Equillium Announces Update on Multi-Cytokine Inhibitors EQ101 & EQ102 in Development for Alopecia Areata and Celiac Disease
- EQ101 Phase 2 study in alopecia areata fully enrolled
- Topline data for EQ101 expected in Q2 2024
- 36 patients enrolled in the EQ101 study
- EQ302 to be advanced in place of further development of EQ102
- None.
Insights
The announcement from Equillium, Inc. regarding the completion of enrollment for the EQ101 Phase 2 study in alopecia areata and the strategic shift to EQ302 from EQ102 is significant for stakeholders. The enrollment of 36 patients, with a high proportion of very severe cases, indicates a targeted approach to a condition with unmet medical needs. The safety profile of EQ101, as suggested by the tolerability over the 24-week dosing period, could be crucial given the concerns around JAK inhibitors, which are currently approved treatments.
Further, the pivot towards EQ302, based on its increased potency and optimal delivery, could streamline the company's pipeline and focus resources on a candidate with a potentially better market fit. This decision underscores the importance of drug bioavailability and the competitive advantage of oral delivery mechanisms in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The preclinical data suggesting superior stability and permeability of EQ302 imply a strategic move that may enhance the company's value proposition in the long run.
The strategic update by Equillium, Inc. has implications for the company's financial health and investor confidence. The transition from EQ102 to the more promising EQ302 suggests a reallocation of resources that could optimize R&D expenditures. Investors should note that the success of EQ302 in preclinical studies does not guarantee similar outcomes in human trials, but it does indicate a proactive approach to pipeline management.
Topline data expected in Q2 2024 for the EQ101 study will be a significant milestone for the company and could impact the stock's performance. Positive results may lead to an increase in the company's valuation, while any setbacks could pose risks. The long-term potential of EQ302, if proven effective, may open up new market opportunities and drive future revenue streams for Equillium.
Equillium's focus on novel therapeutics for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders places them in a competitive and fast-evolving industry. The alopecia areata market is currently witnessing an increase in therapeutic options and a favorable safety and efficacy profile of EQ101 could position Equillium advantageously against JAK inhibitors.
The shift from EQ102 to EQ302 reflects an industry trend towards optimizing drug delivery and potency. Oral delivery systems are particularly desirable for chronic conditions as they improve patient compliance and quality of life. If EQ302's gut-restricted activity is confirmed, it could represent a significant advancement in treating gastrointestinal and skin diseases, potentially capturing a sizable market share.
EQ101 Phase 2 study in alopecia areata is fully enrolled with topline data expected in Q2 2024
EQ302, an orally delivered multi-cytokine inhibitor of IL-15 & IL-21, will be advanced in place of further clinical development of EQ102 based on EQ302’s optimal delivery and increased potency
“We are pleased to have completed enrollment of the EQ101 Phase 2 study in alopecia areata,” said Bruce Steel, chief executive officer at Equillium. “We have enrolled a total of 36 patients in the study, of which 13, or 36 percent, had very severe alopecia areata. These patients are in need of new treatments that may have an improved safety profile compared to recently approved JAK inhibitors. While the study remains ongoing, to date EQ101 has been well tolerated over the 24-week dosing period. We expect to announce top-line data in Q2 2024.”
EQ101 Alopecia Areata Phase 2 Study Baseline Characteristics:
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36 patients enrolled:
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17 male and 19 female;
64% Caucasian - Age range of 18 to 60 years (mean age 38.2 years)
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17 male and 19 female;
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Disease severity of patients at enrollment as defined by Severity of ALopecia Tool (SALT):
- Mean SALT score of 76
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17% Moderate (SALT score 35 to 49) -
50% Severe (SALT score 50 to 94) -
33% Very Severe (SALT score >95% )
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27 patients (
75% ) had been on previous treatments with 11 of those patients having history of oral treatments (including steroids, minoxidil, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil) and one patient having previous treatment with a systemic JAK inhibitor
EQ102 & EQ302
“EQ102 is a first-in-class, bi-specific inhibitor of IL-15 and IL-21, two cytokines central to T and B cell activity, that exhibit biological synergy driving aggressive inflammatory responses in a number of gastrointestinal and skin diseases, highlighting the importance of dual inhibition,” said Steve Connelly, chief scientific officer at Equillium. “While EQ102 was generally well tolerated and demonstrated pharmacodynamic activity in the SAD/MAD portions of the study, the bioavailability of this initial formulation was lower than expected. Given our recent progress with EQ302, a potential first-in-class, second generation, orally delivered stapled peptide targeting IL-15 and IL-21, we intend to transition away from further developing EQ102, to advance EQ302 towards the clinic for the potential treatment of patients with gastrointestinal and skin diseases. Preclinical and translational data have demonstrated that EQ302 has increased potency compared to EQ102, is both stable and permeable in the gut, and can be further modified for optimal systemic or gut-restricted activity. Based on the superior product profile of EQ302, and the significant clinical and commercial advantages of orally delivered therapies in these disease settings, we believe advancing EQ302 is a better long-term strategy. This development also illustrates the utility and modularity of our multi-cytokine platform in generating novel, first-in-class therapeutic candidates.”
About Equillium
Equillium is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging a deep understanding of immunobiology to develop novel therapeutics to treat severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders with high unmet medical need. The company’s pipeline consists of the following novel first-in-class immunomodulatory assets and product platform targeting immuno-inflammatory pathways. EQ101: a selective tri-specific cytokine inhibitor targeting IL-2, IL-9, and IL-15; currently under evaluation in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical study of patients with alopecia areata being conducted in
For more information, visit www.equilliumbio.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking Statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “continue”, “expect”, “estimate”, “may”, “plan”, “outlook”, “future” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Equillium’s plans for developing EQ101 and EQ302 and the expected timeline for topline data for the EQ101 Phase 2 study, the plan to advance EQ302 into the clinic, the potential for EQ 302 to be a first-in-class therapeutic candidate, the potential benefits of EQ101 and EQ302, and the belief that advancing EQ302 is a better long-term strategy. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Equillium’s control, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: Equillium’s ability to execute its plans and strategies; risks related to performing clinical and pre-clinical studies; whether the results from clinical and pre-clinical studies will validate and support the safety and efficacy of Equillium’s product candidates; whether the advancement of EQ302 will be a better long-term strategy; Equillium’s ability to execute its plans and strategies; the risk that interim results of a clinical study do not necessarily predict final results and that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues, following more comprehensive reviews of the data, and as more patient data become available; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical studies and the reporting of data therefrom; the risk that studies will not be completed as planned; Equillium’s plans and product development, including the initiation and completion of clinical studies and the reporting of data therefrom; changes in the competitive landscape; and uncertainties related to Equillium’s capital requirements. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Equillium's filings and reports, which may be accessed for free by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website and on Equillium’s website under the heading “Investors.” Investors should take such risks into account and should not rely on forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Equillium undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.
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Investor Contact
Michael Moore
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
619-302-4431
ir@equilliumbio.com
Source: Equillium, Inc.
FAQ
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