Izana Bioscience Initiates Namilumab Phase II Proof-of-Concept Clinical Study in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Izana Bioscience announced the initiation of a phase II proof-of-concept clinical study of namilumab in ankylosing spondylitis, a debilitating arthritic disease of the spine that affects millions of people worldwide.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled NAMASTE study (Namilumab in Ankylosing Spondylitis Therapy) will enrol over 40 patients with moderate-to-severe ankylosing spondylitis at 10 specialist centres in the UK. Study results are expected in early 2019.

Principal Investigator, Peter Taylor, Norman Collinson Professor of Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, said: “I am delighted to be part of the team developing this innovative new therapy targeting ankylosing spondylitis. The condition can be devastating, and for many patients with more advanced disease current treatments are often ineffective. With new research indicating namilumab targets a key pathway in ankylosing spondylitis, I am excited at the prospect of exploring its potential to become an effective new therapy for this greatly underserved condition.”

Izana Chief Executive, Dr Someit Sidhu, said: “The start of this clinical study represents an important strategic milestone for Izana and the development of namilumab as an innovative new treatment. As a recently-launched biopharmaceutical company, Izana has ambitious plans to translate world-class science into a world-leading business, and the initiation of this study marks the beginning of that journey.”