Novamab Announces Publication of Preclinical Results for LQ036, a First-in-Class Inhalable IL-4Rα-Targeting Nanobody, in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Antibody inhibitors targeting IL-4Rα have already demonstrated promising therapeutic effects for asthma and COPD in clinical settings. Most of the currently available marketed drugs and clinical research products primarily improve lung function through subcutaneous administration, whereas inhalable biologics, due to their ability to directly reach the lungs and reduce the risk of systemic toxicity, represent a more effective treatment option for asthma and COPD.

Developed by NovamabThe World's First Inhalable Nanobody Targeting IL-4RαLQ036 is expected to provide a more convenient, efficient, and safe treatment strategy for asthma patients. ItIt is a high-affinity and high-specificity homologous bivalent nanobody, which has shown significantly superior performance in various in vitro functional activity studies compared to similar competing products.

LQ036 significantly inhibited the OVA-specific IgE levels in the serum of humanized asthma model mice, significantly suppressed the CCL17 levels in BALF, as well as bronchial mucus cell hyperplasia and airway goblet cell hyperplasia. In addition, after transgenic mice were exposed to LQ036 via nebulization, its distribution in the lungs and bronchi was significantly higher than that in systemic circulation, demonstrating favorable pharmacokinetics, safety, and tissue distribution.

These preclinical study results confirm the efficacy and safety of inhaled LQ036, highlighting its potential as a pioneering inhaled biologic therapy for asthma.Currently, LQ036 has completed Phase I clinical trials in China and Australia, demonstrating excellent safety and tolerability. It is now undergoing Phase IIa clinical trials for the treatment of moderate to severe asthma.

Novamab is an innovative biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development, and industrialization of nanobody drugs. Founded in October 2017 and located in Shanghai International Medical Park, the company has established comprehensive R&D, CMC, and pilot production platforms and systems. It is currently the only company in China with full-process development capabilities for nanobodies. Novamab has built a 500L Pichia pastoris nanobody GMP pilot production workshop, filling an industry gap in this field and demonstrating significant rarity and competitiveness.

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