Metelimumab is a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that neutralizes TGF beta 1

TGF beta 1

Transforming growth factor beta 1 or TGF-β1 is a polypeptide member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily of cytokines. It is a secreted protein that performs many cellular functions, including the control of cell growth, cell proliferation, cell differentiation and apoptosis...

 which had been chosen for further development for the treatment of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma. Touted as a drug of the future, Metelimumab was dropped from further development in favour of GC-1008, which is currently being developed by Genzyme

Genzyme

Genzyme Corporation is a fully owned subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis. Before its acquisition, Genzyme was an American biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2010, Genzyme was the world’s third-largest biotechnology company, employing more than 11,000 people around the world...

.

History

CAT-192 was isolated by Cambridge Antibody Technology

Cambridge Antibody Technology

Cambridge Antibody Technology was a biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom...

 using its phage display

Phage display

Phage display is a method for the study of protein–protein, protein–peptide, and protein–DNA interactions that uses bacteriophages to connect proteins with the genetic information that encodes them. Phage Display was originally invented by George P...

 technology. In 2000, Cambridge Antibody Technology signed a collaborative deal with Genzyme to further develop TGF beta

TGF beta

Transforming growth factor beta is a protein that controls proliferation, cellular differentiation, and other functions in most cells. It plays a role in immunity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Marfan syndrome, and Loeys–Dietz syndrome....

 antibodies.

In 2004, Cambridge Antibody Technology and Genzyme revealed that Phase I/II trials of CAT-192 for scleroderma showed the human anti-TGF-Beta1 monoclonal antibody to be safe and well tolerated across all dose levels, although no conclusions regarding efficacy of the compound could be made.

Initial trials targeted the skin condition scleroderma

Scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis or systemic scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disease or systemic connective tissue disease that is a subtype of scleroderma.-Skin symptoms:...

but, after some unsuccessful clinical trial results, the product was dropped in favour of GC-1008, which is currently being developed by Genzyme.