U.K.-based Poolbeg Pharma is taking a different approach with its POLB 001, a small molecule immunomodulator that has already shown promise in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) human challenge trial. A human challenge trial is a type of clinical study typically in vaccine development, when participants are intentionally given an infection in a controlled environment to understand the onset and development of a disease.
The inflammatory symptoms associated with LPS are also caused by the overproduction of cytokines, and the trial results showed a highly significant reduction in p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase driven cytokines, back in March, 2023. p38 MAP kinase is largely expressed in white blood cells, and can unleash inflammation. So, inhibiting p38 MAP kinase could essentially steer the cytokine storm.
Poolbeg followed this in January, with in vivo results that show its potential as a therapy for cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS. Unlike JAK inhibitors, data so far suggest POLB 001 can act against the cytokine storm while maintaining the effectiveness of the immunotherapy.
Poolbeg Pharma plc (LON:POLB) is a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, with a novel capital light clinical model which enables us to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively than the traditional biotech model.
