BioCentury
ARTICLE | Product Development

A more subtle shock

August 28, 2006 7:00 AM UTC

While anti-TNF drugs have revolutionized the inflammatory/autoimmune space, their activity is not subtle. CBio Ltd. is following what it hopes will be a more nuanced approach with its lead compound, Chaperonin 10 (Cpn10). Last week, data from a Phase IIa trial published in The Lancet showed the compound reduced disease activity scores in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Cpn10 (XToll) is a naturally occurring member of the heat-shock protein family (Hsp10) that elevates anti-inflammatory cytokines. It also interacts with activated toll-like receptors (TLRs) to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. "Cpn10 downregulates the inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF alpha, and upregulates anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-10," said Richard Willis, VP of business development at CBio (Brisbane, Australia)...