The humanized monoclonal antibody, RPC4046 is directed against interleukin-13 (IL-13), a target which has been validated in other related allergic indications.
Receptos president and chief executive officer Faheem Hasnain said this is a major step in the development program for RPC4046.
"This is a disease of increasing prevalence and diagnosis for which there are no FDA-approved therapies," Hasnain said.
"If we are successful in developing RPC4046, this would be a significant advancement in the treatment of EoE patients."
The company has a development license and option agreement with AbbVie to carry out a proof-of-concept clinical trial with RPC4046 in EoE patients.
Under the deal, AbbVie has an exclusive option to enter into global co-development collaboration for RPC4046 with Receptos following results from the Phase II trial and regulatory discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In case AbbVie refuses to exercise its co-development option, Receptos would secure a worldwide exclusive commercial license to all indications for RPC4046.