vobarilizumab   Click here for help

GtoPdb Ligand ID: 8363

Synonyms: ALX-0061
Immunopharmacology Ligand
Compound class: Antibody
Comment: Vobarilizumab is an investigational bispecific peptide NanobodyTM which binds soluble IL-6R and human albumin (albumin binding being utilised as a half-life extension methodology). Design and production of ALX-0061 is described in patent US8748581 [2]. Vobarilizumab is being developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Preclinical information is published in [6].
The exact NanobodyTM structure being used as ALX-0061 was not revealed in the covering patent [2], but has been disclosed in the INN submission. Annotated peptide sequences for this therapeutic are available from its IMGT/mAb-DB record.
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No information available.
Summary of Clinical Use Click here for help
Vobarilizumab (as research code ALX-0061) has reached Phase 2 clinical trial. See NCT02437890 (SLE) and NCT02518620 (RA) as examples.
Mechanism Of Action and Pharmacodynamic Effects Click here for help
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a wide range of biological actions. IL-6 acts via its membrane-bound receptor (mIL-6R) in a classical interaction, or it can activate the soluble receptor (sIL-6R) in a process termed trans-signalling. IL-6 mediates inflammatory processes underlying many autoimmune diseases [1,3-5]. ALX-0061 appears to bind preferentially to the soluble receptor, and this is hypothesised to increase its clinical efficacy and reduce the adverse pharmacology associated with mIL-6R inhibition.
Clinical Trials
Clinical Trial ID Title Type Source Comment References
NCT02437890 A Phase II Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of ALX-0061 in Subjects With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Phase 2 Interventional Ablynx
NCT02518620 An Open-Label Extension Study Assessing the Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of ALX-0061 in Subjects With Rheumatoid Arthritis Phase 2 Interventional Ablynx