Metelimumab (CAT-192) is a human

IgG4 Immunoglobulin G (Ig G) is a Antibody#Classes, type of antibody. Representing approximately 75% of blood plasma, serum immunoglobulins, antibodies in humans, IgG is the most common type of antibody found in Circulatory system, blood circulation. I ...

monoclonal antibody A monoclonal antibody (mAb, more rarely called moAb) is an antibody produced from a cell Lineage made by cloning a unique white blood cell. All subsequent antibodies derived this way trace back to a unique parent cell. Monoclonal antibodies ...

that neutralizes

TGF beta 1 TGF may refer to: Medicine * Tubuloglomerular feedback, a reflex of the nephrons in the kidney * Transforming growth factor, either of two classes of polypeptide growth factors (TGF-α and TGF-β) Science * Terrestrial gamma-ray flash, a burst o ...

which had been chosen for further development for the treatment of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, also known as

scleroderma Scleroderma is a group of autoimmune diseases that may result in changes to the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. The disease can be either localized to the skin or involve other organs, as well. Symptoms may include areas ...

. It was dropped from further development in favour of fresolimumab, which was being developed by

Genzyme Genzyme was an American biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Since its acquisition in 2011, Genzyme (also known as Genzyme Transgenics Corp or GTC Biotherapeutics) has been a fully owned subsidiary of Sanofi. In 2010, Genzyme ...

as of 2006.

History

Metelimumab was isolated by

Cambridge Antibody Technology Cambridge Antibody Technology (officially Cambridge Antibody Technology Group Plc, informally CAT) was a biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, England, United Kingdom. Its core focus was on antibody therapeutics, primarily using pha ...

(CAT) using its phage display technology. In 2000, CAT signed a collaborative deal with Genzyme to further develop

TGF beta Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine belonging to the transforming growth factor superfamily that includes three different mammalian isoforms (TGF-β 1 to 3, HGNC symbols TGFB1, TGFB2, TGFB3) and many other ...

antibodies. In 2004, CAT and Genzyme revealed that Phase I/II trials of metelimumab for scleroderma showed this antibody to be safe and well tolerated across all dose levels, although no conclusions regarding efficacy of the compound could be made. Initial trials targeted the skin condition

but, after some unsuccessful clinical trial results, the product was dropped in favour of fresolimumab, which was being developed by Genzyme as of 2006.

References

Monoclonal antibodies {{antineoplastic-drug-stub