Abgenix ends ABX-IL8 development

ABGX said after market close that it is discontinuing development of its ABX-IL8 human monoclonal antibody against IL-8 for psoriasis, after a U.S. Phase IIb study did not show improvements on the primary endpoint of PASI scores. ABGX also said it is not planning to conduct further studies of antibody, and therefore will not proceed with a previously planned trial for melanoma and will wind down its ongoing Phase IIa trial for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Data from the double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIb trial in 256 moderate to severe psoriasis patients showed ABX-IL8 did not meet the primary endpoint of proportion of patients achieving at least 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores at week 15 compared to baseline. Complete data will presented on Wednesday at the Society for Investigative Dermatology meeting in Los Angeles. ...