NextCure, Inc. announced preclinical data for NC605, an anti-Siglec-15 antibody, showing improved bone microarchitecture and reduced fractures in an osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) mouse model. The data, presented at the Brittle Bone Society Meeting, suggest NC605 could be a promising treatment for OI, also known as brittle bone disease. Current OI treatments focus on inhibiting bone loss, but often result in poor bone quality. NC605, in contrast, shows potential to both inhibit bone loss and stimulate new bone growth with improved quality and density.
This research is particularly important for OI patients, who currently lack effective treatment options. The potential of NC605 to address both bone loss and stimulate healthy bone formation represents a significant advance over existing therapies, offering hope for improved bone health and reduced fracture risk. This development is crucial given the debilitating nature of OI and the limited therapeutic landscape.
In the preclinical study, NC605’s murine surrogate antibody, NP159, improved several key bone parameters, including cortical and trabecular bone mineral density, tissue mineral density, and cortical thickness, while also decreasing trabecular separation. These improvements were observed in comparison to both saline-treated control mice and mice treated with an anti-sclerostin antibody, a current focus of OI research. NextCure is currently seeking funding to advance NC605 towards an Investigational New Drug submission within the next 12 to 18 months.
This preclinical data signifies a potential turning point in OI treatment. While further research, including clinical trials, is needed, the promising results suggest NC605 could become a valuable new therapy, offering hope for a better quality of life for individuals with OI. The successful securing of funding will be crucial for the continued development of NC605 and its potential to address this unmet medical need.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
