In a sensational twist, Anthos Therapeutics has decided to halt its Phase II AZALEA-TIMI 71 study prematurely. The reason is their experimental monoclonal antibody, abelacimab, has delivered an astounding reduction in bleeding when compared to the current gold standard anticoagulant, Xarelto (rivaroxaban) from Bayer and Johnson & Johnson. The news, announced on Monday, sent shockwaves through the medical community.
While exact figures weren’t revealed in Monday’s announcement, the Data Monitoring Committee was so impressed by the results that they decided to pull the plug on the study ahead of schedule. Anthos is keeping us on the edge of our seats, promising to unveil the full details and analysis at an upcoming medical conference.
This groundbreaking reduction in bleeding, as described by Anthos’ CMO Dan Bloomfield, could potentially revolutionize atrial fibrillation care. Not only does this spell a new era in stroke prevention, but it could also change the game for other thrombotic conditions.
Abelacimab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, has a dual-action approach by inhibiting both Factor XI and Factor XIa, pivotal players in the coagulation cascade. High concentrations of these proteins have long been associated with dangerous blood clots that obstruct blood flow in veins and arteries.
Interestingly, abelacimab’s journey began with Novartis, but it was Anthos that took the reins when they launched in February 2019, thanks to the backing of Blackstone Life Sciences with an initial investment of $250 million.
This isn’t abelacimab’s first rodeo in the spotlight. A prior study published in August 2021 in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated an 80% reduction in venous thromboembolism when compared to standard care in knee arthroplasty patients. The study offered various dose levels of abelacimab, with few serious adverse events reported.
Abelacimab’s potential to maintain a 98% inhibition of target proteins over the dosing interval at its 150-mg dose is nothing short of impressive. Anthos sees a bright future where atrial fibrillation patients can be treated more effectively and safely, with a significantly lower risk of bleeding compared to traditional anticoagulants.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Anthos has initiated an extension study to AZALEA-TIMI 71, allowing rivaroxaban recipients to make the switch to abelacimab. Additionally, they’re exploring abelacimab’s potential in cancer-associated thrombosis, with two Phase III trials named ASTER and MAGNOLIA. And in January 2023, the company embarked on its Phase III trial of abelacimab for high-risk atrial fibrillation patients unable to receive current anticoagulant treatments. The future of anticoagulation has never looked more promising!