AbbVie & Cugene Join Forces to Tackle Autoimmune Diseases

US Chicago-based AbbVie and Waltham, Massachusetts’ Cugene inked a deal for developing autoimmune diseases and cancer treatments. The pact focuses on a worldwide license option agreement for a potential best-in-class Treg-selective IL-2 mutein (CUG252) in addition to other novel IL-2 muteins.

Cugene’s lead candidate, CUG252, is an engineered IL-2 mutein designed to selectively activate and expand immune-suppressive regulatory T (Treg) cells while reducing undesired IL-2 activity on other IL-2 receptor cells for the treating autoimmune diseases. Currently, CUG252 is in a Phase 1 study involving healthy volunteers.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system cannot differentiate the body’s cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells. CUG252 focuses on IL-2 (interleukin-2), which controls the homeostasis and function of Treg cells, and defects in the IL-2 pathway contribute to various autoimmune disorders. Therefore, IL-2’s pro- and anti-inflammatory functions make it an attractive candidate for immunotherapy.

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AbbVie’s Dominance in Immunotherapy

Abbvie’s rheumatoid arthritis drug – Humira, has been the brand’s best-selling monoclonal antibody drug since marketing. However, facing increased biosimilars competition, Humira’s net revenue hit a 23% decrease in Q1 2022, again signaling the company to diversify/adapt its products, with new lineups such as Skyrizi and Rinvoq for rheumatoid arthritis.

AbbVie is joining an increasingly saturated Treg space filled by Eli Lilly, Merck, Takeda, and booming biotech startups. It is paying Cugene $48.5 Million upfront, betting on its selective IL-2 muteins’ potential to be a major advancement for patients with autoimmune and inflammatory illnesses. Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will receive an option to obtain an exclusive license for certain IL-2 muteins including CUG252, while Cugene will conduct a Phase 1b study in patients with autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. Upon exercise of the option, AbbVie will conduct all future clinical development, manufacturing, and marketing activities for CUG252.

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Author

Fujie Tham