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Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced detailed results from a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial evaluating the investigational antibody cocktail REGN1908-1909 in cat-allergic patients with mild asthma. The trial met the primary endpoint of preventing early asthma reactions (EAR, defined as a ≥20% decline in forced expiratory volume over one second [FEV1]). The trial also met key secondary endpoints, including improved lung function and an increased amount of cat allergen that patients could tolerate following a single dose of treatment, from as early as the first assessment conducted at week 1. The results were shared in an oral presentation at the virtual 2021 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting.
“Cat allergy is one of the most common allergic respiratory diseases, impacting millions of people who must alter their lives by withdrawing from certain social situations, occupations and relationships. For those with co-existing asthma, cat allergies can trigger exacerbations that, although rare, can lead to hospitalization,” said Frederic J. de Blay, M.D., Professor of Pulmonology and Allergist at the Strasbourg University and principal investigator of the trial performed at ALYATEC. “These encouraging trial results showed that a single dose of REGN1908-1909 prevented early asthma reactions in cat-allergic patients with mild asthma rapidly and durably – as early as one week after treatment and up to three months.”
Cat allergy is primarily caused by exposure to Fel d 1, the major allergen in cat dander produced by all cats. Fel d 1 is spread to surrounding environments through airborne particles that adhere to clothing, carpets and furniture. Patients typically experience rapid onset of mild to severe symptoms including nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, chest tightening and wheezing. Currently, cat-induced allergic rhinitis is treated with antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids with moderate efficacy. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (otherwise known as allergy shots) takes 12-24 months to see clinical benefit and is contraindicated for patients with severe or uncontrolled asthma. Importantly, the association between cat allergy and asthma is significant, as more than 50% of cat-allergic patients have co-existing asthma. Although rare, cat allergy in these patients can potentially trigger life-threatening asthma attacks leading to hospitalization.
REGN1908-1909 is a novel cocktail of two fully-human monoclonal IgG antibodies, designed to specifically bind and block the Fel d 1 allergen, thus preventing it from binding and triggering the endogenous antibodies that cause allergies (i.e., Immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies). REGN1908-1909 was invented using Regeneron’s proprietary VelocImmune® technology.
“These data add further evidence supporting a completely new way to combat common allergies,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron. “Under this new approach pioneered by Regeneron, patients are given antibodies that provide immediate and durable protection against offending allergens, a type of passive immunity. We have developed and are currently studying several allergen-specific antibodies, including REGN1908-1909 for cat allergy and a Phase 3 trial investigating REGN5713-5715 in patients with birch allergy.”
The Phase 2 randomized, double-blind proof-of-concept trial enrolled 56 cat-allergic patients with mild asthma who received a single dose of REGN1908-1909 600 mg or placebo delivered subcutaneously. This was followed by a 12-week assessment period during which patients underwent a 4-hour Cat Allergen Challenge (CAC) at weeks 1, 4, 8 and 12 in an environmental exposure unit (EEU) where they were exposed to cat allergen and monitored for allergic reactions. In order to establish a baseline, patients were also exposed to the EEU 1 week prior to receiving either REGN1908-1909 or placebo.
Patients who took REGN1908-1909 experienced significant improvements during the Cat Allergen Challenge compared to those on placebo, which included:
Reduced time to EAR for up to 3 months: REGN1908-1909 significantly extended the median time before patients experienced an early asthma reaction compared to placebo at all time points assessed, including at week 1 (>4 hours REGN1908-1909 vs. 51 minutes placebo, p=0.0083, the primary endpoint).
Improved ability to breathe: REGN1908-1909 prevented 68% of the lung function decline observed upon cat allergen exposure, compared to 23% with placebo (measured by comparing the lung function decline induced by cat allergen exposure pre-treatment, with that seen 1 week following treatment; similar benefit was seen throughout the 3-month post-treatment assessment period).
Improved cat allergen tolerance: Patients taking REGN1908-1909 were able to tolerate a three-fold higher allergen quantity from baseline without experiencing an early asthma reaction compared to placebo (60 nanograms [ng] REGN1908-1909 vs. 20 ng placebo, p=0.003).
Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 76% of patients who received REGN1908-1909 and 78% of patients who received placebo. AEs more commonly observed with those receiving REGN1908-1909 included injection site reactions (7% for REGN1908-1909, 4% for placebo).
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for over 30 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite technologies, such as VelocImmune, which uses unique genetically-humanized mice to produce optimized fully-human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
