with prior CD19 CAR T cell therapies. After receiving one infusion in City of Hope's Phase 1 trial using PMB-CT01 and experiencing minimal side effects, the man has been in complete remission over 18 months and continues to have undetectable cancer by sensitive molecular tests for minimal residual disease. The study reported robust indicators of polyfunctionality, which correlated with successful CAR T cell expansion post-infusion and the patient's ongoing remission. Researchers plan to use the assay to test CAR T cell products from five other patients in the trial, all of whom have experienced similar remissions to PMB-CT01. "We developed BAFFR-CAR T therapy as another treatment option for a significant number of patients with lymphomas and leukemias who relapse after receiving commercial CD19 CAR T cell therapy, and our results so far represent the ideal maximal efficacy with minimal toxicity," said Larry W. Kwak, M.D., Ph.D., vice president and deputy director of City of Hope's Comprehensive Cancer Center and PeproMene's scientific founder and compensated chair of its Scientific Advisory Board. Kwak has an equity interest in PeproMene. "We have developed a robust and reliable polyfunctional assay for CAR T cell products, with the potential to predict patient outcomes and accelerate the development of effective CAR T cell therapies." Elizabeth Budde, M.D., Ph.D., the trial's principal investigator, an associate professor of hematology and hematopoietic cell transplantation and the executive medical director for the Immune Effector Cell Therapy Program at City of Hope, presented initial trial results at the American Society of Hematology's conference in December 2023. "It's exciting to say that five patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and one with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia have been treated with PMB-CT01 and 100% have demonstrated durable responses," Dr. Budde said. "Many of the trial patients relapsed had after CD19 CAR T therapy and/or were CD19 negative. PMB-CT01 could present a viable option for other patients who also face this dilemma." "This assay can be applied to current and future clinical trials to guide the development of PMB-CT01. PeproMene remains committed to the ongoing scientific and clinical development of this potentially promising new cell therapy" said Hazel Cheng Ph.D., COO of PeproMene Bio. About PMB-CT01 PMB-CT01 is a first-in-class, BAFF-R-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy. BAFF-R (B- Cell Activating Factor Receptor), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, is the main receptor for BAFF and is expressed almost exclusively on B cells. Since BAFF-R signaling promotes normal B-cell proliferation and appears to be required for B-cell survival, tumor cells are unlikely to escape therapy via loss of the BAFF-R antigen. This unique characteristic makes BAFFR CAR T therapy a highly promising option for treating B-cell malignancies. The BAFFR CAR was constructed using anti-BAFF-R single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies and second-generation signaling domains CD3ζ and 4-1BB. Our research has demonstrated that BAFFR-CAR T cells effectively kill human lymphomas and leukemias both in vitro and in animal models. PeproMene Bio has licensed the intellectual property of PMB-CT01 from City of Hope. About PeproMene Bio PeproMene Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotech company in Irvine, California developing novel therapies to treat cancers and immune disorders. PeproMene's lead candidate, PMB-CT01 (BAFFR-CAR T cells) is currently being investigated to treat relapsed and refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL; NCT04690595) and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL; NCT05370430) in phase 1 clinical trials. PeproMene Bio is also developing BAFFR Bispecific T Cell Engager and BAFFR-CAR NK cells. Contact: John Fry, [email protected] SOURCE PeproMene Bio, Inc.