Anti-IL-6 · A breakthrough active immunotherapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease affecting the joint and a leading cause of disability worldwide. It affects at least 250m people and incurs healthcare costs of toward 0.5% of the GDP. Peptinov is developing an active immunotherapy that can halt inflammation-driven destruction of the cartilage in the joints. We use a unique approach to neutralise a key pro-inflammatory protein (IL-6) driving chronic inflammation. Our vaccine-like approach stimulates the patients own immune system to produce antibodies against excess IL-6 and neutralise its biological function. By doing so we will halt disease progression. Our treatment will cost 5-10% of conventional immunotherapies as we inject patients with inexpensive, immunogenic peptides to stimulate production of endogenous antibodies. Phase I clinical trial yielded very encouraging preliminary safety and tolerability data on 24 patients. This project will implement the Phase II clinical trial and make our therapy out-licensing ready.