Xentria’s Collaborative Model: A Case Study in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Founded in 2020, Xentria’s mission is to address unmet clinical needs through innovative collaboration. The company combines internal expertise and industry relationships with a forward-thinking approach to transform challenging drug targets into promising clinical programs. A prime example of this is Xentria’s development of XTMAB-16, an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) monoclonal antibody currently in clinical trials for pulmonary sarcoidosis, a rare inflammatory disease.
Addressing the Challenges of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Treatment
While similar molecules have shown potential in treating pulmonary sarcoidosis, corticosteroids remain the only approved treatment option. However, chronic steroid use often leads to debilitating side effects, highlighting the urgent need for alternative therapies. The heterogeneous nature of sarcoidosis and the complexities of designing effective clinical trials have historically hindered drug development in this area.
Xentria’s Innovative Approach to Clinical Trials
To overcome these challenges, Xentria adopted a collaborative and evidence-based approach. Working closely with key opinion leaders, patient advocacy groups, and scientists globally, Xentria designed an innovative clinical trial that prioritizes meaningful patient outcomes. This included incorporating key physiologic and quality-of-life measures and aligning with regulatory agencies to ensure clinically relevant endpoints.
Leveraging Bio-Simulation Modeling for Optimized Dosing
Xentria employed novel scientific strategies, including bio-simulation modeling, to address disease heterogeneity and predict XTMAB-16’s distribution in pulmonary granulomas. This innovative approach, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, helped determine safe and effective doses for clinical trials. By combining in vitro and first-in-human clinical trial data, Xentria developed a population pharmacokinetic model to evaluate variability and guide dosing strategies. This marked the first time bio-simulation modeling influenced dosing in a sarcoidosis trial, significantly de-risking future development.
Prioritizing Patient-Centric Drug Development
Xentria prioritized patient engagement, ensuring their voices were heard throughout the development process. The company considered race, gender, and socioeconomic disparities in trial design, implementing inclusive criteria and minimizing burdens on patients and researchers. Diversity and inclusion were also central to selecting strategic partners for XTMAB-16 trials.
Xentria’s Partnership Success and Future Directions
Xentria’s successful development of XTMAB-16 led to a North American commercialization licensing agreement with Meitheal Pharmaceuticals in 2023. This achievement validates Xentria’s collaborative model and its ability to bring challenging R&D programs to fruition. Building on this success, Xentria seeks new co-development partnerships to expand its pipeline and deliver accessible treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. The company welcomes collaborations with researchers possessing preclinical or clinical-stage assets, further solidifying its commitment to patient-focused drug development. Xentria’s commitment to fostering growth within the Chicago life sciences sector underscores its dedication to advancing medical innovation and improving patient lives.
References
- Offman, E. et al. Front. Pharmacol. 14, 1066454 (2023).
- Licensing Agreement to Commercialize XTMAB-16 in Sarcoidosis | XENTRIA & Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Announce Exclusive Licensing Agreement for XTMAB-16 In North America. https://xentria.com/news/11 (2023).
