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Celldex Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 2 Study of Barzolvolimab in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
HAMPTON, N.J., June 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLDX) today announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2
About this update from Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"HAMPTON, N.J., June 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLDX) today announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2 clinical study of barzolvolimab for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Barzolvolimab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT with high specificity and potently inhibits its activity. CSU is characterized by the occurrence of hives or wheals for 6 weeks or longer without identifiable specific triggers or causes. The activation of the mast cells in the skin results in episodes of itchy hives, swelling and inflammation of the skin that can go on for years or even decades. “We are excited to advance barzolvolimab into Phase 2 as we believe it can produce potentially transformative therapeutic activity against CSU and other mast cell driven diseases,” said Diane C. Young, M.D, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Celldex Therapeutics. “The initiation of this study marks an important milestone for Celldex and for the patients we aim to benefit. CSU is an often serious and debilitating disease with significant impacts on patient quality of life, and there is a high unmet need for new treatment options.” Dr. Young continued, “This CSU study is part of our chronic urticaria program, where we are also moving forward with a second Phase 2 trial in chronic inducible urticaria, which is expected to initiate dosing shortly.” The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group Phase 2 study is evaluating the efficacy and safety profile of multiple dose regimens of barzolvolimab in patients with CSU who remain symptomatic despite antihistamine therapy, to determine the optimal dosing strategy. Approximately 168 patients will be randomly assigned on a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous injections of barzolvolimab at 75 mg every 4 weeks, 150 mg every 4 weeks, 300 mg every 8 weeks or placebo during a 16-week placebo-controlled treatment phase. Patients will then enter a 36-week active treatment phase, in which patients not already randomized to barzolvolimab at 150 mg every 4 weeks or 300 mg every 8 weeks will be randomized 1:1 to receive one of these two dose regimens; patients already randomized to these treatment arms will remain on the same regimen as during the placebo-controlled treatment...