Acelyrin, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLRN) is set to host a virtual investor event on January 6, 2025, to share updated Phase 2 data and the Phase 3 program design for its investigational drug, subcutaneous lonigutamab, in Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). The announcement highlights the potential of lonigutamab to offer a best-in-class efficacy and safety profile for patients suffering from this debilitating autoimmune condition.
The investor event will feature insights from key opinion leaders, including Drs. Andrea Kossler from Stanford University School of Medicine and Prem Subramanian from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, both members of Acelyrin’s Scientific and Patient Advisory Boards. These experts will provide perspectives on the continuing unmet needs in TED and discuss the design of the Phase 3 LONGITUDE program.
Phase 3 LONGITUDE Program
The LONGITUDE program was developed following a successful End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA and is designed to be the most inclusive registrational program to date in TED. This suggests a broad patient population and a comprehensive approach to evaluating the drug's efficacy and safety.
Lonigutamab: A Novel Approach to TED Treatment
Lonigutamab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor. It is administered subcutaneously, offering a more convenient delivery method compared to standard of care. Preclinical data suggest that lonigutamab binds to a distinct epitope, leading to rapid internalization of the receptor and demonstrating higher potency in laboratory assays. This unique mechanism of action and subcutaneous delivery could potentially lead to longer-term dosing regimens, improving both the depth and durability of clinical response.
Thyroid Eye Disease: An Unmet Medical Need
Thyroid Eye Disease is a progressive, vision-threatening autoimmune condition affecting an estimated 100,000 people in the United States. TED involves inflammation and expansion of tissues behind the eye, leading to proptosis (eye bulging) and the inability to close the eyelids. This can result in double vision (diplopia) and, in severe cases, compression of the optic nerve, potentially causing blindness. The need for more effective and convenient treatments for TED remains significant, and lonigutamab represents a promising advancement in this area.
