— XENITH-UC, a Phase 2b study of XmAb942 in participants with ulcerative colitis, to begin in the second half of 2025 —
— Single and multiple doses of XmAb942 are well tolerated and safety profile is consistent with the anti-TL1A drug class —
— XmAb942 half-life supports a 12-week maintenance dosing interval in XENITH-UC —
— Lead selection for XmAb TL1A x IL23p19 program on track for first-in-human study start in 2026 —
— Management hosting webcast and conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT today —
PASADENA, CA, USA I April 29, 2025 I
Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ:XNCR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered antibodies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, today announced positive interim results from its first-in-human study of XmAb942, a high-potency, extended half-life, investigational anti-TL1A antibody in clinical development for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Interim results from the healthy volunteer dose-escalation study indicate that XmAb942 is well tolerated at single and multiple doses. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the single dose cohorts estimates a human half-life of greater than 71 days for XmAb942, which supports a 12-week dosing interval during maintenance treatment.
Based on these positive interim results, Xencor is initiating the XENITH clinical program, advancing XmAb942 into a Phase 2b study in patients with moderate-to-severely active UC (XENITH-UC), with the expected study start in the second half of 2025.
Lead selection for Xencor’s XmAb TL1A x IL23p19 bispecific antibody continues to advance. New
in vitro
studies show that several lead candidates match the target inhibition potency of commercial monospecific antibodies, but in a simple bispecific immunoglobulin G (IgG) format. Currently, these candidates are in final lead selection studies and manufacturing, in parallel, to prepare for the first-in-human study planned for 2026.
“Our Phase 1 data for XmAb942 validate our design goals for a best-in-class anti-TL1A therapy, combining high potency with less frequent dosing to potentially improve clinical outcomes and convenience for patients living with inflammatory bowel disease,” said Bassil Dahiyat, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Xencor. “We are excited to start our Phase 2b XENITH-UC trial later this year to efficiently support dose selection for pivotal studies, and we are poised to select our TL1A x IL23p19 bispecific lead candidate for an anticipated Phase 1 start in 2026. These and other milestones across our clinical portfolio are supported by our strong cash position.”
Key Highlights From Phase 1 Study Interim Results
The Phase 1 study of XmAb942 in healthy volunteers is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation trial, exploring intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) dose administration, at three escalating dose levels. The interim results reflect analyses with subjects in single dose cohorts (IV, n=24; SC, n=24) and in multiple dose cohorts (IV, n=16).
XENITH-UC: Phase 2b Study in Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
The Phase 2b study of XmAb942 in UC (XENITH-UC) will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with moderate-to-severely active UC, whose disease has progressed after at least one conventional or advanced therapy. XmAb942 will be administered intravenously during the 12-week induction period and subcutaneously every 12 weeks during the maintenance period. The primary endpoint of the study will be clinical remission based on the modified Mayo score at week 12. The study is designed to enroll approximately 220 patients across three induction dose levels and powered to enable Phase 3 dose selection. XENITH-UC is expected to start in the second half of 2025.
Conference Call and Webcast
Xencor will host a conference call and webcast today at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT) to review the interim results outlined in this news release. The live webcast of the conference call may be accessed through
this link
and through “Events & Presentations” in the Investors section of the Company’s website, located at
investors.xencor.com
. A recording will be available for at least 30 days.
About XmAb942
XmAb942 is a high-potency, extended half-life, investigational anti-TL1A antibody in clinical development for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The first generation of anti-TL1A antibodies, designed to block the interaction between the DR3 receptor and its ligand TL1A, have reduced disease activity in patients with UC and CD in multiple clinical studies. Interim results from a Phase 1 dose-escalation study in healthy volunteers indicate that XmAb942 is well tolerated at single and multiple doses. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the single dose cohorts estimates a human half-life of greater than 71 days for XmAb942, which supports a 12-week dosing interval during maintenance treatment.
About Xencor
Xencor is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered antibodies for the treatment of patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. More than 20 candidates engineered with Xencor’s XmAb® technology are in clinical development, and multiple XmAb medicines are marketed by partners. Xencor’s XmAb engineering technology enables small changes to a protein’s structure that result in new mechanisms of therapeutic action. For more information, please visit
www.xencor.com
.
SOURCE:
Xencor