AX-158 has broad potential to treat
many autoimmune diseases without causing
immunosuppression
Psoriasis biomarker panel and PASI scores
expected later this year
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Artax Biopharma, Inc., a
clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on transforming
the treatment of autoimmune diseases, today announces the
completion of patient recruitment for its Phase 2a clinical trial
with AX-158, a first-in-class Nck modulator for autoimmune
diseases.
![(PRNewsfoto/Artax Biopharma) (PRNewsfoto/Artax Biopharma)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1167520/Artax_Logo.jpg)
"We are thrilled to have completed patient recruitment for this
trial and wish to thank all participating patients and healthcare
professionals for their willingness to help us evaluate the
potential of this novel Nck modulator mechanism for autoimmune
diseases," said Dr. Scott Batty,
Chief Medical Officer of Artax Biopharma. "The data will include
the safety and tolerability of AX-158 in psoriasis patients and
clinical assessments, such as PASI1 and
DLQI2. However, we are most eager to see the changes in
a wide panel of disease-relevant biomarkers, which will help
contextualize the impact and cadence of the response to treating
via this orthogonal approach to current autoimmune therapies."
"Investigating the impact of this novel mechanism of action on
the disease related biomarkers will contribute to the body of
knowledge in this field, and I am intrigued to see what this data
will show," commented James G.
Krueger, M.D., Ph.D., Head of the Laboratory for
Investigative Dermatology at The Rockefeller
University and Artax Scientific Advisory Board member. "If
Nck modulation delivers on the pre-clinical promise, then this may
unlock a new treatment paradigm, which is broadly applicable across
autoimmune diseases."
Artax expects to announce the results from this first patient
trial before the end of 2024.
About the Phase 2a trial with AX-158 in psoriasis
AX-158 is being evaluated in a Phase 2a Proof-of-Mechanism study
in patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis in multiple
centers in the UK. Participants were randomized 2:1 to receive a
single dose AX-158 or a placebo. A total of 30 participants are
being treated for 28 days and will be followed for an additional 30
days for safety. We anticipate reporting topline results in Q4
2024.
About Artax Biopharma, Nck modulation, and
AX-158
Artax Biopharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology
company transforming the treatment of T Cell-driven autoimmune
diseases. Artax's first-in-class oral small molecules aim to
deliver immune system modulation without immunosuppression,
potentially unlocking new treatment options as both monotherapy and
in combination with other treatments. Lead program AX-158 will
deliver Phase 2a Proof of Concept data in psoriasis later in
2024.
We believe there is significant potential for Nck modulation to
revolutionize treatment of T Cell-driven diseases. Immunomodulation
maintains healthy control of the immune system and addresses the
underlying source of T Cell-driven diseases. Central to a
well-functioning immune system is the T Cell Receptor (TCR). When
TCR signaling becomes dysregulated, it causes T Cell-driven
conditions, including autoimmune diseases. We believe the
immunomodulation mechanism offered by our investigational agents
holds broad potential to revolutionize how these T Cell-driven
autoimmune diseases are addressed, while not impairing the ability
of a patient's immune system to function properly.
AX-158, our lead Nck modulator, has shown strong, broad cytokine
modulation as well as modulation of mixed lymphocyte reactions.
Good data on therapeutic efficacy with AX-158 were observed in
murine models of self-antigen activation (EAE), with a prolonged
pharmacodynamic effect in EAE, suggesting durable immune
modulation. AX-158 showed no immunosuppression in models of strong
antigen stimulation. Studies with AX-158 showed substantial
preclinical evidence of activity in the Th2,
Th17, Th1/Th0 pathways, suggesting
that applications could be quite broad across the autoimmune
space.
Artax Biopharma is based in the Boston area and raised Series A & B from
Advent Life Sciences, Sound Bioventures, and Columbus Venture
Partners. For more info, see www.artaxbiopharma.com or follow us on
LinkedIn.
For future clinical study inquiries:
contact@artaxbiopharma.com
Contacts:
Maria Nichol,
DPhil, EPA, CPA
Chief Business Officer
mnichol@artaxbiopharma.com
Media:
Linda Phelan
Dyson, MPH
Corporate Communications
+1 973-986-5873
lpdyson@verizon.net
1 PASI = Psoriasis Area Severity Index
2 DLQI = Dermatology Life Quality Index
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SOURCE Artax Biopharma