UCB have announced that its CDP6038 antibody drug candidate targeting IL-6 has achieved a key milestone as the first subjects have been dosed in its phase 1 ‘first in human’ study.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of several cytokines involved in the inflammatory process. CDP6038 is thus part of UCB’s long-term commitment to the field of immunology and, in pre-clinical studies, has already shown potential in a number of auto-immune diseases.
“CDP6038 is an exciting programme because it represents an opportunity for a next generation of anti-IL-6 biologic therapeutics”, said Dr Melanie Lee, Executive Vice-President UCB, President UCB NewMedicines. “The molecule’s design includes unique aspects that could translate into important patient benefits.”
CDP6038 is the first new compound to enter phase I of clinical development since UCB NewMedicines, UCB’s discovery research through to clinical proof of concept organisation, was formed earlier this year.
