Equillium develops Itolizumab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets the CD6-ALCAM signaling pathway to selectively downregulate pathogenic T effector cells in severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The company also utilizes a proprietary multi-cytokine inhibitor platform to address the unmet medical needs associated with various inflammatory conditions.
Funding
$30M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Many severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases lack targeted therapies, leaving patients with high unmet medical needs. Current treatments often broadly suppress the immune system, leading to increased risk of infection and other side effects. Selectively modulating the immune response to restore balance, rather than suppressing it entirely, represents a significant therapeutic challenge.
Solution
Equillium is developing novel immunomodulatory therapeutics designed to selectively restore immune balance in patients with severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Their lead candidate, Itolizumab, is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets the CD6-ALCAM signaling pathway. This pathway plays a crucial role in activating and trafficking pathogenic effector T cells, which drive inflammation in various diseases. By selectively downregulating these pathogenic T effector cells while preserving T regulatory cells, Itolizumab aims to provide a targeted approach to treating immuno-inflammatory disorders. Equillium is also advancing a multi-cytokine inhibitor platform utilizing structured-domain peptides to selectively inhibit multiple disease-driving cytokines, offering potential applications across a range of inflammatory conditions.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients suffering from severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases with high unmet medical needs, as well as the physicians and specialists who treat these conditions. Specific indications being targeted include acute graft-versus-host disease, SLE / lupus nephritis and uncontrolled asthma.
Features
- Itolizumab: A clinical-stage, first-in-class immune-modifying monoclonal antibody
- Selective downregulation of pathogenic T effector cells via the CD6-ALCAM signaling pathway
- Preservation of T regulatory cells for maintaining a balanced immune response
- Multi-Cytokine Inhibitor Platform: First-in-class structured-domain peptides
- Selective inhibition of multiple disease-driving cytokines
- Potential applications in numerous inflammatory conditions
- EQ504: A potent and selective Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) modulator with a unique, multi-modal, non-immunosuppressive mechanism of action
- AhR modulation maintains barrier function and promotes tissue repair and regeneration, while regulating resident immune cells with anti-inflammatory responses