Allakos Announces Expansion of Lirentelimab Development into Atopic Dermatitis, Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria and Asthma

Rhea-AI Summary

Allakos Inc. (Nasdaq: ALLK) announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial for lirentelimab in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. This study will enroll around 240 patients over 16 weeks. Plans were also revealed for Phase 2/3 trials for chronic spontaneous urticaria in mid-2022 and asthma by Q4 2022. Lirentelimab targets Siglec-8, aimed at treating eosinophil and mast cell-driven diseases, highlighting its potential in various inflammatory conditions.

Positive

• Initiation of Phase 2 trial for lirentelimab in atopic dermatitis, potentially addressing a market of 6.6 million US adults.
• Anticipated Phase 2/3 trials for chronic spontaneous urticaria and asthma, expanding lirentelimab's indications.

Negative

• Phase 2 trials' results remain uncertain, posing a risk to lirentelimab's future prospects.
• Dependence on regulatory approvals and patient enrollment could delay anticipated clinical progress.

– Phase 2 Atopic Dermatitis trial of subcutaneous lirentelimab initiated –
– Phase 2/3 Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria trial of subcutaneous lirentelimab to begin in mid 2022 –
– Phase 2 Asthma trial of subcutaneous lirentelimab to begin in Q4 2022 –
– Additional indications planned in 2023 –

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allakos Inc. (the “Company” or “Allakos”) (Nasdaq: ALLK), a biotechnology company developing lirentelimab (AK002) for the treatment of eosinophil and mast cell-related diseases, today announced it has initiated a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of subcutaneous (SC) lirentelimab in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The company also announced plans to initiate two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of SC lirentelimab in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (middle of 2022) and in moderate-to-severe, uncontrolled asthma patients with and without an eosinophilic phenotype (Q4 2022). Atopic dermatitis, chronic spontaneous urticaria and asthma are complex, chronic inflammatory diseases believed to be driven by activated eosinophils and mast cells.

“Lirentelimab’s novel mechanism of action targeting Siglec-8 has the potential to help patients with eosinophil and mast cell driven diseases,” said Craig Paterson, M.D., chief medical officer of Allakos. “Advancing these programs is an important next step in pursuing the broader potential of lirentelimab beyond eosinophilic gastrointestinal indications and could highlight the ability of lirentelimab to treat a variety of diseases.”

Subcutaneous Lirentelimab in Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic pruritic inflammatory condition that is characterized by dry, red, itchy patches of skin. Atopic dermatitis affects approximately 16.5 million (7.3%) adults in the United States (US), of which approximately 6.6 million (40%) have moderate-to-severe disease¹. The Phase 2 study in atopic dermatitis is a 16-week, multicentered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that will enroll approximately 240 adult patients with moderate-to-severe disease who are inadequately controlled by topical treatments. Patients will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive four monthly subcutaneous doses of either: (a) lirentelimab 450 mg, (b) lirentelimab 150 mg, or (c) placebo. The primary endpoint will be the proportion of patients who achieve an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1 with >2-point improvement at week 16.

Subcutaneous Lirentelimab in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Chronic spontaneous urticaria is an often-debilitating skin condition characterized by frequent and unpredictable eruption of hives, severe itching and swelling. The disease affects up to 3.5 million patients in the U.S., of which half are refractory to standard-of-care antihistamines². The planned Phase 2/3 study in chronic spontaneous urticaria will be a multicentered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients who are naïve to omalizumab and refractory to antihistamines. The primary end point of the trial will be the reduction of itch-severity score (ISS7).

Subcutaneous Lirentelimab in Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs that leads to narrowing and swelling of the airways, making it difficult to breath. Moderate-to-severe, uncontrolled asthma affects approximately 1 million adults in the U.S.^3,4, of which 50% have an eosinophilic phenotype and 50% patients have a non-eosinophilic phenotype⁵. The planned Phase 2 study in moderate-to-severe, uncontrolled asthma patients with and without an eosinophilic phenotype will be a multicentered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The primary end point of the trial will be the reduction of annualized asthma exacerbation rate.

About Allakos

Allakos is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing antibodies that target immunomodulatory receptors present on immune effector cells involved in allergic, inflammatory, and proliferative diseases. The Company’s lead antibody, lirentelimab (AK002), is an investigational medicine and is being evaluated in a Phase 3 study in eosinophilic gastritis (EG) and/or eosinophilic duodenitis (EoD), a phase 2/3 study in eosinophilic esophagitis and a Phase 2 study in atopic dermatitis. The company plans to initiate a Phase 2/3 study in chronic spontaneous urticaria and a Phase 2 study in asthma in the middle of 2022 and Q4 2022, respectively. Lirentelimab targets Siglec-8, an inhibitory receptor selectively expressed on human eosinophils and mast cells. 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. 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 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, Allakos’ progress and business plans, the expected timing of anticipated study results and plans relating to its future clinical trials. 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’ stages of clinical drug development; Allakos’ ability to timely complete clinical trials for, and if approved, commercialize lirentelimab (AK002), its lead compound; Allakos’ ability to obtain required regulatory approvals for its product candidates; uncertainties related to the enrollment of patients in its clinical trials; Allakos’ ability to demonstrate sufficient safety and efficacy of its product candidates in its clinical trials; uncertainties related to the success of later-stage clinical trials, regardless of the outcomes of preclinical testing and early-stage trials; market acceptance of Allakos’ product candidates; uncertainties related to the projections of the size of patient populations suffering from the diseases Allakos is targeting; Allakos’ ability to advance additional product candidates beyond lirentelimab; Allakos’ ability to obtain additional capital to finance its operations; and other important risk factors set forth in Allakos’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 8, 2021, and future reports to be filed with the SEC. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the actual results for Allakos to differ materially from those contained in Allakos’ forward-looking statements. 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. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Allakos’ views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Source: Allakos Inc.
¹ Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
² Maurer et al. Allergy. 2011 Mar;66(3):317-30
³ Walford H., J Asthma Allergy. 2014; 7: 53–65
⁴ CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) May 6, 2011 / 60(17); 547552
⁵ J Allergy Clinical Immunology Volume 124, Number 3 September 2009

Investor Contact:
Adam Tomasi, President and COO
Alex Schwartz, VP Strategic Finance and Investor Relations
ir@allakos.com

Media Contact:
Denise Powell
denise@redhousecomms.com

 

FAQ

What are the latest developments for Allakos (ALLK) regarding lirentelimab?

Allakos has initiated a Phase 2 trial for lirentelimab in atopic dermatitis and plans trials for chronic spontaneous urticaria and asthma.

When will Allakos' asthma trial for lirentelimab begin?

The asthma trial for lirentelimab is expected to begin in Q4 2022.

How many patients will be enrolled in the atopic dermatitis trial for lirentelimab by Allakos?

The trial will enroll approximately 240 adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

What is the primary endpoint for the atopic dermatitis trial of lirentelimab?

The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients achieving an Investigator Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 with a greater than 2-point improvement at week 16.

What is lirentelimab targeting in its mechanism of action?

Lirentelimab targets Siglec-8, aimed at treating diseases driven by eosinophils and mast cells.