Austin-based XBiotech says it has established solid proof-of-concept data for its antibody program for type 2 diabetes. The biotech says that MABp1 delivered a positive response in a Phase II diabetes study, with patients registering a decline in HbA1c levels that rivals a current blockbuster drug.
"Interim results from the Phase II MABp1 trial demonstrate patients entering the study with average HbA1c levels of 7.4% achieved a 0.2% decrease in HbA1c level by week 8, a significantly more rapid response than the most recent FDA approved treatment for type 2 diabetes, linagliptin (Tradjenta)," says the company in a statement. "When used as a monotherapy in patients with entry HbA1c levels of ≤ 7.5%, linagliptin did not demonstrate the same 0.2% decrease in HbA1c until week 24."
The new drug may eventually prove its faster, but it should be noted that Tradjenta has produced significantly higher reductions in HbA1c levels in a range of late-stage studies undertaken by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly ($LLY).
"This is the first human study directly targeting IL-1α in patients with type 2 diabetes," noted Marc Donath M.D., head of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at University Hospital of Basel. "These preliminary results support the idea that it may be a novel way to improve this disease. It is now well established that inflammation plays a role in type 2 diabetes and associated cardiovascular disease."
XBiotech has attracted a considerable amount of attention in Texas for its ambitious growth plans, which includes a blueprint for its own R&D campus in Austin.
- here's the press release
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