DGAP-News

Biotest AG: Biotest Presents New Preclinical Data on Tregalizumab (BT-061) at the Annual

DGAP-News: Biotest AG / Key word(s): Research Update
Biotest AG: Biotest Presents New Preclinical Data on Tregalizumab
(BT-061) at the Annual

18.11.2014 / 11:30

---------------------------------------------------------------------

/

PRESS RELEASE

Biotest Presents New Preclinical Data on Tregalizumab (BT-061) at the
Annual
Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Boston

- New preclinical results confirm treatment rationale in mono- and
combination therapy settings

- Pro-inflammatory cytokines or methotrexate have no negative impact on
in vitro activation of regulatory T-cells by Tregalizumab


Dreieich/ Germany, November 18, 2014. Biotest AG announced that data from
in vitro studies on tregalizumab have been presented yesterday at the
American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Meeting in Boston, entitled
"The Effect of a Pro-Inflammatory Milieu on Tregalizumab (BT-061)-Induced
Regulatory T Cell Activity" (Abstract # 1725).

Tregalizumab is an antibody that selectively activates naturally occurring
regulatory T cells (Tregs), and is currently in Phase 2b clinical
development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This mode of
action is unique and totally different from other treatment modalities
currently used in RA. Activating regulatory cells may yield high treatment
efficacy with less side effects due to lower over all suppression of the
immune system.
The presented in vitro studies examined the potential of tregalizumab to
activate regulatory T-cells in the presence of high levels of
pro-inflammatory cytokines as observed in patients with autoimmune diseases
such as RA. Further investigations focused on the influence of methotrexate
which is widely used as co-medication in RA in combination with
tregalizumab.
The experiments show that the in vitro activation of regulatory T-cells by
tregalizumab is not inhibited either by MTX or by pro-inflammatory
cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-). The scientific evaluation was done in
collaboration with the research group of Dr. Helmut Jonuleit, University of
Mainz.

"These findings further increase our understanding on the mode of action of
tregalizumab. The data support the therapeutic potential of tregalizumab's
novel mechanism for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other
autoimmune diseases, both, in combination with methotrexate or as
stand-alone therapeutic" said Dr. Jörg Schüttrumpf, Head of Research at
Biotest AG. "We look forward to reporting the first clinical data from our