Generation and characterization of a high affinity anti-human FcRn antibody, rozanolixizumab, and the effects of different molecular formats on the reduction of plasma IgG concentration

DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2018.1505464

Authors: Bryan Smith (UCB Pharma) , Andrea Kiessling (UCB Pharma) , Rocio Lledo-Garcia (UCB Pharma) , Kate L. Dixon (UCB Pharma) , Matthew C. Catley (UCB Pharma) , Paul Atherfold (UCB Pharma) , Lena E. D’hooghe (UCB Pharma) , Helene Finney (UCB Pharma) , Kevin Greenslade (UCB Pharma) , Hanna Hailu (UCB Pharma) , Lara Kevorkian (UCB Pharma) , Daniel Lightwood (UCB Pharma) , Christoph Meier (UCB Pharma) , Rebecca Munro (UCB Pharma) , Omar Qureshi (UCB Pharma) , Kaushik Sarkar (UCB Pharma) , Sophie P. Shaw (UCB Pharma) , Roohi Tewari (UCB Pharma) , Alison Turner (UCB Pharma) , Kerry Tyson (UCB Pharma) , Shauna West (UCB Pharma) , Stevan Shaw (UCB Pharma) , Frank R. Brennan (UCB Pharma)
Co-authored by industrial partner: Yes

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Mabs , VOL 5

State: Published (Approved)
Published: August 2018

Abstract: Rozanolixizumab (UCB7665), a humanized high-affinity anti-human neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) monoclonal antibody (IgG4P), has been developed to reduce pathogenic IgG in autoimmune and alloimmune diseases. We document the antibody isolation and compare rozanolixizumab with the same variable region expressed in various mono-, bi- and trivalent formats. We report activity data for rozanolixizumab and the different molecular formats in human cells, FcRn-transgenic mice, and cynomolgus monkeys. Rozanolixizumab, considered the most effective molecular format, dose-dependently and selectively reduced plasma IgG concentrations in an FcRn-transgenic mouse model (no effect on albumin). Intravenous (IV) rozanolixizumab dosing in cynomolgus monkeys demonstrated non-linear pharmacokinetics indicative of target-mediated drug disposition; single IV rozanolixizumab doses (30 mg/kg) in cynomolgus monkeys reduced plasma IgG concentration by 69% by Day 7 post-administration. Daily IV administration of rozanolixizumab (initial 30 mg/kg loading dose; 5 mg/kg daily thereafter) reduced plasma IgG concentrations in all cynomolgus monkeys, with low concentrations maintained throughout the treatment period (42 days). In a 13-week toxicology study in cynomolgus monkeys, supra-pharmacological subcutaneous and IV doses of rozanolixizumab (≤ 150 mg/kg every 3 days) were well tolerated, inducing sustained (but reversible) reductions in IgG concentrations by up to 85%, with no adverse events observed. We have demonstrated accelerated natural catabolism of IgG through inhibition of IgG:FcRn interactions in mice and cynomolgus monkeys. Inhibition of FcRn with rozanolixizumab may provide a novel therapeutic approach to reduce pathogenic IgG in human autoimmune disease. Rozanolixizumab is being investigated in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (NCT02718716) and myasthenia gravis (NCT03052751).

Journal Keywords: FcRn; rozanolixizumab; UCB7665; autoantibody; autoimmunity; FcRn blockade; immune thrombocytopenia; myasthenia gravis; target-mediated drug disposition; IgG catabolism

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Medicine


Instruments: I04-Macromolecular Crystallography

Added On: 30/08/2018 10:37

Documents:
Generation and characterization of a high affinity anti human FcRn antibody rozanolixizumab and the effects of different molecular formats on the.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Non-Communicable Diseases Autoimmune Diseases Health & Wellbeing Structural biology Drug Discovery Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Diffraction Macromolecular Crystallography (MX)