Companies To Watch: Equillium

By Wayne Koberstein, Executive Editor, Life Science Leader
Follow Me On Twitter @WayneKoberstein

Keeping a close eye on the COVID-19 challenge but sticking to acute graft-versus-host disease, uncontrolled asthma, and lupus nephritis as primary inflammation targets

SNAPSHOT

Equillium is developing its lead candidate, itolizumab, for autoimmune/inflammatory maladies: acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), uncontrolled asthma, and lupus nephritis. Itolizumab targets the CD6-ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule) inflammatory pathway to block activation and trafficking of effector T (Teff) cells and restore their natural balance with regulatory T (Treg) cells. A Phase 1b/2 trial in aGVHD is in progress, but the company’s Phase 1b uncontrolled asthma trial and Phase 1b lupus nephritis trial have been paused because of difficulties in institutional settings related to the COVID-19 pandemic.