TRUE HUMAN™ AND Interleukin-1⍺
XBiotech is committing a major effort to develop therapies based on natural human immunity to interleukin-1⍺ (IL-1⍺), a substance produced by the body that can cause harmful inflammation. While it is produced naturally by the body, when not properly controlled, in situations of acute or chronic injury, inflammation caused by IL-1⍺ can contribute to the development and progression of a variety of medical conditions, such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, or arthritis, to name a few.
On December 30, 2019 XBiotech sold an IL-1⍺ blocking True Human™ antibody that had been used successfully in a number of clinical trials. The sale of the antibody generated $750 million in upfront cash and up to $600 million in potential milestone payments. As part of the sale, XBiotech agreed not to develop or market anti-IL-1⍺ antibody treatments for dermatological diseases. However, the Company retained the right to pursue the development of True Human™ antibodies targeting IL-1⍺ for all areas of medicine outside of dermatology.
Completed clinical studies and a myriad of scientific research have shown that blocking IL-1⍺ may have a beneficial effect in numerous medical conditions. The potential unmet medical need for blocking inflammation through neutralizing IL-1⍺ is vast. The Company’s new resources will enable XBiotech to better exploit the development potential for anti-IL-1⍺ therapy. The Company plans to re-enter the clinic with more than one additional anti-IL-1⍺ therapy, beginning in early 2021.
XBiotech believes there is extraordinary unmet medical need for True Human™ antibody therapy targeting IL-1⍺-related inflammation. The Company is considering initial indications in stroke, cancer, psoriatic arthritis, and end-stage renal disease patients who are undergoing hemodialysis. Because the potential medical uses for anti-IL-1⍺ therapy is so large, the Company plans to develop more than one True Human™ antibody, each neutralizing IL-1⍺, but specializing each for use in a specific area of medicine. This will potentially allow XBiotech to individually partner different antibodies according to unique medical areas. The Company expects this will diversify risk for anti-IL-1⍺ therapies, allow multiple partnerships, maximize value, and facilitate greater resource dedication to True Human™ anti-inflammatory therapeutics.
