XBiotech Announces Rapid Enrollment for its Randomized Multi-Center Clinical Study for Bermekimab in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Enrollment Rate Exceeds Expectation, Suggesting High Unmet Need and Anticipation for Bermekimab in HS
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 19, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XBiotech Inc. (NASDAQ: XBIT) today announces rapid enrollment in its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical study evaluating bermekimab in patients with moderate to severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). The study is chaired by renowned investigative dermatologist Alice Gottlieb, MD, PhD (Medical Director of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Campus and Clinical Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) and will enroll approximately 150 patients. XBiotech announced the first patient enrolled in the study on October 23, 2019. Today, XBiotech is already updating status of the study, reporting that 51 patients have now been randomized, or assigned to an investigational arm of the study.
Dr. Gottlieb commented, “The very strong participation by clinical sites and by patients is indicative of the substantial need for new therapy and of the favorable view of bermekimab.”
Ms. Ashley Otero, XBiotech’s Director of Clinical Operations, stated, “We are extremely excited about the robust enrollment seen to date. After only a few weeks since enrollment of the first patient, we have already randomized over one-third of the intended study population. If this pace continues, we will complete enrollment well ahead of our anticipated timing.”
Bermekimab has been tested in two previous clinical studies. In a recent open label study (n=42), 61% of patients with no prior biological therapy and 63% of patients who had failed previous biological therapy (i.e. adalimumab) achieved a positive HiSCR at 12 weeks. Additionally, the majority of patients in both groups achieved clinically significant reduction in pain from their disease. These results were presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in 2019.
In an earlier double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study which also evaluated bermekimab in the treatment of HS, the study’s primary endpoint was met, demonstrating significant improvement of HiSCR in patients treated with bermekimab compared to control after 12 weeks of therapy (response rate of 60% vs 10%, respectively (p=0.035)). These results have been published in a leading peer reviewed medical journal, the 1.
The primary endpoint for the current study is the percentage of subjects achieving a Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) at week 12. Multiple secondary efficacy endpoints will be assessed after 12 and 16 weeks of therapy, including: Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain and itch; Modified Sartorius Score; Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); and Patient Global Impression of Change and Severity (PGI-c, PGI-s). Please visit for a more complete description of the study.
About Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder affecting areas rich in apocrine glands. Nodules appear in the affected areas and progressively become swollen with spontaneous rupture and release of pus. This process occurs repeatedly leading to formation of deep sinus tracts and painful dermal abscesses1,[2]. Therefore, HS is often devastating for patients with significant impact on quality of life [3]. The Dermatology Quality Life Index (DQLI) for HS is 8.9, being higher than any other skin disorder4. Traditional treatments comprise of antibiotics, antiandrogens and surgery. The global prevalence for HS is estimated at up to 4% of the population 5.
About XBiotech
XBiotech is a fully integrated, global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic antibodies. XBiotech currently is advancing a pipeline of therapies based on harnessing naturally occurring antibodies from patients with immunity to certain diseases. The approach to use natural human immunity as a source of new medicines offers the potential to redefine the standards of care a wide range of diseases. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, XBiotech also is leading the development of innovative manufacturing technology to reduce the cost and complexity of biological drug production. For more information, visit .
About True Human™ Therapeutic Antibodies
XBiotech’s True Human™ antibodies are the only available antibodies derived without modification from humans who possess natural immunity to certain diseases. (Unlike all commercially available antibodies, which are called “Humanized” or “Fully Human”, XBiotech’s True Human™ antibodies are directly sourced from the natural human immune response for specific diseases without modification, and thereby have not been shown to cause immunogenicity.) With discovery and clinical programs across multiple disease areas, XBiotech’s True Human antibodies have the potential to harness the body’s natural immunity to fight disease with increased safety, efficacy and tolerability.
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Contact
Ashley Otero
512-386-2930
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1 Kanni T et al. MABp1 Targeting Interleukin-1Alpha for Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa not Eligible for Adalimumab: A Randomized Study. 2017 Nov 9.
2 Revuz J. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2009; 23: 985-998.
3 Alikhan A, Lynch PJ, Eisen DB. Hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive review. 2009 Apr;60(4):539-61; quiz 562-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.11.911.
4 Vasquez BG, Alikhan A, Weaver, AL, et al. Incidence of hidradenitis suppurativa and associated factors: a population-based study of Olmsted County, Minnesota. 2013 Jan;133(1):97-103. doi: 10.1038/jid.2012.255. Epub 2012 Aug 30.
5 Révuz JE, Canoui-Poitrine F, Wolkenstein P, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with hidradenitis suppurativa: results from two case-control studies. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008; 59: 695-701.
