- Anthera will regain all worldwide rights for blisibimod without cost
-
No patients were enrolled in the BRIGHT-SC study or any other clinical study in
Japan - Zenyaku is required to continue various funding obligations during the termination period
- No effect on blisibimod lupus program or Sollpura development program
- BRIGHT-SC clinical study in patients with IgA Nephropathy will continue
"Progress of blisibimod in
As previously disclosed, Anthera entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Zenyaku in
"Regaining full worldwide control of blisibimod development, and in particular the IgA nephropathy program, is exciting as we are now free to consider additional approaches including the potential examination of the clinical data from the BRIGHT-SC study at an earlier time point than originally planned," said Anthera's Chief Medical officer, Dr.
About Blisibimod
Blisibimod is a selective peptibody antagonist of the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) cytokine that is initially being developed as a treatment for lupus and IgA nephropathy. BAFF is a tumor necrosis family member and is critical to the development, maintenance and survival of B-cells. It is primarily expressed by macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells and interacts with three different receptors on B-cells including BAFF receptor, or BAFF-R, B-cell maturation, or BCMA, and transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor, or TACI. The BAFF-R receptor is expressed primarily on peripheral B-cells. Blisibimod consists of a novel BAFF binding domain fused to the N-terminus of the Fc region of human antibody. Blisibimod binds to BAFF and inhibits the interaction of BAFF with its receptors. The role of BAFF in lupus has recently been clinically validated in multiple late-stage clinical studies with anti-BAFF antibodies. We intend to advance the development of our BAFF antagonist, blisibimod, to exploit its broad potential clinical utility in autoimmune diseases, with initial focus on lupus. Blisibimod demonstrates anti-BAFF activity and has been shown to be safe and effective in selectively modulating and reducing B-cells in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical studies in lupus patients.
About
About
Safe Harbor Statement
Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical matters, including statements that are preceded by, followed by, or that include such words as "estimate," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "goal," "expect," "project," or similar statements, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on Anthera's expectations as of the date of this press release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially as set forth in Anthera's public filings with the
CONTACT:Nikhil Agarwal ofAnthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [email protected] or 510.856.5600x5621