Zura Bio Launches Global Phase 2 TibuSURE Study to Evaluate Tibulizumab in Adults With Systemic Sclerosis

Rhea-AI Summary

Zura Bio (NASDAQ: ZURA) has launched TibuSURE, a global Phase 2 study evaluating tibulizumab for treating systemic sclerosis (SSc) in adults. The study marks the first clinical trial designed to investigate both anti-BAFF and IL-17 pathways in systemic sclerosis. Tibulizumab's dual-pathway approach aims to provide deeper efficacy compared to single-pathway inhibition, which has shown modest effects in rheumatic diseases like SSc.

The company believes this novel strategy of concurrently targeting two pivotal pathways involved in inflammation and fibrosis could address the multi-organ pathology of SSc, a heterogeneous and complex autoimmune disease with effective therapies currently available.

Positive

• First clinical trial targeting both anti-BAFF and IL-17 pathways in systemic sclerosis
• Novel dual-pathway approach potentially offering better efficacy than single-pathway treatments
• Addresses an unmet medical need in a life-threatening autoimmune disease

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The initiation of TibuSURE, a global Phase 2 study for tibulizumab in systemic sclerosis (SSc), represents a notable development in the autoimmune disease treatment landscape. The dual-pathway mechanism targeting both BAFF and IL-17 is scientifically compelling, as previous single-pathway treatments have shown efficacy in SSc.

SSc affects approximately 100,000 people in the US with a significant unmet medical need. The current treatment market for SSc is valued at approximately $2 billion globally. Tibulizumab's novel approach could potentially capture a substantial market share if proven effective, particularly given the lack of highly effective treatments.

For investors, key metrics to monitor will be the study's patient enrollment rate, interim safety data and any signals of efficacy in reducing both inflammatory and fibrotic processes. A successful Phase 2 outcome could position Zura Bio competitively in the SSc treatment space, where few effective options exist.

Financial Analyst

This clinical trial initiation is strategically significant for Zura Bio's market position and potential future revenue streams. With a relatively modest market cap of $150.8 million, successful development of tibulizumab could substantially impact the company's valuation. The global SSc therapeutics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% through 2030.

The dual-pathway approach could differentiate tibulizumab from existing treatments, potentially commanding premium pricing if approved. Phase 2 success would likely trigger increased institutional investor interest and potential partnership opportunities with larger pharmaceutical companies. However, investors should note that clinical development in SSc has historically been challenging, with several failed trials in the space.

• TibuSURE is the first clinical trial designed to investigate anti-BAFF and IL-17 pathways in systemic sclerosis.

• TibuSURE launches with the initiation of its first clinical site.

HENDERSON, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zura Bio Limited (Nasdaq: ZURA) (“Zura Bio”), a clinical stage, multi-asset immunology company developing novel dual-pathway antibodies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, today announced the launch of TibuSURE, a Phase 2 global study evaluating tibulizumab for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in adults.

Phase 2 TibuSURE study will evaluate tibulizumab in adults with systemic sclerosis (SSc). (Graphic: Business Wire)

"Single-pathway inhibition has demonstrated modest effects in rheumatic diseases like SSc. This is why we believe tibulizumab's dual-pathway approach holds the potential to be best-in-class, aiming to provide deeper efficacy and greater benefits for patients affected by this life-threatening autoimmune disease,” said Kiran Nistala, MBBS, PhD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development at Zura Bio. “The initiation of the TibuSURE study marks a significant milestone in addressing certain urgent, unmet needs of this patient population and advancing our mission to improve the lives of those affected by autoimmune and inflammatory conditions."

“Systemic sclerosis is a heterogeneous and complex autoimmune disease characterized by both inflammatory and fibrotic processes, for which effective therapies remain limited,” said Christopher Denton, PhD, FRCP, FMedSci, Professor of Experimental Rheumatology at the University College London and Consultant Rheumatologist and Head of the Centre for Rheumatology at the Royal Free Hospital, London. “Tibulizumab’s dual-targeting mechanism offers a novel strategy by concurrently targeting two pivotal pathways involved in inflammation and fibrosis. This mechanism holds the potential to address the multi-organ pathology of SSc and help improve the lives of patients with SSc.”

ABOUT TibuSURE

TibuSURE is a global Phase 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of tibulizumab in approximately 80 participants with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). The study includes a 24-week efficacy period and a 28-week open-label extension (OLE). The primary endpoint is the modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), with key efficacy endpoints including lung disease assessed by quantitative high-resolution computed tomography (qHRCT) and forced vital capacity (FVC), physical function measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and the revised Combined Response Index in Systemic Sclerosis (rCRISS).

ABOUT SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), also known as scleroderma, is a rare, life-threatening autoimmune disease affecting approximately 300,000 individuals worldwide, including around 100,000 in the United States. Characterized by chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis of connective tissues, SSc primarily affects the skin and lungs but can also impact the heart, liver, kidneys, digestive tract, and vascular system. The most common symptoms of SSc include skin thickening and extreme sensitivity to cold in the extremities. The disease can also affect other organs and tissues, leading to muscle numbness and swelling, joint stiffness and reduced mobility, fibrosis in the lungs and heart, kidney dysfunction, and gastrointestinal issues such as difficulty swallowing, heartburn, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

There remains a high unmet medical need due to the limited treatment options available for individuals living with SSc. Currently, only two disease-modifying therapies are FDA-approved for severe lung complications of the disease (i.e., SSc-ILD), and no effective treatment exists that addresses the disease across multiple organ systems.

ABOUT TIBULIZUMAB

Tibulizumab, an investigational humanized, tetravalent bispecific dual-antagonist antibody, is a fusion of Taltz® (ixekizumab) and tabalumab, engineered to bind to and neutralize both IL-17A and BAFF. Tibulizumab is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in adults with systemic sclerosis and is expected to enter Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa in Q2 2025. Before in-licensing, Phase 1/1b studies of tibulizumab were conducted in Sjögren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Tibulizumab is an investigational compound that is not approved for marketing by the FDA or any other regulatory authority.

ABOUT ZURA BIO

Zura Bio is a clinical-stage, multi-asset immunology company developing novel dual-pathway antibodies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Currently, Zura Bio is developing three assets which have completed Phase 1/1b studies. The company is developing a portfolio of therapeutic indications for tibulizumab (ZB-106), crebankitug (ZB-168), and torudokimab (ZB-880), with a goal of demonstrating their efficacy, safety, and dosing convenience in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including systemic sclerosis and other novel indications with unmet needs.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “would,” “seem,” “seek,” “outlook,” “goal,” “mission,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication. These forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the potential of tibulizumab's dual-pathway approach to be best-in-class and to provide deeper efficacy and greater benefits for patients affected by SSc; the ability of tibulizumab to address certain unmet needs and improve the lives of patients with SSc; and expectations with respect to Zura Bio’s development program, including regulatory matters, clinical trials and the design and timing thereof. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability.

Actual events are difficult or impossible to predict and could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, but are not limited to: Zura Bio’s expectations regarding its product candidates and their related benefits, and Zura Bio’s beliefs regarding competing product candidates and products both in development and approved, may not be achieved; Zura Bio's vision and strategy may not be successful; the timing of key events and initiation of Zura Bio's studies, regulatory matters and release of clinical data may take longer than anticipated or may not be achieved at all; the potential general acceptability and maintenance of Zura Bio's product candidates by regulatory authorities, payors, physicians, and patients may not be achieved; Zura Bio's ability to attract and retain key personnel; Zura Bio's expectations with respect to its future operating expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing may not be achieved; Zura Bio has not completed any clinical trials, and has no products approved for commercial sale; Zura Bio has incurred significant losses since inception, and expects to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future and may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability in the future; Zura Bio requires substantial additional capital to finance its operations, and if it is unable to raise such capital when needed or on acceptable terms, Zura Bio may be forced to delay, reduce, and/or eliminate one or more of its development programs or future commercialization efforts; Zura Bio may be unable to renew existing contracts or enter into new contracts; Zura Bio relies on third-party contract development manufacturing organizations for the manufacture of clinical materials; Zura Bio relies on contract research organizations, clinical trial sites, and other third parties to conduct of its preclinical studies and clinical trials; Zura Bio may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for its product candidates, and there may be related restrictions or limitations of any approved products; Zura Bio may be unable to successfully respond to general economic and geopolitical conditions; Zura Bio may be unable to effectively manage growth; Zura Bio faces competitive pressures from other companies worldwide; Zura Bio may be unable to adequately protect its intellectual property rights; and other factors set forth in documents filed, or to be filed by Zura Bio, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Zura Bio's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other filings with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties may be amplified by health epidemics or other unanticipated global disruption events, which may continue to cause economic uncertainty. Zura Bio cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive or exhaustive and not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Zura Bio gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations. Zura Bio does not undertake or accept any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223167603/en/

Megan K. Weinshank

Head of Corporate Affairs

ir@zurabio.com

Source: Zura Bio Limited

FAQ

What is the purpose of Zura Bio's TibuSURE Phase 2 trial for ZURA stock?

The TibuSURE Phase 2 trial aims to evaluate tibulizumab's effectiveness in treating systemic sclerosis (SSc) in adults, using a novel dual-pathway approach targeting both anti-BAFF and IL-17 pathways.

How is Zura Bio's tibulizumab different from existing systemic sclerosis treatments?

Tibulizumab uses a unique dual-pathway approach targeting both anti-BAFF and IL-17 pathways, whereas existing treatments typically use single-pathway inhibition which has shown only modest effects.

What potential advantages does ZURA's tibulizumab offer for systemic sclerosis patients?

Tibulizumab's dual-targeting mechanism could potentially provide deeper efficacy and greater benefits by addressing both inflammatory and fibrotic processes in systemic sclerosis, targeting multiple organ pathology.

What milestone has ZURA achieved with the TibuSURE study launch?

ZURA has initiated its first clinical site for the TibuSURE global Phase 2 study, marking a significant step in developing a potential treatment for systemic sclerosis patients.