Numab Therapeutics’ NM26-2198 is a first-in-class bi-specific antibody designed to simultaneously block itch and inflammation, with the aim of improving quality of life relative to current standard of care treatment.

The first subject has been dosed in the Phase 1 clinical study of Numab Therapeutics’ NM26-2198, a first-in-class bi-specific antibody for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

This marks the beginning of a combined single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) Phase 1a/1b clinical study, conducted in collaboration with Numab’s Asia-regional partner Kaken Pharmaceutical. The study will enroll non-Asian and Japanese healthy volunteers in the SAD sub-study and moderate-to-severe AD patients in the MAD sub-study. The SAD sub-study is currently enrolling.

“It is an exciting milestone for Numab to initiate this study of NM26-2198, our first product candidate focused on the treatment of inflammatory conditions and our second multi-specific antibody therapeutic to advance to the clinic,” says David Urech, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Numab Therapeutics, in a news release.“Our team has leveraged our technology platforms to develop this novel, first-in-class bi-specific antibody therapeutic that is designed to deliver an earlier onset of efficacy and larger effect size than current standard of care in atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory conditions.”

NM26-2198 is a first-in-class bi-specific antibody designed to simultaneously block itch and inflammation, with the aim of improving quality of life relative to current standard of care treatment. NM26-2198 inhibits three key pathways involved in disease pathogenesis of AD. While standard of care blocks IL-4 and IL-13, NM26-2198 blocks IL-31 in addition, thereby specifically targeting the neuroinflammatory pathway that causes itch.

“Based on its unique mechanism of action, we believe that NM26-2198 has the potential to deliver faster and more pronounced relief from itch than the current standard of care AD treatment,” adds Peter Lichtlen, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Numab Therapeutics. “This effect would be notable for people suffering with AD, as we know itch is a major factor of disease burden that negatively impacts quality of life and sleep. Faster onset and deepened suppression of itch is also expected to result in a more pronounced effect on AD lesions.” Dr. Lichtlen continued, “We look forward to progressing this Phase 1a/1b clinical trial. It has been a great privilege to develop this novel molecule with our world-class network of leading clinical experts in the AD space and to be supported by our Japanese partner Kaken Pharmaceutical on this path.”xa