Cova322 is a bispecific
TNF/IL-17A inhibitor. Is this a new hype? Or are we going to see a change of
view on combining biologics? To my knowledge there is no biologic agent, where
a combination with another biologic agent is advocated. Some people combine
biologics with denosumab, so the principle isn’t that new, but let’s say it isn’t
accepted on a large scale. There had been studies combining anakinra and etanercept
or abatacept and a TNF-alpha-inbibitor, so that remicade for instance dicidedly
warns to be combined with other biologic agents. On the other hand we have
ustekinumab, which is a monoclonal antibody against interleukins 12 and 23.
W. Lemke and colleagues
presented the following paper [#1511]: “COVA322: A Clinical Stage Bispecific
TNF/IL-17A Inhibitor for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases.” “COVA322 was
analyzed for its cross-reactivity in a GLP study with human and Cynomolgus
tissues.” In “results” we’re told: “COVA322
showed no unexpected tissue cross-reactivity and no indication for the
potential to cause a cytokine release syndrome.” Conclusions: “COVA322 is a
unique bispecific TNF/IL-17A inhibitor, which was well tolerated in
non-clinical safety studies. The non-clinical data package supports the planned
dose range for the currently ongoing first in man, single dose escalation,
tolerability, safety, PK and efficacy Phase Ib/IIa study in psoriasis.” It
isn‘t a conclusion that COVA322 is a unique bispecific TNF/IL-17A inhibitor,
that’s marketing! The only conclusions I see are cell studies, mouse arthritis
model studies and tests in Cynomolgus monkeys hadn’t
raised safety concerns.
There is another study by D.
Grabulovski and colleagues [#1491]: “Discovery and Characterization of COVA322,
a Clinical Stage Bispecific TNF/IL-17A Inhibitor for the Treatment of
Inflammatory Diseases.” I recomment to read the whole text as methods and
results are really interesting to read. Conclusion:
“COVA322 is a unique bispecific TNF/IL-17A inhibitor with excellent biophysical
properties. It is currently being tested in a first in man, single dose
escalation, tolerability, safety, PK and efficacy Phase Ib/IIa study in
psoriasis.” Too much marketing!
Let’s sum it up. Cova322
is a bispecific TNF/IL-17A inhibitor. It is a promising new agent, which could
result in a new drug. It might be working in (at least) psoriasis and psoriatic
arthritis. And maybe it will help us to find a safe way to combining biologic
agents. Godspeed COVA322!
Link to ACR Abstracts:
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