Oxelumab (RG4930) is a fully human antibody developed by Genmab under our collaboration with Roche. Roche filed an Investigational New Drug application (IND) with the FDA for oxelumab in December 2007. Oxelumab selectively blocks the interaction of the OX40 ligand (OX40L) and its receptor and may be developed to treat autoimmune diseases.
Pre-Clinical Studies
In pre-clinical data published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, treatment with oxelumab lead to significant therapeutic effects in a nonhuman primate model of allergic inflammation. The mechanisms of action of oxelumab include effective blockade of OX40L binding to its receptor and depletion of cells expressing OX40L. Depletion of OX40L-expressing cells was shown to depend on interaction of immune effector cells with the therapeutic antibody. The observed in vivo efficacy of oxelumab may also involve restoration of peripheral tolerance mechanisms. Breaking of tolerance promotes development of autoimmune and allergic diseases.