Signal26 Biotherapeutics is developing a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively blocks interleukin‑26 (IL‑26) to interrupt the cytokine‑driven inflammatory cascade underlying pustular psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Pre‑clinical data show the antibody can inhibit IL‑26‑DNA complex formation and prevent skin inflammation in IL‑26 transgenic mouse models, supporting its progression through toxicology, Phase 1 safety, and efficacy studies. The company aims to provide a targeted biologic therapy for patients lacking effective disease‑modifying treatments.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis affect millions of patients, yet there are limited therapies that target the underlying cytokine drivers of inflammation, especially for pustular forms of psoriasis where no approved treatments exist.
Solution
Signal26 Biotherapeutics is developing a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically blocks interleukin‑26 (IL‑26), a cytokine implicated in the amplification of auto‑inflammatory pathways. By inhibiting IL‑26’s interaction with DNA and its downstream activation of keratinocytes, dendritic cells, and neutrophils, the antibody aims to reduce the inflammatory cascade that drives skin lesions and systemic disease. Pre‑clinical studies have demonstrated that the antibody can prevent IL‑26‑induced inflammation in vitro and in IL‑26 transgenic mouse models. The company is advancing the candidate through toxicology, Phase 1 safety trials, and subsequent efficacy studies in patients with palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, with a broader pipeline targeting IBD and rheumatoid arthritis. Successful development would provide a targeted biologic option for patients who currently lack effective disease‑modifying therapies.
Target Audience
Primary customers are pharmaceutical companies and clinical development partners seeking novel biologics for autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, as well as dermatology and gastroenterology specialists who treat patients with pustular psoriasis, IBD, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Features
- Humanized IgG monoclonal antibody engineered to bind IL‑26 with high affinity and block its receptor interaction
- Demonstrated in vitro inhibition of IL‑26‑DNA complex formation and downstream STAT1/STAT3 signaling in keratinocytes and immune cells
- Efficacy shown in vivo in IL‑26 transgenic mouse models, preventing psoriasis‑like skin inflammation
- Integrated CMC program establishing scalable cell‑line production and GMP manufacturing processes
- Planned clinical development pathway including toxicology, Phase 1 safety, and Phase 2 efficacy trials in pustular psoriasis patients
- Potential expansion to other IL‑26‑driven diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis based on shared pathogenic mechanisms