Reshaping the standard of care for inflammatory and immune diseases

Our most advanced program, APG777, has been engineered to bind to and inhibit IL-13, preventing the onset of an exaggerated immune response. IL-13 is a protein that plays an essential role in the body’s immune response. IL-13 is often overproduced in atopic dermatitis, leading to a weakened skin barrier that allows bacteria and pathogens to enter the skin more easily and exacerbated inflammatory responses which can cause itching, red skin, and further damage. IL-13 is a well-established target for the treatment of AD. APG777 has also been designed to bind to FcRn with high affinity, extending half-life considerably and potentially requiring less frequent dosing.

Our second most advanced program, APG808, has been engineered to bind to and block IL-4Ra[EC1] to modulate dysregulated immune activity and to FcRn with high affinity to extend antibody half-life and potentially requiring less frequent dosing. IL-4Ra is a protein receptor that interacts with IL-13 and IL-4 as part of the body’s natural inflammatory response. In COPD, this inflammatory signaling occurs more frequently and can trigger an exaggerated immune response. IL-4Ra is a well-established target for the treatment of COPD.

Our third program, APG990, has been engineered to bind to OX40L, blocking interactions with OX40 and rebalancing cellular immune responses in AD. OX40L and its receptor, OX40, are important regulators of cellular immune responses. Imbalances in the OX40L and OX40 system and, thus, imbalances between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory T cells, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. Inhibiting the OX40-OX40L pathway could represent another therapeutic option for people living with AD, especially for those who do not benefit from currently available treatments. APG990 has also been designed to bind to FcRn with high affinity, extending biologic circulation times potentially requiring less frequent dosing.

Our fourth program, APG222, is designed to address multiple immune signaling intervention points through the dual inhibition of OX40L and IL-13, which we believe could provide benefit for people living with AD and other I&I indications.