SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New preclinical research presented by Allakos, Inc., shows the potential of the company’s recombinant antibodies to Siglec-8, an inhibitory receptor selectively expressed on the immune system’s mast cells and eosinophils, to inhibit fibrosis. The data, presented today at the 1st International Conference on Tissue Repair, Regeneration and Fibrosis in Rhodes, Greece, demonstrate the ability of an anti-Siglec-8 antibody to inhibit multiple elements of the fibrotic process in rodent models of skin and lung fibrosis.
Fibrosis is the formation of fibrous connective tissue in the body and is often part of the repair process in response to injury. However, excessive fibrosis can occur as the main pathology in many diseases — such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, and liver and kidney fibrosis — where it interferes with normal organ function and can lead to organ failure and increased mortality. Mast cells and eosinophils are important cells in the development and progression of fibrosis, where they mediate many processes that result in tissue damage.
Allakos has developed a portfolio of antibodies that bind Siglec-8, a receptor present on mast cells and eosinophils. Previous research has shown that Siglec-8 antibodies can inhibit mast cell function and trigger apoptosis of tissue eosinophils. Allakos has also developed novel Siglec-8 antibodies that can kill mast cells and eosinophils by a natural defense mechanism within the body called antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The company is currently completing a Phase 1 safety study of an anti-Siglec-8 antibody, AK002, in healthy volunteers, with plans to initiate testing in patients with fibrotic disease in the second half of 2017.
“Our preclinical results demonstrate that a Siglec-8 antibody can reduce key fibrotic processes in multiple animal models,” said Nenad Tomasevic, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at Allakos. “The action of these Siglec-8 targeting antibodies is highly specific to mast cells and eosinophils, and has the potential to benefit a wide spectrum of patients with severe, often life-threatening, conditions where fibrosis is a major contributor to the disease.”
About Allakos
Allakos is a privately held, clinical-stage company developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics that selectively target mast cells and eosinophils – important immune effector cells that are involved in a broad spectrum of allergic and inflammatory conditions as well as several rare proliferative diseases with high unmet need. The company's lead drug candidates, AK001 and AK002 use novel approaches to target mast cells and eosinophils. AK001 is in a Phase 2 trial in patients with moderate to severe nasal polyposis with or without asthma, and AK002 is currently in two Phase 1 trials – 1) in healthy volunteers and 2) in patients with systemic mastocytosis. Allakos is located in San Carlos, California.
For further information, visit www.Allakos.com.
