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T-LGLL is an autoimmune disorder characterized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes which attack neutrophils and red blood cell precursors
Newton, Massachusetts, October 4, 2022 – Abcuro, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of cytotoxic T and NK cells, today announced initiation of a Phase 1/2 dose escalation trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and proof-of-concept of ABC008 in patients with T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) who suffer from anemia and/or neutropenia. ABC008 is a first-in-class anti-KLRG1 antibody capable of selectively depleting highly cytotoxic T cells, while sparing regulatory T cells, central memory T cells, and other immune cells.
“Initiating the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of ABC008 represents an important step toward a potential breakthrough in the treatment of T-LGLL,” said Jeffrey Wilkins, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. “This trial builds upon prior published data demonstrating the ability of ABC008 to deplete highly cytotoxic T cells, which attack and destroy muscle tissue in inclusion body myositis, an autoimmune disease.”
T-LGLL is an autoimmune disorder characterized by clonally expanded CD3+ CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes which attack neutrophils and red blood cell precursors, leading to neutropenia and anemia. Neutropenia can lead to frequent infections, a major cause of premature death in patients with T-LGLL, while anemia results in transfusion dependence in approximately one third of patients.
About ABC008
ABC008 is a first-in-class anti-KLRG1 antibody capable of selectively depleting highly cytotoxic T cells, while sparing regulatory and central memory T cells. ABC008 has been designed to treat diseases mediated by highly cytotoxic T cells, including the autoimmune muscle disease inclusion body myositis (IBM), T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL), and mature T cell malignancies. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation to ABC008 for the treatment of IBM.
About Abcuro
Abcuro is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunotherapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of highly cytotoxic T and NK cells. The company’s lead program is ABC008, which is currently in clinical trials for inclusion body myositis (IBM). ABC008 is also advancing into clinical trials for T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia. The company is also developing ABC015 to selectively activate highly cytotoxic T and NK cells for treating cancer. For more information, visit us on LinkedIn and at abcuro.com.
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