IDEC Pharmaceuticals Begins Phase I/II Study in Psoriasis With
PRIMATIZED Antibody, IDEC-114
SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 4, 1999--IDEC Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:IDPH - news) today announced that it has begun a Phase I/II clinical trial with the company's investigational PRIMATIZED® anti-B7-1 (anti-CD80) monoclonal antibody, IDEC-114, in patients with psoriasis. The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability,
pharmacokinetics and potential clinical activity of multiple doses of the investigational agent.
IDEC-114 has the potential to selectively regulate the immune response and, thus, to treat autoimmune diseases by binding to a key co-stimulatory molecule on antigen-presenting cells. The antibody blocks the binding of the CD80 ligand on antigen-presenting cells to the CD28 receptor on T cells, thus interfering with T-cell activation. In addition, CD80 is present on the T cells in psoriatic skin lesions, and IDEC-114 could act directly on these disease-causing T cells.
Importantly, IDEC-114's mechanism of action does not appear to block binding to the CTLA-4 receptor which is purported to be involved in the desirable down-regulation of T-cell responses. Inappropriately activated T cells are implicated in the disease process of many autoimmune disorders.
''We are pleased with the early results of our single-dose, Phase I trials,'' said Richard G. Lizambri, M.D., director, Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases. ''Improved therapies are greatly needed
for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, which is a chronic, disabling disease.''
''IDEC-114 makes a significant contribution to the breadth and depth of IDEC's product pipeline,'' said William H. Rastetter, Ph.D., IDEC Pharmaceuticals' chairman, president and chief executive officer. ''We believe that the anti-CD80 PRIMATIZED antibody may prove effective in treating psoriasis, a debilitating T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease.''
Mitsubishi-Tokyo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has licensed the commercial rights of IDEC-114 in Asia. IDEC retains exclusive rights outside of Asia.
Here we are again in the 90's...disappointing for sure, but it's a long termer and gotta take advantage of these BIG dips.
chris
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