Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (SHA: 600276) announced that it has received another clinical trial approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its IL-17A monoclonal antibody (mAb), vunakizumab. The Chinese company plans to study the drug as a treatment for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).
Drug Background
Vunakizumab is intended for the treatment of autoimmune diseases related to the IL-17 pathway. It was approved in China in August 2024 for use in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis suitable for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Other IL-17A products that have been approved include Novartis’ Cosentyx (secukinumab), Eli Lilly’s Taltz (ixekizumab), Biocad’s Efleira (netakimab), and Genrix Bio’s xeligekimab.
Clinical Trial Details
The new approval from the NMPA allows Hengrui to conduct clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vunakizumab in treating nr-axSpA. This expands the potential indications for the drug and further strengthens Hengrui’s position in the autoimmune disease treatment market.-Fineline Info & Tech
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