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Celldex Completes Enrollment in Global Phase 3 Studies (EMBARQ-CSU1 and EMBARQ-CSU2) of Barzolvolimab in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Globenewswire· 2026-02-25 12:01
Core Insights - Celldex has completed enrollment in its global Phase 3 program for barzolvolimab in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), consisting of two trials with a total of 1,939 patients, marking it as the largest program for antihistamine refractory CSU [1][2][3] - The completion of enrollment six months ahead of schedule underscores the significant unmet need for effective treatments in CSU, with topline results expected later in 2026 and a BLA submission planned for 2027 [2][6] Study Design and Objectives - The Phase 3 program aims to establish the efficacy and safety of barzolvolimab in adult patients with CSU who remain symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment, involving randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials [3] - Patients were randomized to receive either barzolvolimab 150 mg every 4 weeks, 300 mg every 8 weeks, or placebo for 52 weeks, with the primary endpoint focusing on reducing urticaria activity at Week 12 [3] Clinical Efficacy - Barzolvolimab targets mast cells, potentially transforming the treatment landscape for CSU by providing rapid and durable efficacy, with up to 51% of patients achieving complete response at 12 weeks, increasing to 71% at 52 weeks [2][5] - Significant improvements were reported in angioedema control and quality of life, with up to 65% of patients being angioedema-free at 12 weeks, rising to 77% at Week 52 [2][5] Patient Impact - CSU is characterized by spontaneous hives and angioedema, leading to a substantial mental health burden and a 1.7-fold increase in all-cause mortality over five years, highlighting the critical need for effective treatments [8] - The goal of CSU treatment is complete symptom absence, yet many patients continue to experience significant distress despite current therapies [8] Future Directions - Barzolvolimab is being studied not only in CSU but also in other conditions such as cold urticaria and symptomatic dermographism, with additional indications planned for the future [7] - A global Phase 3b long-term extension study is ongoing, allowing patients to continue treatment after the Phase 3 trials [3]
RAPT Therapeutics (NasdaqGM:RAPT) 2025 Conference Transcript
2025-11-12 20:40
Summary of RAPT Therapeutics Conference Call Company Overview - RAPT Therapeutics is an immunology therapeutics company focusing on high-value indications with the potential to disrupt the standard of care, targeting multi-billion dollar opportunities [4][5] - The lead asset is ozureprubart (RPT-904), a long-acting anti-IgE biobetter designed for less frequent dosing and improved compliance compared to Xolair [4][5] Key Product Insights - Ozureprubart targets food allergies, a $40 billion opportunity in the US, and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) [4][5] - Recent phase two trial data showed superior efficacy to omalizumab across all endpoints, supporting a move to phase three studies for CSU and food allergy [5][30] Acquisition and Licensing Details - The asset was acquired with a $35 million upfront payment and potential milestone payments totaling approximately $670 million, with a significant portion tied to commercial milestones [11][12] - RAPT retains global rights except for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau [12] Competitive Landscape - The food allergy market is largely untapped, with 17 million diagnosed patients in the US and a high unmet need [14][15] - Ozureprubart is positioned to potentially replace omalizumab as the standard of care, with a differentiated profile allowing for premium pricing [15][18] Differentiation Factors - Key differentiators include less frequent dosing (Q8 or Q12 weeks) compared to the current Q2 week dosing for most food allergy patients, which enhances compliance [17][18] - The ability to treat patients currently ineligible for omalizumab due to high IgE or weight provides additional market leverage [18] Clinical Trial Design and Progress - The phase 2b food allergy study is modeled after the OutMatch study for Xolair, with a focus on patients sensitive to multiple food allergens [21][22] - Enrollment is ongoing, with plans to complete the study in 18 months and a readout expected in early 2027 [24] Safety and Efficacy Considerations - The safety profile of ozureprubart is expected to be similar to that of omalizumab, with a focus on reducing the need for up-dosing [30][39] - The company is considering post-approval studies to further evaluate the drug's performance against omalizumab [37] Future Development Plans - RAPT plans to initiate phase 3 studies for CSU by the end of next year, leveraging safety data from their partner in China [34][35] - Other indications, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, are being considered for future development based on the success of the food allergy study [41][42] Financial Position - The company reported a pro forma cash balance of $392 million at the end of Q3, projected to last until mid-2028, covering the upcoming clinical milestones [48]