Four Abstracts on Eblasakimab and Farudodstat to be Presented at 1st International Societies for Investigative Dermatology Meeting

Gennady Danilkin/AdobeStock

The 1st International Societies for Investigative Dermatology (ISID) Meeting takes place next week, May 10-13, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals will present 2 late-breaker presentations and 2 published abstracts on eblasakimab for atopic dermatitis and farudodstat for alopecia areata.

Late-breaker presentation:

1. Downstream effects of IL-13α1 blockade on type 2 inflammation and Th1 immune axis activation in atopic dermatitis
   1. Pharmacology and Drug Development Mini-Symposium, May 13, 13:15-15:45 JST, room CM18-04

Late-breaker poster presentation:

1. A novel ex vivo model of human hair follicle immune privilege collapse reveals the potential of farudodstat, a DHODH inhibitor, as a therapeutic for alopecia areata treatment
   1. Abstract ID: LB1777

Published abstracts:

1. Eblasakimab monotherapy improves moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis symptoms across anatomical regions in a phase 1 study (abstract ID: 657)

ASLAN’s first published abstract at ISID explores eblasakimab as monotherapy for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis across varying regions of the body. According to the background of the study, the clinical presentation of atopic dermatitis varies by anatomical location due to differences in skin area sensitivity and can therefore limit a patient’s long-term treatment options. New research shows that interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 signal through a type 2 receptor complex composed of IL-4Rα1 and IL-13Rα1 to mediate the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.

Eblasakimab obstructs the signaling cascade by binding to the IL-13Rα1 subunit. The phase 1b subgroup analysis analyzed the effects of eblasakimab on Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) across varying anatomical regions compared to placebo. Investigators found that patients treated with 400mg or 600mg of subcutaneous eblasakimab once a week showed notable improvement in percent change from baseline in EASI scores across 4 anatomic regions of the head/neck, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities, compared to placebo.

2. Neuromodulation beyond itch is blocked by targeting IL-13Rα1 with eblasakimab (abstract ID: 1594)

The second published ASLAN abstract at ISID evaluated whether IL-4 and IL-13 exert redundant or distinct functions in human sensory neurons, and whether eblasakimab can attenuate cytokine-enhanced neuronal responses to itch and reduce spontaneous neuronal activity. According to the abstract, “Human dorsal root ganglia neurons were treated with IL-4, IL-13, or their combination with or without eblasakimab and subsequently either challenged with pruritogens (BAM8-22 and PAMP-20) or tested for spontaneous neuronal activity. Neuronal responses to pruritogens and spontaneous neuronal activity were measured via live-cell calcium imaging.”

IL-4, IL-13, and their combination treatments enhanced neuronal responses to the non-histaminergic pruritogen (BAM-822) when applied to human dorsal root ganglion, and IL-13 treatment increased neuronal responses to the histaminergic pruritogen (PAMP-20) through amplifications of the activity of MRGPRX2. Investigators noted that this suggests a novel neuroimmune pathway besides its mast cell specific function

Updates

Eblasakimab, a potential first-in-class antibody targeting the IL-13 receptor in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is being studied in a global phase 2b trial of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with topline data expected in early July 2023. Farudodstat, a potent oral inhibitor of the enzyme DHODH and potential first-in-class treatment for alopecia areata is also under development. ASLAN plans to initiate a proof-of-concept trial in 2Q 2023.

Reference

1. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals announces four abstracts on eblasakimab and farudodstat, including two late-breakers, to be presented at 1st international societies of investigative dermatology meeting. BioSpace. Published April 24, 2023. Accessed April 24, 2023. https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/aslan-pharmaceuticals-announces-four-abstracts-on-eblasakimab-and-farudodstat-including-two-late-breakers-to-be-presented-at-the-1st-international-societies-for-investigative-dermatology-meeting/?keywords=dermatology