Data shows VB-201 controls inflammatory responses associated with autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis

Jun 7 2010

VBL Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to the development of novel treatments for immune-inflammatory diseases and cancer, today announced preclinical data demonstrating that VB-201 regulates inflammatory pathways, suggesting that it may effectively control inflammatory responses associated with autoimmune diseases and atherosclerosis. These results were presented today at the Keystone Symposium on Bioactive Lipids: Biochemistry and Diseases in Kyoto, Japan by Eyal Breitbart, Ph.D., vice president of research at VBL.

“These data contribute to the growing body of knowledge about VB-201 and we look forward to the results of our ongoing phase 2 clinical trial in patients with psoriasis.”

VB-201 is the first in a new class of drugs and the lead candidate of several proprietary phospholipid analogs from VBL's proprietary Lecinoxoid family that were designed to be orally available, anti-inflammatory medicines. Oxidized phospholipids are abundantly generated in sites of inflammation and recent studies suggest that they may also exert anti-inflammatory activities.

"Today's data demonstrating that VB-201 has anti-inflammatory activity suggest that it may have utility in the treatment of a range of autoimmune diseases, including atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease," said Dr. Breitbart.

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of VB-201 both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, the efficacy of VB-201 was tested in ApoE knock-out mice (mice unable to produce apolipoprotein E, a key glycoprotein essential for the transport and metabolism of lipids). In this validated atherosclerosis model, VB-201 reduced the burden of atherosclerosis.

Both in vitro and in vivo, researchers examined the effect of VB-201 on cytokine levels produced by activated mouse and human dendritic cells and on the migration of human and mouse monocytes toward a wide range of chemokines and inflammatory insults. The researchers found that VB-201 significantly inhibited the production of IL-12/23 common chain p40 by activated dendritic cells. VB-201 also impaired migration of monocytes toward several chemo-attractants and inflammatory insults.

"We are honored to have the opportunity to present this data on VB-201 at a meeting widely recognized as a forum for scientific dialogue," said Professor Dror Harats, M.D., chief executive officer of VBL. "These data contribute to the growing body of knowledge about VB-201 and we look forward to the results of our ongoing phase 2 clinical trial in patients with psoriasis."