Clazakizumab, an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, meets primary endpoint in follow-on Phase 2b clinical trial

Alder BioPharmaceuticals has  announced that clazakizumab, previously known as ALD518, met its primary endpoint in a follow-on Phase 2b, dose-ranging clinical trial in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who have experienced an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors.

Clazakizumab is a humanised, monoclonal antibody, designed to block the proinflammatory molecule interleukin-6 (IL-6), which plays a key role in the inflammatory cascade leading to the inflammation, swelling, pain and destruction of large and small joints associated with arthritis.

The follow-on Phase 2b, dose-ranging trial was designed to determine safety and efficacy of clazakizumab in 140 patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who were anti-TNF inadequate responders.

Alder plans to present the full results from the trial at an upcoming scientific meeting.

Clazakizumab was well tolerated in patietns with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis

Key points from the Phase 2b trial include:

• Clazakizumab met its primary endpoint, efficacy of clazakizumab versus placebo as assessed by the change in Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) from baseline at Week 12. Both the 25mg and 5 mg dosing groups were statistically significantly better than placebo at p<0.001.
• Clazakizumab was well tolerated and there were no differences from placebo in terms of adverse events or laboratory safety data.

Randall C. Schatzman, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Alder, said, “These positive safety and efficacy findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis provide additional support for the promise of clazakizumab as we seek a new partner to continue developing this monoclonal antibody for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.”

Alder is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing monoclonal antibody therapeutics for the treatment of migraine, Cushing’s disease and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.