Overview

Abivax’s technology is based on cutting-edge science driven by the goal of developing therapeutics that harness the body’s natural regulatory mechanisms to stabilize the immune response in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. Abivax’s proprietary library of small-molecule candidates is stringently analyzed by the R&D team to select and develop agents optimally suited for this therapeutic approach.

Abivax is focused on developing therapies to effectively treat inflammatory bowel diseases and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Abivax has one program in clinical development with obefazimod to treat ulcerative colitis, another program in Crohn’s disease is also in preparation and other potential inflammatory indications are being evaluated.

Obefazimod for inflammatory bowel diseases and other inflammatory diseases

Abivax developed obefazimod from a chemical library of over 2,200 small molecules licensed from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the University of Montpellier and/or the Institut Curie.

Abivax is utilizing the anti-inflammatory properties of obefazimod to target inflammation in clinical trials. The discovery of the anti-inflammatory properties of obefazimod prompted the initiation of studies which position obefazimod as a drug candidate with the potential to treat ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory diseases.

How does obefazimod address inflammation?

Obefazimod, via its novel mechanism of action, is the first and only molecule that enhances the expression of miR-124, a natural regulator of the inflammatory response. Enhancing the expression of miR-124 results in decreases in cytokines and immune cells, helping to reduce inflammation and control the progression of diseases like UC.

ABX464/obefazimod is an investigational drug that has not been approved for commercial use in any jurisdiction.

Obefazimod Mechanism of Action in Ulcerative Colitis

IBD – a chronic disease with no cure

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic life-long immune-mediated inflammatory condition of the GI tract with many contributing factors, including genetic, environmental and immunologic. The two most common forms of IBD are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). While CD can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, UC only affects the colon and causes inflammation that can lead to rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and severe pain. Obefazimod is being studied in UC, the exact cause of which remains unknown. However, a dysregulated immune system and genetic influence are possible causes. Despite a number of different therapies approved for UC and CD, the vast majority of these therapies require chronic administration via injections or intravenous infusions, and may come with serious and concerning warnings, including, but not limited to, risks of serious infections leading to hospitalizations or death and increased risks of various malignancies.

A vast majority of IBD patients do not achieve clinical remission with existing therapies, and a significant number of patients will lose response over time, demonstrating a substantial unmet need. To learn more about UC and IBD, go to: