San Diego, CA – Biotechnology company Inmagene today announced an important milestone in the development of a potential new treatment for alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.
The company has dosed the first patient in a Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating IMG-007, an anti-OX40 monoclonal antibody engineered to have an extended half-life.
Alopecia areata affects over 6 million people in the United States alone, causing patchy or complete hair loss that can be psychologically devastating.
There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for this condition. Inmagene aims to change that with IMG-007.
IMG-007 targets OX40, a co-stimulatory receptor expressed on immune cells. By binding to OX40, the drug candidate suppresses the aberrant immune response that attacks hair follicles in alopecia areata.
The extended half-life technology applied to IMG-007 was designed to allow less frequent dosing while maintaining therapeutic drug levels.
The Phase 2a trial has commenced dosing and will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of IMG-007 in patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata. The primary outcome measures include hair regrowth, hair coverage, and level of immune response modulation.
“We are encouraged by the promising preclinical and Phase 1 data for IMG-007 and are excited to advance this potential first-in-class OX40 antagonist into Phase 2 evaluation,” said Yufang Lu, Chief Medical Officer at Inmagene. “We hope this trial marks a significant step towards providing an effective and safe therapy for patients with alopecia areata.”
If the results from the Phase 2a trial are favorable, Inmagene plans to initiate a larger Phase 2b trial and eventually seek regulatory approval for IMG-007.
While it is still early in the trial process, the potential breakthrough offered by this novel monoclonal antibody raises hopes that a more effective and lasting treatment for alopecia may be on the horizon.
For millions coping with alopecia areata worldwide, IMG-007 represents a hopeful new treatment on the horizon – one that may finally provide a durable solution to hair loss.
Source:
- Inmagene Doses First Patient in Phase 2a Trial of IMG-007, an Anti-OX40 Monoclonal Antibody with an Extended Half-life, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/inmagene-doses-first-patient-in-phase-2a-trial-of-img-007-an-anti-ox40-monoclonal-antibody-with-an-extended-half-life-for-the-treatment-of-alopecia-areata/
- Inmagene Doses First Patient in Phase 2a Trial of IMG-007, an Anti-OX40 Monoclonal Antibody with an Extended Half-life, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inmagene-doses-first-patient-in-phase-2a-trial-of-img-007-an-anti-ox40-monoclonal-antibody-with-an-extended-half-life-for-the-treatment-of-alopecia-areata-301956087.html
- First Patient Dosed in Phase 2a Trial of IMG-007 for Alopecia Areata: https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/first-patient-dosed-in-phase-2a-trial-of-img-007-for-alopecia-areata
- Inmagene announces first subject dosing in alopecia areata trial: https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/inmagene-subject-dosing-alopecia-areata-trial/
- Inmagene Doses First Patient in Phase 2a Trial of IMG-007, an Anti-OX40 Monoclonal Antibody with an Extended Half-life, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: https://www.panaceaventure.com/news/inmagene-doses-first-patient-in-phase-2a-trial-of-img-007-an-anti-ox40-monoclonal-antibody-with-an-extended-half-life-for-the-treatment-of-alopecia-areata
- Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/inmagene-biopharmaceuticals_today-inmagene-announced-that-it-dosed-first-activity-7118625632573378562-9nRA
