SAN CARLOS, Calif., Oct. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allakos Inc. (NASDAQ:ALLK), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of antibodies for the treatment of eosinophil and mast cell related diseases, today announced the presentation of two posters at the American College of Gastroenterology 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting being held in Philadelphia from October 5 to 10, 2018.
The following posters are being presented:
Siglec-8, a Novel Selective Target for Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases (EGIDs) Found on Eosinophils and Mast Cells in Human Tissue (P2591)
B. Youngblood, E. Brock, C. Bebbington, N. Tomasevic, H. Rasmussen, K. Peterson
Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This study examined the number and phenotype of white blood cells isolated from patient biopsies with eosinophilic gastritis (EG) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The poster concludes that:
- Siglec-8 is selectively expressed on eosinophils and mast cells at high levels in biopsies from patients diagnosed with EG and EoE
- Eosinophils and mast cells are significantly increased in biopsies from patients diagnosed with EG and EoE
- Mast cells were elevated to the same extent as eosinophils in biopsies from patients diagnosed with EG and EoE
- Eosinophils and mast cells in EG biopsies display an activated phenotype, suggesting eosinophils and mast cells are pathogenic in EG as well as other EGIDs
- AK002 treatment of eosinophils and mast cells from EG biopsies was shown to normalize the expression of inflammatory cytokines and cell surface markers of activation
The data suggest that targeting Siglec-8 with AK002 may represent a novel approach to treat EGIDs.
Novel Anti-Siglec-8 Antibody Reduces Eosinophil and Mast Cell Infiltration in a Mouse Model of Eosinophilic Gastritis and Gastroenteritis (P2540)
B. Youngblood, E. Brock, J. Leung, C. Bebbington, N. Tomasevic
Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This study examined the activity of the Company’s anti-Siglec-8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) AK002 in a mouse model of eosinophilic gastritis (EG) and gastroenteritis (EGE). The study showed that AK002 significantly reduced the number of eosinophils and mast cells in the stomach, small intestine, and blood compared to isotype control mAb-treated mice. In addition, mice treated with AK002 had reduced levels of inflammatory mediators in intestinal tissue and blood compared to isotype control treated mice.
About Allakos’ Eosinophilic Gastritis Program
Allakos is developing AK002 for EGIDs, including eosinophilic gastritis (EG) and eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE). AK002 has been tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers. All doses tested resulted in complete depletion of blood eosinophils within one hour after AK002 administration. The Company currently has an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with eosinophilic gastritis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis, top-line results from which are expected in mid-2019.
About Eosinophilic Gastritis and Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis
Eosinophilic gastritis (EG) and eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) are severe inflammatory diseases characterized by the presence of high levels of eosinophils in the stomach and/or the stomach and duodenum. Common symptoms of the disease include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition and weight loss. The estimated prevalence of EG/EGE in the United States is approximately 45,000 to 50,000 patients in the United States, though experts suggest the disease may be significantly underdiagnosed.
About Allakos
Allakos is a clinical stage company developing antibodies that target immunomodulatory receptors present on immune effector cells involved in allergic, inflammatory, and proliferative diseases. The Company’s lead antibody, AK002, targets Siglec-8, an inhibitory receptor selectively expressed on human mast cells and eosinophils. Inappropriately activated eosinophils and mast cells have been identified as key drivers in a number of severe diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, eyes, skin, lungs and other organs. AK002 has completed two Phase 1 trials, one in healthy volunteers and a single ascending dose trial in patients with indolent systemic mastocytosis. AK002 demonstrated pharmacodynamic activity in both trials and in the trial involving patients with indolent systemic mastocytosis, patients reported improvements in their symptoms. AK002 is being tested in a Phase 2 trial for the treatment of eosinophilic gastritis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis. In addition, Allakos is conducting multiple-dose trials with AK002 in chronic urticaria, indolent systemic mastocytosis, and severe allergic conjunctivitis. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.allakos.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those regarding the potential benefits of AK002 and the ability to develop AK002 and other antibodies to treat eosinophil and mast cell related diseases, the timing of top-line results from the Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with eosinophilic gastritis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis, and estimates of the number of patients with eosinophilic gastritis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis in the United States. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from current expectations and beliefs, including but not limited to: Allakos’ early stages of clinical drug development; Allakos’ ability to advance the development of its programs under the timelines it projects, demonstrate the requisite safety and efficacy of its product candidates and replicate in clinical trials any positive findings from preclinical studies; Allakos’ ability to enroll patients in its ongoing and future clinical trials; the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, other regulatory authorities and investigational review boards at clinical trial sites; uncertainties related to the projections of the size of patient populations suffering from the diseases the Company is targeting; Allakos’ ability to obtain, maintain and enforce necessary patent and other intellectual property protection; the availability of significant cash required to fund operations; competitive factors; general economic and market conditions; and other important risk factors set forth in Allakos’ Registration Statement on Form S-1 that is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the prospectus dated July 18, 2018 relating to its initial public offering of common stock, Allakos’ Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 29, 2018, and Allakos’ future reports to be filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Allakos specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.
Source: Allakos, Inc.