Benzinga | Jun 11, 2021 09:53AM EDT

Equillium's Itolizumab Shows Rapid, Durable Responses In Graft-Versus-Host-Disease Patients

* Equillium Inc (NASDAQ:EQ) has announced positive topline data from the Phase 1b EQUATE study evaluating itolizumab in first-line acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD).

* The results were presented at the European Hematology Association 2021 Virtual Congress.

* All patients in the study (N=20) were evaluated as high-risk aGVHD and achieved complete response (CR) and overall response rates (ORR) at Day 29 of 55% and 70%, respectively.

* Responses observed were generally rapid -- within 15 days -- and durable through Day 29 and beyond.

* 14 patients were characterized as treatment na?ve -- receiving itolizumab within three days of first steroid administration -- and achieved CR and ORR of 64% and 71%, respectively.

* Additionally, responding patients experienced clinically meaningful reductions in steroid administration.

* Across all dosing cohorts, 60% of patients (12/20) reported serious adverse events, with only 10% (2/20) of these events reported as treatment-related. There were 4 (20%) adverse events that led to death, and none were treatment-related.

* Overall survival at month six across all dosing cohorts was 67%.

* The optimal dose range observed 0.8 to 1.6 mg/kg; no further dose escalation is anticipated.

* Price Action: EQ shares are down 11.4% at $6.19 during the market session on the last check Friday.