Allakos Announces Publication of Results from the Phase 2 Study of Lirentelimab (AK002) in Patients with Eosinophilic Gastritis and/or Eosinophilic Duodenitis (ENIGMA) in the New England Journal of Medicine

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allakos Inc. (Nasdaq: ALLK), a biotechnology company developing lirentelimab (AK002) for the treatment of eosinophil and mast cell-related diseases, today announced the publication of results from the multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study of lirentelimab (AK002) in patients with eosinophilic gastritis and/or eosinophilic duodenitis (ENIGMA) in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). All AK002 dose arms showed clinically meaningful and statistically significant benefits compared to placebo on all prespecified primary and secondary endpoints, including gastrointestinal tissue eosinophil counts and patient-reported disease symptoms. Previously announced, top-line data from the study are available here. The peer-reviewed article, “Anti-Siglec-8 Antibody for Eosinophilic Gastritis and Duodenitis”, will also appear in the journal’s print issue.

About Eosinophilic Gastritis, Eosinophilic Duodenitis, and Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic gastritis, eosinophilic duodenitis (previously referred to as eosinophilic gastroenteritis), and eosinophilic esophagitis are severe inflammatory orphan diseases characterized by the presence of high levels of eosinophils in the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus, respectively. Common symptoms of the diseases include severe abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, cramping, early satiety, loss of appetite, vomiting, dysphagia, and weight loss. The current estimated prevalence of eosinophilic gastritis and eosinophilic duodenitis in the United States is approximately 50,000 people. The estimated prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis in the United States is approximately 150,000 people. The Company believes that these diseases may be significantly under-diagnosed, or misdiagnosed, as other gastrointestinal diseases. There are no treatments approved specifically for these diseases. Treatment with systemic steroids can provide symptomatic improvement, but long-term treatment with steroids is generally not possible due to the numerous side effects. Allakos has received orphan drug designation for lirentelimab in eosinophilic gastritis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, and eosinophilic esophagitis.