Xinnate Advances TCP-25 for Epidermolysis Bullosa with FDA IND Approval and First Clinical Publication
Key Insights
Xinnate (search) received FDA IND approval for TCP-25, a novel topical immunomodulatory peptide for treating Epidermolysis Bullosa (search), enabling the pivotal Phase 2/3 STEP study.
The company published first-in-human Phase 1 study results showing TCP-25 gel was safe and well tolerated in dystrophic EB (search) patients with no systemic uptake.
Exploratory assessments demonstrated consistent reduction in open wound size in TCP-25-treated wounds, indicating potential for accelerated wound healing.
Xinnate (search) has achieved two significant milestones in developing TCP-25, a novel topical immunomodulatory peptide for Epidermolysis Bullosa (search) (EB), with FDA approval of its Investigational New Drug application and publication of promising Phase 1 clinical results. The regulatory clearance enables the company to proceed with its pivotal Phase 2/3 STEP study while published data demonstrate the treatment's safety profile and potential efficacy in this severe rare disease.
FDA IND Approval Enables Pivotal Study
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Xinnate (search)'s IND application for TCP-25, positioning the company's lead asset for a pivotal Phase 2/3 program and creating a clear path toward U.S. market entry. The approval enables initiation of The STEP study, a pivotal Phase 2/3 clinical program designed to evaluate TCP-25 in patients with dystrophic and junctional EB (search).
"The opening of the IND for TCP-25 is a validation of our data package and represents a major milestone in Xinnate (search)'s clinical development strategy, significantly strengthening our regulatory position in the U.S. market," said Helene Hartman, CEO of Xinnate.
The STEP study is designed as a placebo-controlled, randomized, multi-center trial that will enroll patients across Europe and the United States. The program is fully funded, with topline results expected in the first half of 2027. Backed by FDA input, the study has been strategically designed to potentially support a future market-approval pathway, positioning TCP-25 as a potential first-in-class, patient-friendly topical immunomodulator for EB.
Phase 1 Results Demonstrate Safety and Efficacy Signals
Xinnate (search) has published results from its first-in-human, open-label, single-arm clinical study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and systemic exposure of topically applied TCP-25 in patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa (search). The study results were published in Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases by Karl Wallblom, Katja Holmgren, Sigrid Lundgren, Emma Belfrage, Torborg Hoppe, Matilda Hugerth, Anna-Karin Lindqvist, Enikö Sonkoly, and Artur Schmidtchen.
In this Phase 1 study, topical administration of TCP-25 gel was safe and well tolerated in patients with dystrophic EB (search), with no detectable systemic uptake. Exploratory clinical assessments showed a consistent reduction in open wound size in TCP-25-treated wounds, indicating potential for accelerated wound healing.
Novel Mechanism Addresses Unmet Medical Need
TCP-25 is a novel immunomodulatory thrombin-derived C-terminal peptide with demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. Xinnate (search)'s lead drug candidate, TCP-25 gel, is a topical formulation developed specifically for the treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa (search), a severe, debilitating, and currently underserved rare disease.
The company's proprietary peptide technology is designed to restore balance in dysfunctional wound healing by targeting the critical interplay between microbial triggers and inflammatory responses. This approach aims to deliver transformative treatments for EB and other inflammatory skin disorders with high unmet medical need.
Commercial Development Strategy
With the IND now open, Xinnate (search) is actively engaging with commercial partners and investors to accelerate global development and maximize the commercial potential of TCP-25 within the rare-disease and dermatology markets. The regulatory clarity, combined with the program's advanced stage and robust mechanistic rationale, underscores Xinnate's momentum as it moves toward late-stage development.
The company has completed a three-part Phase 1 clinical study of TCP-25 gel, including evaluation in patients with EB, and is now preparing to launch the pivotal Phase 2/3 STEP study, expected to begin before the end of 2025.