Acelyrin has shared positive results from a late-stage study of its IL-17A inhibitor izokibep in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), but has said it will not be moving forward with the asset in this indication.
Estimated to affect about 1% of the population in most studied countries, HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful nodules and abscesses.
In the phase 3 trial, izokibep demonstrated statistically significant responses across multiple efficacy endpoints at week 12, with 33% of patients being treated with izokibep 160mg weekly achieving at least a 75% reduction in total abscess and inflammatory nodule count (HiSCR75) compared to 21% of those receiving placebo.
Results also showed that 25% and 22% of izokibep-treated patients achieved HiSCR90 and HiSCR100, respectively, compared to 9% and 8% in the placebo cohort.
The announcement comes shortly after the drug demonstrated promising results in a phase 2b/3 study for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
Acelyrin said it will complete the ongoing HS and PsA trials, but will suspend new investment in these indications. A phase 2b/3 trial of izokibep in uveitis will also continue through its primary endpoint, with top-line data expected later this year.
Mina Kim, Acelyrin’s chief executive officer, said: “While [this] positive HS data and previously announced PsA data supports a path to approval for izokibep, we have determined that a programme of this breadth and size is best brought to market by a larger organisation with the resources and existing footprint in these indications.”
The company outlined that it will now be prioritising the development of lonigutamab, an anti-IGF-1R monoclonal antibody being evaluated as a treatment for thyroid eye disease (TED).
A phase 2 dose-ranging study of the candidate is ongoing and Acelyrin hopes to initiate a phase 3 trial of the drug early next year.
“We remain excited by the opportunity for lonigutamab to address unmet needs of patients with TED. Consistent with our commitment to disciplined capital allocation, we have decided to focus our efforts toward rapidly advancing lonigutamab through late-stage development with our existing cash resources,” Kim said.