Gerilizumab IL-6 inhibitor begins human testing, may target RA

The first double-blind, placebo-controlled study of gerilizumab, an interleukin-6 inhibitor, has begun in healthy individuals, and the monoclonal antibody is expected to be available as a lower cost treatment for rheumatoid arthritis compared to current biologic therapies, according to a company press release.

The development is the result of a partnership between RuiYi, asGEN-X and Genor Biopharma of China. According to the company, the subcutaneous administration of the agent has high bioavailability, potency and half-life compared to other cytokine inhibitors, based on results from preclinical studies. The company anticipates the agent may become a first-line treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly those who do not respond to anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatments. Dosage is expected to be required once a month or less frequently, and at a low volume.

“Gerilimzumab is a very innovative antibody,” Joe Zhou, PhD, president and CEO of Genor Biopharma, said in the release. “It targets a safe and validated pathway and has pharmacologic properties that allow tremendous potential for affordability. We are excited about this important step in the development of Gerilimzumab.”

Preliminary results from the trial are expected by the first quarter of 2016.

“One of the greatest unmet medical needs of our time is a cost-effective treatment for patients [with rheumatoid arthritis], 80% of whom are in emerging markets,” RuiYi’s CEO, Paul Grayson, said in the release. “We recognized early on that the pharmacologic profile of gerilimzumab had exceptional pharmacoeconomic potential for patients in both major as well as emerging markets. Gerilimzumab, a potential best-in-class novel therapeutic with the lowest anticipated pricing of any biologic for RA and with enhanced convenience, should present a valuable treatment option for physicians, patients and payers worldwide.”

Reference : http://www.ruiyibio.com.