Singapore: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, a research-driven, global integrated pharmaceutical company announced that its novel monoclonal antibody (MAb), GR 830 has successfully completed the phase I testing and was now under human trials.

GBR 830 is an antagonistic monoclonal antibody, with a potential to treat autoimmune diseases by targeting T cells. With this, Glenmark now has three monoclonal antibodies in clinical development.

The antibody targets OX40, a co-stimulatory receptor on auto reactive T cells. The pharma giant said that this experimental antibody candidate showed increased efficiency in affecting T cell proliferation, and exhibited a good safety profile.

The drug could potentially treat many autoimmune disorders like as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and lupus. GBR 830 does not exhibit agonism that increases the safety profile of the drug, preventing any side effects.

Dr Michael Buschle, president of Biologics and chief scientific officer, Glenmark said that GBR 830 was a very difficult program and the progress made by scientists was truly commendable.