TNX-650 has a mechanism of action unique from currently available asthma treatments and has the potential to be a therapeutic option for patients whose disease is not currently well controlled and for non-allergic asthmatics.
TNX-650 targets Interleukin 13 (IL-13). Preclinical studies indicate that IL-13 is a key mediator of asthma responses, including airway inflammation, obstruction and hyper-reactivity.
The trial will examine the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single doses of TNX-650 in healthy volunteers.
“If successful in the clinic, we believe TNX-650 could be another treatment option to help patients better manage their disease,” said Danong Chen, president and CEO of Tanox.
Moderate to severe asthmatics comprise approximately 35% of the estimated 17 million asthma patients in the US.
Tanox is also evaluating the anti-IL-13 effect of TNX-650 as a potential treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma in an ongoing phase I clinical trial.