Belgium-based clinical stagebiopharmaceutical company arGEN-X has progressed its fourth therapeutic candidate, ARGX-112, into formal preclinical development.
The new human antibody ARGX-112 neutralizes both IL20 and IL22 signaling through blockade of their common receptor, IL22R, with low picomolar potency.
IL20 and IL22 are involved in proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes and when over-expressed, are implicated in autoimmune diseases of the skin, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and pustular psoriasis.
ARGX-112 has been shown to be highly effective in several preclinical models of chronic skin inflammation, according to the company.
arGEN-X CEO Van Hauwermeiren said the results they have generated in preclinical models of skin disease along with the inherent characteristics of ARGX-112 gives great confidence in the development potential of ARGX-112 candidate.
"We believe that ARGX-112 is a very attractive candidate for treatment of a broad range of chronic inflammatory skin conditions," Hauwermeiren added.
In January 2013, arGEN-X had initiated a Phase Ib study with ARGX-110.
