Anti-C1s humanized monoclonal antibody SAR445088: A classical pathway complement inhibitor specific for the active form of C1s.

The objective of this study was to characterize the complement-inhibiting activity of SAR445088, a novel monoclonal antibody specific for the active form of C1s. Wieslab® and hemolytic assays were used to demonstrate that SAR445088 is a potent, selective inhibitor of the classical pathway of complement. Specificity for the active form of C1s was confirmed in a ligand binding assay. Finally, TNT010 (a precursor to SAR445088) was assessed in vitro for its ability to inhibit complement activation associated with cold agglutinin disease (CAD). TNT010 inhibited C3b/iC3b deposition on human red blood cells incubated with CAD patient serum and decreased their subsequent phagocytosis by THP-1 cells. In summary, this study identifies SAR445088 as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of classical pathway-driven diseases and supports its continued assessment in clinical trials.

C1s Inhibition by BIVV009 (Sutimlimab) Prevents Complement-Enhanced Activation of Autoimmune Human B Cells In Vitro.

The classical pathway of complement (CP) can mediate C3 opsonization of Ags responsible for the costimulation and activation of cognate B lymphocytes. In this manner, the complement system acts as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems critical for establishing a humoral response. However, aberrant complement activation is often observed in autoimmune diseases in which C3 deposition on self-antigens may serve to activate self-reactive B cell clones. In this study, we use BIVV009 (Sutimlimab), a clinical stage, humanized mAb that specifically inhibits the CP-specific serine protease C1s to evaluate the impact of upstream CP antagonism on activation and proliferation of normal and autoimmune human B cells. We report that BIVV009 significantly inhibited complement-mediated activation and proliferation of primary human B cells. Strikingly, CP antagonism suppressed human Ig-induced activation of B cells derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These results suggest that clinical use of CP inhibitors in autoimmune patients may not only block complement-mediated tissue damage, but may also prevent the long-term activation of autoimmune B cells and the production of autoantibodies that contribute to the underlying pathologic condition of these diseases.

TNT003, an inhibitor of the serine protease C1s, prevents complement activation induced by cold agglutinins.

Activation of the classical pathway (CP) of complement is often associated with autoimmune disorders in which disease pathology is linked to the presence of an autoantibody. One such disorder is cold agglutinin disease (CAD), an autoimmune hemolytic anemia in which autoantibodies (cold agglutinins) bind to red blood cells (RBCs) at low temperatures. Anemia occurs as a result of autoantibody-mediated CP activation on the surface of the erythrocyte, leading to the deposition of complement opsonins that drive extravascular hemolysis in the liver. Here we test the effects of TNT003, a mouse monoclonal antibody targeting the CP-specific serine protease C1s, on CP activity induced by cold agglutinins on human RBCs. We collected 40 individual CAD patient samples and showed that TNT003 prevented cold agglutinin-mediated deposition of complement opsonins that promote phagocytosis of RBCs. Furthermore, we show that by preventing CP activation, TNT003 also prevents cold agglutinin-driven generation of anaphylatoxins. Finally, we provide evidence that CP activity in CAD patients terminates prior to activation of the terminal cascade, supporting the hypothesis that the primary route of RBC destruction in these patients occurs via extravascular hemolysis. Our results support the development of a CP inhibitor for the treatment of CAD.