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.
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:
