Lirentelimab (AK002) targets Siglec-8, an inhibitory receptor found on the surface of mast cells and eosinophils
We are testing lirentelimab diseases where mast cells and/or eosinophils are believed to play a role in the disease pathology. In clinical trials, lirentelimab treated patients have reported improvement in symptoms in diseases driven by mast cells and eosinophils. Clinical and preclinical results suggest that lirentelimab broadly inhibits mast cells and rapidly depletes eosinophils.
Ongoing and Planned Studies |
Status |
|---|---|
Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria |
Results Expected H2’23 |
Atopic Dermatitis |
Results Expected H2’23 |
Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria is a complex, chronic inflammatory disease considered to be primarily driven by mast cells. However, recent evidence suggests that eosinophils may also have a role in symptomology. CSU is an often-debilitating skin condition characterized by frequent and unpredictable eruption of hives, severe itching and swelling. Allakos completed an open-label Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating lirentelimab in patients with multiple forms of chronic urticaria (see press release). Patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (including both Xolair-naïve and Xolair-refractory), cholinergic urticaria or symptomatic dermographism experienced symptomatic improvement after treatment with lirentelimab. In the third quarter of 2022, Allakos initiated a Phase 2 trial evaluating subcutaneous lirentelimab versus placebo in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. Results from this trial are expected in the second half of 2023.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic pruritic inflammatory condition that is characterized by dry, red, itchy patches of skin. Multiple mechanisms contribute to the disease, including epithelial barrier impairment, systemic immune dysregulation, neuroinflammation, fibrotic remodeling and dysbiosis of skin microbiota. Crosstalk between eosinophils, mast cells, and sensory neurons has been shown to drive inflammation and chronic itch in atopic dermatitis via IgE, IL-4, IL-13, IL-33, and MRGPRX2. Allakos completed open-label Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating lirentelimab in severe allergic conjunctivitis including a portion of patients with concomitant atopic dermatitis (see press release). In the trial, patients with concomitant atopic dermatitis reported an improvement in their skin disease symptoms after treatment with lirentelimab. A similar finding was reported in the ENIGMA2 study in patients with EG/EoD with concomitant atopic dermatitis. Allakos initiated a Phase 2 trial evaluating subcutaneous lirentelimab versus placebo in patients with atopic dermatitis. Results from this trial are expected in the second half of 2023.