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Kodiak Sciences Expands Development Pipeline with Treatment of First Patient in Phase 1 Clinical Study of KSI-501, an Investigational Bispecific Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate for Retinal Diseases
PALO ALTO, Calif., April 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kodiak Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq: KOD), a biopharmaceutical company committed to researching, developing and
About this update from Kodiak Sciences Inc
[{"type":"text","content":"PALO ALTO, Calif., April 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kodiak Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq: KOD), a biopharmaceutical company committed to researching, developing and commercializing transformative therapeutics to treat high prevalence retinal diseases, announced today that the first patient has been treated in the Phase 1 study of KSI-501, an investigational bispecific antibody biopolymer conjugate targeting both VEGF and IL-6. KSI-501 is the second product candidate built on Kodiak's Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate (ABC) Platform to enter the clinic.\nThe Phase 1 study of KSI-501 is being conducted in the USA as an open-label, multiple ascending dose study and initially is enrolling patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). The primary objectives of the Phase 1 study are to evaluate ocular and systemic safety and to establish a maximum tolerated dose.\n\"We are proud to continue to be a key early participant in Kodiak's Phase 1 clinical studies,\" said Mark R. Barakat, M.D., an investigator in the study and Director of the Retinal Research Institute at Retinal Consultants of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ. \"From our experience with tarcocimab tedromer, Kodiak's first ABC product candidate, we know that the ABC Platform has great potential for potent, durable responses in patients with retinal diseases. KSI-501 is unique in its dual mechanisms of action and inhibits both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). I am enthusiastic about the potential for KSI-501 with its anti-IL-6 activity to achieve a greater therapeutic benefit for patients whose retinal disease has an inflammatory component. We look forward to learning more about KSI-501's safety and bioactivity from the ongoing Phase 1 study.\"\n\"We are very pleased to have initiated dosing in the Phase 1 study of KSI-501,\" said Jason Ehrlich, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and Chief Development Officer of Kodiak Sciences. \"IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and growth factor implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple retinal diseases and, in conditions for which anti-VEGF treatment is used, elevated levels of ocular IL-6 have been associated with poor anti-VEGF treatment response. We believe KSI-501 represents a new category of retinal medicine, uniquely designed to provide potent inhibition of both VEGF-mediated vascular permeability and IL-6 mediated inflam...