Allakos Presents Preclinical Data Highlighting Inhibition of MRGPRX2-Mediated Mast Cell Activation with AK006 at AAAAI 2024

– Atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis skin lesions show evidence of MRGPRX2 mast cell activation and activated macrophages –

– AK006 inhibited mast cell activation and reduced mast cell numbers in an MRGPRX2-induced skin inflammation model –

SAN CARLOS, Calif., Feb. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allakos Inc. (Nasdaq: ALLK), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics that target immunomodulatory receptors present on immune effector cells involved in allergy, inflammatory and proliferative diseases, today announced a poster presentation at the 2024 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting. The poster highlights preclinical data detailing AK006’s mechanism of action and ability to reduce MRGPRX2-induced skin inflammation.

Inappropriate mast cell activation, via IgE-dependent and IgE-independent pathways, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory skin diseases. IgE-dependent mast cell activation has been identified as a pathogenic driver of chronic spontaneous urticaria and food allergy and agents which target this pathway have demonstrated therapeutic activity. More recently, mast cell activation through MRGPRX2, an IgE independent mast cell activation pathway, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria, atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis.

AAAAI Presentation Details:
The poster, titled: “MRGPRX2-Mediated Mast Cell Activation is a Shared Pathogenic Mechanism in Atopic Dermatitis and Prurigo Nodularis Patients that can be Inhibited by Siglec-6” was presented on Friday, February 23^rd, key findings include:

• IgE-independent mast cell activation, via MRGPRX2, has been implicated in atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis disease pathogenesis
• Atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis skin lesions contain mast cells displaying signs of MRGPRX2 activation, as well as elevated and activated macrophages
• AK006 has a dual mechanism of action that inhibits mast cells and reduces mast cells via antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) in the presence of activated macrophages
• In an MRGPRX2-induced skin inflammation model, AK006 reduced skin inflammation and reduced mast cells numbers via ADCP
• By broadly inhibiting and reducing mast cells, AK006 has the potential to treat inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, and chronic spontaneous urticaria