“We are very excited to have started treatment in this phase I study with CAN10. This achievement is a major milestone and Cantargia now has two independent projects in clinical trials. Based on its powerful mechanism of action, CAN10 has potential to be used in the treatment of a large number of diseases, and we look forward to generating key clinical data from this study,” said Göran Forsberg, CEO of Cantargia.

The primary objective of this phase I trial is to investigate the safety and tolerability of CAN10. Further objectives include pharmacokinetics and effects on various immunological or disease-related biomarkers. Initially, single ascending doses will be given intravenously to up to 64 healthy volunteers. A subsequent part of the trial is designed to also generate an early proof-of-concept in up to 16 patients with mild to moderate psoriasis, who will receive multiple injections of CAN10 subcutaneously at two dose levels. Additional trial details will be disclosed on clinicaltrials.gov.

The CAN10 antibody strongly binds IL1RAP and simultaneously blocks the function of the signaling molecules IL-1, IL-33 and IL-36, which play key roles in several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. CAN10 has previously shown promising effects in several models of such diseases, including the lead indications systemic sclerosis and myocarditis. Pronounced effects have also been observed in models of psoriasis and these findings will form the basis for studying the effects of CAN10 in psoriasis patients in the phase I trial. Subsequent trials intend to focus on patients with systemic sclerosis or myocarditis.