Benzinga | Feb 22, 2021 04:09PM EST

Celldex Therapeutics Reports Expansion Of Development Of CDX-0159 Into Prurigo Nodularis

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLDX) today announced that the Company will expand clinical development of CDX-0159 into prurigo nodularis (PN), a chronic skin disease characterized by the development of hard, intensely itchy (pruritic) nodules on the skin. Mast cells through their interactions with sensory neurons and other immune cells are believed to play an important role in amplifying chronic itch and neuroinflammation, both of which are a hallmark of PN. CDX-0159 is a humanized monoclonal antibody developed by Celldex that binds the KIT receptor with high specificity and potently inhibits its activity. The KIT receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed in a variety of cells, including mast cells, which mediate inflammatory responses such as hypersensitivity and allergic reactions.

In a Phase 1a single dose, healthy volunteer study, CDX-0159 demonstrated profound and durable reductions of plasma tryptase, indicative of systemic mast cell suppression/ablation. Celldex is evaluating CDX-0159 in two ongoing Phase 1b clinical trials in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria and chronic inducible urticaria, both mast cell driven diseases. By exploring the potential of CDX-0159 to suppress chronic itch and neuroinflammation in PN, Celldex believes it may have the opportunity to expand future development to also include other chronic pruritic skin conditions and other medically significant conditions driven by itch and neuroinflammation.

Diane C. Young, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Celldex Therapeutics stated, "As we look to expand our clinical development plan for CDX-0159, we are considering a number of key factors, including the scientific rationale, patient need, the market opportunity and the clinical and regulatory path forward. We look forward to data this year from ongoing trials in chronic urticarias, and results from these studies will position us to evaluate expansion into other mast cell driven diseases where we believe suppressing mast cells will minimize patient symptoms. We have selected prurigo nodularis for further study because emerging science suggests mast cell activation plays an important role in amplifying a cascade of mediators that drive itch signaling with associated neuroinflammation. Here we aim to learn whether mast cell suppression with CDX-0159 can impact this cascade to diminish itch and allow for lesion healing. PN also offers an opportunity for an early clinical signal and could bring a much-needed treatment to patients while opening a door to development opportunities in other significant conditions driven by itch and neuroinflammation."

Individuals with PN develop multiple, sometimes hundreds, of elevated, hard, nodular lesions on the skin. Patients experience intense itch and other sensations such as stinging, burning and pain which often leads to scratching to the point of bleeding and increased pain. This scratching, in turn, causes more lesions to develop, perpetuating the disease cycle. PN significantly impacts quality of life, often leading to sleep disturbance, psychological distress, social isolation, anxiety and depression. There are currently no FDA approved therapies for PN, representing an area of significant unmet need. Physicians typically attempt to address the immunological or neural component of PN through the use of topical therapies, which are not effective for many patients. While PN is classified as a rare disease by some organizations, a report by John Hopkins University1 suggests that prevalence of PN may be substantially under-reported, in part because of other underlying dermatologic or systemic conditions. Celldex anticipates initiating the study in PN in the fourth quarter of 2021. Celldex continues to assess potential opportunities for CDX-0159 in other diseases where mast cells play an important role, such as dermatologic, respiratory, allergic, gastrointestinal and ophthalmic conditions.