Biotechnology company Jasper Therapeutics has announced that it has begun dosing the first patient in its phase 1b/2a clinical study of subcutaneous briquilimab, an antibody therapy for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). The study, known as BEACON, aims to evaluate repeat doses of briquilimab in adult CSU patients who remain symptomatic after treatment with omalizumab or cannot tolerate it. Jasper expects the study to establish proof of concept for the depletion of mast cells by briquilimab, as well as determine doses and dosing regimens for future studies in the broader CSU patient population. Preliminary data from the BEACON study are expected to be reported in mid-2024.
Briquilimab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks stem cell factor, inhibiting signaling through the cell-surface receptor c-Kit (CD117) and depleting mast cells. Jasper is developing briquilimab as a treatment for chronic mast and stem cell diseases, such as CSU and lower to intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndromes, as well as a conditioning agent for stem cell transplants for rare diseases. The company has reported positive efficacy and safety profiles for briquilimab in previous studies. The BEACON study is set to enroll approximately 40 patients across six cohorts and will be conducted at sites in the US and EU.
