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Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUPH) Update / Briefing Transcript

Summary of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUPH) Conference Call Company Overview - Company: Aurinia Pharmaceuticals - Product: Aretinirecept (previously referred to as AUR200) - Focus: Development of treatments for autoimmune diseases Key Points from the Conference Call Phase One Study Results - Aretinirecept is a dual BAF and APRIL inhibitor designed to modulate immune responses in autoimmune diseases [3][4] - The Phase one study involved 61 healthy subjects with a standard single ascending dose design [7] - Doses tested: 5 mg, 25 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg, 225 mg, and 300 mg [7] - Aretinirecept was well tolerated with no treatment-related grade three or higher adverse events [7][9] - Injection site reactions occurred in 24% of subjects receiving Aretinirecept compared to 13% for placebo [9] - Significant reductions in immunoglobulins were observed: IgA (up to 76%), IgM (up to 67%), and IgG (up to 43%) [6] Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics - Aretinirecept demonstrated a half-life of 6 to 8 days after a single dose [9] - Mean reductions from baseline to day 28 for immunoglobulins were: IgA (48%), IgM (55%), and IgG (20%) [10] - The drug's pharmacodynamic effects support the potential for once-monthly dosing [10] Future Plans - Aurinia plans to initiate further clinical studies in at least two autoimmune diseases in the second half of the year [13][16] - Specific details on future studies and indications were not disclosed for competitive reasons [13][16] Competitive Landscape - The BAF and APRIL inhibitor space is becoming increasingly competitive, with many potential targets identified [24] - Aurinia is focusing on a range of B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, with an internal review identifying over 20 potential targets [24] Intellectual Property and Development Strategy - Aurinia continues to file for intellectual property related to Aretinirecept, although specific details on the IP life were not disclosed [20] - The company intends to conduct further studies independently without seeking external funding [21] Safety and Administration - No dose-dependent effects were observed for upper respiratory infections or back pain, which were mild and transient [30] - Future formulations are expected to allow for self-administration at home via prefilled syringes or auto-injectors [32] Additional Insights - The study's design included a higher number of patients in the 150 mg dose group to better understand pharmacodynamic impacts [25][26] - Aretinirecept's binding affinity is significantly higher than that of competitor drugs, indicating a potential advantage in efficacy [5][6] This summary encapsulates the key findings and strategic directions discussed during the conference call, highlighting Aurinia Pharmaceuticals' advancements and future plans in the autoimmune disease treatment landscape.