IP Group subsidiary pleased with arthritis drug progress

Intellectual property-based business IP Group noted on Wednesday morning that Istesso, formerly Modern Biosciences, has announced new data from a cohort of patients dosed as part of a phase 1 study of MBS2320, its investigational drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

The FTSE 250 firm said MBS2320 was “safe and well-tolerated” in those patients, and showed no interaction with background therapy.

In addition, it said positive trends consistent with MBS2320's mode of action were observed in biomarkers of inflammation and bone metabolism.

“These positive Phase 1 data from patients are very encouraging,” said Dr Sam Williams, CEO of Istesso and head of biotech for IP Group.

“We look forward to the results from our ongoing Phase 2a study for MBS2320 late next year and progress with Istesso's other pipeline products which, like MBS2320, reprogramme metabolism to treat autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and ulcerative colitis.”

In its statement, IP Group described MBS2320 as a first-in-class metabolic reprogramming agent for the treatment of RA, which was distinguished from existing RA treatments by its dual mode-of-action which directly targeted both inflammation and bone degradation.

As previously announced by Istesso, MBS2320 had reportedly already demonstrated good safety and tolerability and predictable pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers as part of the phase 1 study.

A cohort of eight RA patients was included in the study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of MBS2320 in patients taking methotrexate, a standard background RA therapy, and whether there is any interaction between the drugs.

No interaction was observed, the board reported.

“In pre-clinical models of RA, MBS2320 has demonstrated an ability to reduce inflammation and promote remodelling of damaged bone,” IP Group’s statement read.

“In the patient cohort, changes in biomarkers of inflammation, bone degradation and bone formation were observed that are consistent with this dual mode-of-action.”

MBS2320 was currently being dosed as part of a Phase 2a study in RA, for which data was expected in late 2018.

The Phase 2a study was a 12-week randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-centre trial assessing the safety, tolerability and efficacy of MBS2320, and Istesso said it anticipated that results would be available in late 2018.

Istesso is a majority-owned subsidiary of IP Group, and its results are consolidated into those of the group rather than being included as a portfolio company held at fair value.