Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Company's Phase 2 subcutaneous study of barzolvolimab in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). EoE is the most common type of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus. Several studies have suggested that mast cells may be an important driver in this disease.

Barzolvolimab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT with high specificity and potently inhibits its activity, which is required for the function and survival of the mast cell. Patients then enter a follow-up phase for an additional 16 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study is reducing esophageal intraepithelial infiltration of mast cells as assessed by peak esophageal intraep it count.

Secondary endpoints include the reduction of symptoms of dysphagia and esophageal intraep Ithelial infiltration of eosinophils and safety. When all clinical trial sites are open, the study will include approximately 60 clinical trial centers across 8 countries, including the United States. EoE, the most common type of eOSinophils, is a chronic inflammatory disease of theesophagus characterized by the infiltration of eosinophil.

This chronic inflammation can result in trouble allowing, chest pain, vomiting and impaction of food in the esophagus - a medical emergency. Currently, there are limited treatment options for EoE. Several studies have suggested thatmast cells may be an important driverin the disease.

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