Jasper Therapeutics Presents New Insights on Briquilimab
Jasper Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: JSPR), a pioneering biotechnology company, is excited to share insightful updates regarding briquilimab, an innovative antibody therapy that targets c-Kit, with the aim to treat mast cell driven diseases. During the recent AAAAI Annual Meeting held from February 28 to March 3, 2025, updated clinical results from the Phase 1b/2a BEACON study were highlighted along with data from several preclinical investigations assessing briquilimab's effects.
BEACON Study Updates
The BEACON study's latest update, based on data collected through January 31, 2025, reflects an extra month of participant dosing and follow-ups. This recent data set provides continued validation of briquilimab's well-tolerated nature alongside a favorable safety profile. Since the preliminary data was released earlier in January, no new adverse events potentially associated with c-Kit blockade have been recorded. The accumulated evidence strongly supports advancing the therapy into a registrational program for Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU), with a Phase 2b operationally adaptive study slated to start in the latter half of 2025. More information on dose selection is anticipated mid-year 2025, derived from findings involving patients treated at doses of 180mg and above.
Expert Insights
Dr. Thomas B. Casale, a professor at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, expressed his enthusiasm about presenting the BEACON study results at AAAAI. According to him, the data showcases that briquilimab effectively leads to swift and substantial clinical responses in patients with moderate to severe CSU who have previously been treated with omalizumab. He pointed out that the safety profile recorded during the study is very promising, characterized by a low rate of transient, low-grade c-Kit related adverse events that did not necessitate dosing interruptions. The predictable drug clearance observed may allow for the restoration of signaling on culturing c-Kit-expressing cells between doses, suggesting an optimal dosing effect.
Potential of Briquilimab
Ronald Martell, Jasper's President and CEO, shared his optimism about the safety and efficacy data from the BEACON study. He highlighted that the findings indicate briquilimab’s potential to significantly differentiate itself from existing and upcoming therapeutic options, especially in terms of the speed of action, depth of treatment response, and overall safety and tolerability. With an influx of patients currently being enrolled in both the BEACON and SPOTLIGHT studies, as well as participants transitioning to the Open-Label Extension study, Jasper anticipates the release of data from an additional 70 patients undergoing treatment with briquilimab at doses of 180mg or higher around mid-2025. This information is expected to be vital for finalizing the treatment plan for the imminent registrational study.
Presentation Highlights at AAAAI
The organization presented various important abstracts regarding briquilimab at the annual conference. The sessions included:
Abstract Title: Initial Results from BEACON, a Phase 1b/2a Dose Escalation Study of the anti-c-Kit Briquilimab Antibody in Adults with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)
Publication Number: L24
Session Title: Late Breaking Oral Abstract Session
Presentation Date / Time: Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 2:55 p.m. PST
Abstract Title: Initial Results from BEACON, a Phase 1b/2a Dose Escalation Study of the anti-c-Kit Briquilimab Antibody in Adults with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)
Poster Number: L24
Session Title: Late Breaking Poster Session I
Session Date / Time: Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. PST
Abstract Title: Briquilimab, an Anti-c-Kit Antibody, Induces Durable Depletion of Mast Cells (MCs) Across Multiple Tissues in Mice Expressing Chimeric Human/Mouse CD117 (c-Kit)
Poster Number: 540
Session Title: Novel Mechanisms of Mast Cells, Basophils and IgE
Session Date / Time: Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. PST
About Jasper Therapeutics
Jasper Therapeutics is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by mast cell diseases. Their investigational treatment, briquilimab, is a specialized aglycosylated monoclonal antibody with a unique mechanism of action that inhibits stem cell factor from binding to c-Kit on the cell surface. This interruption in signaling leads to the death of mast cells through apoptosis, thereby helping to decrease inflammation in diseases like chronic urticaria and asthma. The positive results from ongoing studies underscore the potential impact briquilimab could have in these patient populations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is briquilimab?
Briquilimab is a monoclonal antibody developed to target and inhibit c-Kit, a receptor involved in mast cell survival.
What diseases is briquilimab being studied for?
Briquilimab is being investigated for its efficacy in treating mast cell driven diseases such as chronic spontaneous urticaria and asthma.
What are the key findings from the BEACON study?
The BEACON study shows briquilimab has a favorable safety profile and promotes rapid clinical responses in patients.
When is the Phase 2b study expected to begin?
The Phase 2b operationally adaptive study is anticipated to commence in the second half of 2025.
How may briquilimab differ from other therapies?
Briquilimab might differentiate itself through rapid onset of action, depth of treatment response, and a better safety profile compared to current therapies.
