The presentation includes new, encouraging quantitative imaging data from foralumab's intermediate- size patient population Expanded Access Program. In the presentation, foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal-antibody showed the attenuation of microglial activation in patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (na-SPMS) based on positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and disease stabilization in na-SPMS patients with disease progression independent of relapse (PIRA).
The oral presentation, delivered by
Five of six patients (83%, 95% confidence interval 44%-97%) showed a qualitative reduction on [F-18]PBR06-PET in multiple brain regions after both 3 and 6 months of nasal foralumab treatment, which implies that there is in vivo evidence for reduced microglial activation and neuroinflammation following treatment with nasal foralumab. White matter z-scores (a measure of abnormally increased neuroinflammation) were reduced by 26-36% in the foralumab-treated group at 3 and 6 months, which was >4-5-times higher compared to 6% variability in the test-retest group. Clinically, foralumab-treated patients demonstrated a stable EDSS and improvement in the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). Reduction in fatigue as measured by the MFIS is clinically relevant to the lives of na-SPMS patients and will be a key monitoring parameter moving forward.
Nasal foralumab attenuated microglial activation in na-SPMS patients with PIRA at 3 and 6 months, as evaluated by [F-18]PBR06-PET and was associated with clinical symptom stability. Based on these positive results, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study of nasal-foralumab in na-SPMS with [F-18]PBR06-PET as a primary endpoint with measures of EDSS and MFIS is underway. This trial (NCT06292923) is important because if the potential to slow disease progression is demonstrated this would align with early treatment intervention.
About Foralumab
Activated T cells play an important role in the inflammatory process. Foralumab, the only fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), binds to the T cell receptor and dampens inflammation by modulating T cell function, thereby suppressing effector features in multiple immune cell subsets. This effect has been demonstrated in patients with COVID and with multiple sclerosis, as well as in healthy normal subjects. The non-active SPMS intranasal foralumab Phase 2 trial began screening patients in November of 2023. Immunomodulation by nasal anti-CD3 mAb represents a novel avenue for treatment of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative human diseases.
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