AZ17

AZ17 is an experimental bispecific antibody-based biologic engineered to neutralize both human interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-23 (IL-23), key cytokines driving Th17 cell differentiation and maintenance in inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. It is constructed from two single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) derived from high-affinity monoclonal antibodies against IL-6 and IL-23, which are site-specifically bioconjugated via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker to improve stability, pharmacokinetics, and manufacturability in Escherichia coli expression systems. In preclinical models, AZ17 inhibited IL-23-induced inflammation, reduced ear swelling, and improved psoriatic lesions in a human skin xenograft mouse model, supporting its potential as a targeted therapy for psoriasis and other Th17-mediated inflammatory disorders.[1][3]