XBiotech Announces First Patient Enrolled in Phase I Clinical Trial for Novel Arthritis Therapy Natrunix-SQ

XBiotech Inc. enrolled the first patient in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics of Natrunix-SQ. Natrunix-SQ targets a crucial inflammatory pathway involved in pain and joint destruction in various forms of arthritis. XBiotech believes that Natrunix-SQ may be the most effective means of blocking the inflammatory pathway involved in arthritis and thus could represent a breakthrough treatment for arthritides.

The Phase I study represents the launch of the clinical program for Natrunix-SQ for the treatment of rheumatological diseases. The Phase I study will evaluate Natrunix-SQ blood levels in the context of increasing doses. These findings will guide follow-up studies with Natrunix-SQ.

Upon successful completion of the Phase I study, multiple Phase II studies to evaluate Natrunix-SQ in rheumatology are planned. Natrunix-SQ is an antibody derived from a human donor where it was acting to naturally neutralize inflammation. Natrunix-SQ binds and neutralizes the action of one of the most potent inflammation-causing substances known to be produced by the body—interleukin-1. The body's production of interleukin-1 has for decades been viewed as a key target for treating inflammatory disease.

To date, therapies that block interleukin-1 have been successfully developed and marketed. However, no therapy to date has been developed that neutralizes interleukin-1 like Natrunix-SQ. Interleukin-1 is made up of two distinct components: IL-1a and IL-1b.

Natrunix-SQ is the first therapeutic to directly and specifically target and neutralize the activity of IL-1a. In recent years, world-class research has shown that IL-1 a may in many cases be the crucial target in blocking the disease-causing activities of interleukin-1. The unique approach of Natrunix-SQ to blocking interleukin-1-driven inflammation holds promise as a new generation of anti-inflammatory therapy in arthritis. As a naturally derived human antibody, it is also by design expected to be among the safest and best tolerated medicines possible.