Sinovac Biologics (SVA.US) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN.US) have collaborated to develop an IL-33 antibody in China for chronic sinusitis, which has been approved for clinical trials.

Today (January 15), the National Medical Products Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) officially announced that it approved the clinical trial of itepikimab injection, a new drug of class 1, which is reported by Sanofi (SNY.US). It is intended for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Public information shows that it is a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-33, which is developed by Sanofi and Regeneron (REGN.US) in cooperation. The product has previously obtained multiple clinical trial implicit permits in China, including the treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) and add-on maintenance therapy for patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Source: CDE's website

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a widely acting IL-1 family cytokine that is released from stressed or damaged barrier tissues (including endothelial and epithelial cells) after external factors such as injury, allergen exposure, or infection. In normal physiological conditions, IL-33 can initiate protective immune responses, but excessive IL-33 release or chronic signaling can also drive tissue-damaging inflammation. Studies have shown that the imbalance of IL-33 activity may be related to the pathology of various inflammatory diseases and severe infectious diseases. The therapeutic potential of anti-IL-33 antibodies has been preliminarily verified in research targeting asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy.

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