XBiotech Launches Study of Hutrukin Therapy for Injury Reduction After Ischemic Stroke Reperfusion

XBiotech Inc. (Austin, TX) announced it has enrolled the first patient in a randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled dose escalation clinical study to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of Hutrukin Therapy, a human derived, modification-free antibody. The company is developing Hutrukin as a treatment to reduce brain injury after ischemic stroke.

The phase I study is evaluating three dose levels of Hutrukin for safety and will measure the corresponding blood levels of Hutrukin with increasing doses. Findings will guide dosing and safety expectations for the next phase of studies.

According to Texas-based XBiotech, Hutrukin therapy is intended to be provided immediately before pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombectomy procedures, where the drug may reduce inflammatory injury associated with reperfusion. Reperfusion injury is believed to be the result of a massive inflammatory response caused by blood cells as they flow back into the region of the brain that was deprived of blood supply (and oxygen), noted the company.

XBiotech’s True Human antibodies are derived without modification from individuals who possess natural immunity to certain diseases. The company is conducting discovery and clinical programs across multiple disease areas with True Human antibodies, which have the potential to harness the body’s natural immunity to fight disease with increased safety, efficacy, and tolerability, stated the company.

Neurointerventional news coverage produced in conjunction with Endovascular Today.