Summary of Avalo Therapeutics Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Avalo Therapeutics (NasdaqCM:AVTX) - **Focus**: Development of AVTX-009, a potent anti-IL-1 inhibitor for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) [3][5] Key Points and Arguments Product Development - **AVTX-009 Background**: Originally developed by Eli Lilly for type 2 diabetes, showing a reduction in A1C by 0.25 to 0.3 grams but not pursued further due to insufficient effect size [4] - **Acquisition**: Acquired from AlmataBio in 2024, with rapid progression to phase 2B trials [5] Mechanistic Insights - **IL-1 Role**: IL-1 beta is a central regulator of the immune system, driving chronic inflammation in HS lesions [7][8] - **Clinical Evidence**: AbbVie's data supports the efficacy of targeting IL-1, while Johnson & Johnson's anti-IL-1 trial showed no treatment effect in HS, reinforcing the focus on IL-1 as a target [10] Clinical Trial Design - **Phase 2 Trial**: Designed to mirror successful elements from other trials, allowing for both bio-naive and bio-experienced patients [15][16] - **Enrollment Success**: Exceeded initial enrollment timelines, with over 250 patients enrolled, indicating strong interest from both patients and investigators [19][26] Efficacy and Safety Expectations - **Efficacy Goals**: Aiming for a treatment effect size comparable to or better than AbbVie’s results, with a favorable dosing regimen of every four weeks [28][29] - **Safety Profile**: IL-1 inhibitors are well-tolerated, with a lower risk of opportunistic infections compared to IL-17 inhibitors [33] Market Opportunity - **HS Market Growth**: Increasing awareness and earlier diagnosis are expected to expand the patient population significantly [36] - **Market Size Estimates**: Projected to exceed $10 billion by 2035, with a conservative estimate of a $1 billion opportunity from a 5% patient penetration of a target market of 200,000 patients [37][38] Additional Important Insights - **Competitive Landscape**: The HS treatment market is competitive, with multiple companies developing various drugs, but there is optimism about the unique mechanism of AVTX-009 [26][36] - **KOL Enthusiasm**: Key opinion leaders express high enthusiasm for IL-1 targeting in HS, suggesting a robust market for multiple agents [38]