LOS ALTOS, CA, USA I October 16, 2014 I AbGenomics International announced today that the company has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with FDA to initiate a Phase-II psoriatic arthritis (PsA) trial for its lead compound AbGn-168H. More than half of the patients with active psoriatic arthritis could not even achieve 20% of disease improvement (ACR20) under the current therapies. The unmet medical needs of PsA have not been substantially satisfied with existing drugs according to key opinion leaders in this field.  

The proof of clinical concept of AbGn-168H, a humanized monoclonal antibody being developed to treat inflammatory diseases, has been demonstrated in a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.  The primary objective of the incoming “24-Week Open-label, Multi-center, Phase II Proof of Principle Trial” is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AbGn-168H in patients with active PsA. Due to the unique mechanism of action, AbGn-168H has potential benefit for treating multiple immune-related diseases. The company is dedicated to bring forth this potential game-changing therapeutic candidate that offers clinical benefit for inflammatory disease patients.

About AbGenomics (www.abgenomics.com)

AbGenomics International Inc. (AbG) is a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted antibody therapeutics for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and cancers. Headquartered in San Francisco Bay Area, U.S., AbGenomics has subsidiaries in the Netherlands and in Taiwan. The Company’s strategy is to commercialize its novel products in collaboration with major pharmaceutical partners in order to maximize the opportunity for development and marketing of the Company’s compounds.

SOURCE: AbGenomics