briakinumab

Briakinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the p40 subunit shared by interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23). By binding to this shared subunit, it prevents these cytokines from interacting with their receptors, thereby inhibiting the differentiation and activation of Th1 and Th17 cells, which are key drivers of chronic inflammation in autoimmune diseases. Developed by Abbott Laboratories (now AbbVie) following the acquisition of Facet Biotech, briakinumab was extensively evaluated in Phase III clinical trials for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, where it demonstrated superior efficacy compared to methotrexate and etanercept. It was also investigated for the treatment of Crohn's disease. Despite its robust clinical efficacy, development was halted and regulatory applications in the US and EU were withdrawn in 2011 due to safety concerns, specifically an observed imbalance in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) in treated patients.

Other names

briakinumabanti-IL-12/23p40 monoclonal antibody