AnaptysBio, Inc. announced the development of therapeutic antibody to interleukin-33 (IL-33). Discovered using the company's proprietary SHM-XEL platform, AnaptysBio's anti-IL-33 lead candidate antibody (ANB020) inhibits IL-33 cytokine function by blocking interaction with its receptor at low picomolar potency. The therapeutic mechanism of ANB020 is a promising new approach with potential for the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases mediated by Type 2 helper T (Th2) cells, including atopic dermatitis, severe asthma, allergenic rhinitis and food allergies.

IL-33 has also been implicated in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and tissue fibrosis. As a pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-33 is directly associated with tissue damage through activation of various Th2-type responses. Genetic studies have correlated elevated expression of IL-33 and its receptor with increased incidence of atopic dermatitis and severe asthma across a range of ethnic groups.

Attempts with previous antibody technologies have failed to generate therapeutic grade functional anti-IL33 antibodies. AnaptysBio's SHM-XEL platform has excelled in developing highly functional leads against biological targets previously thought to be intractable for antibody development.