Bertilimumab is a

human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, cultu ...

monoclonal antibody A monoclonal antibody (mAb, more rarely called moAb) is an antibody produced from a cell Lineage made by cloning a unique white blood cell. All subsequent antibodies derived this way trace back to a unique parent cell. Monoclonal antibodies ...

that binds to eotaxin-1, an important regulator of overall

eosinophil Eosinophils, sometimes called eosinophiles or, less commonly, acidophils, are a variety of white blood cells (WBCs) and one of the immune system components responsible for combating multicellular parasites and certain infections in vertebrates. A ...

function. It was discovered by Cambridge Antibody Technology using their

phage display Phage display is a laboratory technique for the study of protein–protein, protein–peptide, and protein– DNA interactions that uses bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) to connect proteins with the genetic information that encodes ...

technology. Named CAT-213 during early discovery and development by CAT, it was to be used to treat severe allergic disorders. In January 2007, CAT licensed the drug for treatment of allergy disorders to iCo Therapeutics Inc. iCo Therapeutics Inc. is a Vancouver-based reprofiling company focused on redosing or reformulating drugs with clinical history for new or expanded indications - a so-called 'search and development company'. iCo Therapeutics Inc. renamed the drug from CAT-213 to iCo-008 and, at that stage, planned to initiate a Phase II clinical trial in patients with vernal

keratoconjunctivitis Keratoconjunctivitis is inflammation ("-itis") of the cornea and conjunctiva. When only the cornea is inflamed, it is called '' keratitis''; when only the conjunctiva is inflamed, it is called ''conjunctivitis''. Causes There are several potent ...

. In March 2008, iCo announced iCo-008 had been in 126 patients in Phase I and II clinical trials. The drug substance had been manufactured by Lonza, in its cGMP facilities in

Slough Slough () is a town and unparished area in the unitary authority of the same name in Berkshire, England, bordering west London. It lies in the Thames Valley, west of central London and north-east of Reading, at the intersection of the ...

, UK. Subsequently, iCo moved the drug substance to a fill-finish site for the final stage of manufacturing. iCo reported that the iCo-008 drug product was within specifications and contained a high antibody yield.

References

Experimental drugs {{antineoplastic-drug-stub