ASLN - ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Presents New Data on Eblasakimab in Atopic Dermatitis and COPD Translational Models at the 7th Dermatology Drug Development Summit | Benzinga
- Head-to-head study between eblasakimab and dupilumab in skin biopsies from atopic dermatitis (AD) patients confirm eblasakimab's differentiated effects of targeting IL-13R vs IL-4R
- Using an established COPD model of human lung slices, new data demonstrate eblasakimab's potential to reduce airway constriction and enhance dilation
- Results demonstrate for the first time the potential utility of eblasakimab in other indications beyond AD
SAN MATEO, Calif. and SINGAPORE, Nov. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ASLN), a clinical-stage, immunology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments to transform the lives of patients, today announced new data was presented at the Dermatology Drug Development Summit (DDDS) that took place in Boston, MA, from October 31 to November 2, 2023. The datasets presented strengthen evidence for eblasakimab's differentiated mechanism of action in atopic dermatitis (AD), and, for the first time, show application in a new indication, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can be driven by Type 2 inflammation.
A head-to-head study between eblasakimab and dupilumab conducted in skin punch biopsies of AD patients showed differential expression of inflammatory cytokines secreted by the localized skin tissue, with eblasakimab treatment more efficiently reducing expression of Th2 cytokines IL-13, IL-4 and sCD40L, as well as IL-17F and chemokines CCL3 and CCL4, compared to dupilumab treatment. These preliminary results validate previously published data1 from AD patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells from ASLAN's research collaboration with Dr Shawn Kwatra (Johns Hopkins Medicine) and Dr Madan Kwatra (Duke University). These data together demonstrate eblasakimab's differentiated effects compared to dupilumab and highlight the potential advantages to targeting IL-13R with eblasakimab, which may lead to more efficient blockade of Type 2 signaling while also sparing the Type 1 receptor.
ASLAN also presented new data investigating the role of eblasakimab in COPD using an established ex vivo model of precision cut lung slices from human donors2. The model tested airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lung tissue using IL-4 and IL-13, the key Th2 cytokines involved in COPD disease pathology3. Eblasakimab significantly reduced IL-4 and IL-13-induced AHR by reducing airway constriction. Furthermore, IL-4 and IL-13 sensitized the airways to further constriction in response to methacholine, but this sensitization was blocked by eblasakimab treatment. To examine the effects on airway dilation, formoterol was used to induce bronchodilation. IL-4 and IL-13 pre-treatment significantly decreased dilation in response to formoterol within 5 minutes of treatment, but these effects were effectively reversed by eblasakimab, restoring the airway's normal response. Hence, eblasakimab successfully blocked IL-4/IL-13 induced AHR in lung tissue and restored the normal response of airway constriction and dilation which are of clinical significance in COPD. Eblasakimab blocks both IL-4 and IL-13 through the Type 2 receptor, giving it the potential to be more effective in a broader range of indications compared to drugs that only target the IL-13 cytokine.
"COPD is ...