Incyte (NASDAQ: INCY), a pharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for rare blood cancers, has announced new research on INCA033989, a potential treatment for myelofibrosis (MF) and essential thrombocythemia (ET).

INCA033989 is an anti-mutant calreticulin targeted monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity to mutant calreticulin (CALR) and inhibits oncogenesis, the process of cells becoming cancerous, in cells expressing this oncoprotein.

The company says that this selectivity of action results in the specific killing of tumor cells harboring the mutation and is suggestive of the potential to alter the course of disease in patients with CALR-mutant MF and ET.

Pre-clinical data released by Incyte suggests that INCA033989 can reduce the burden of mutant CALR allele, a protein that is responsible for disease development in 25-35% of patients with MF and ET. It may also be an effective and safe treatment option.

“As a pioneer in the field of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), having brought the first FDA-approved treatment to patients, we are excited to have the opportunity to share details of our latest research,” said Dash Dhanak, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Incyte. “We continue to apply our deep understanding of the complex biology of MPNs to expand treatment options for patients and the work on INCA033989 presented today reflects our progress toward this goal. We look forward to continuing to advance the development of this potential new treatment and to initiating clinical trials for INCA033989 next year.”

The company says that it plans to initiate clinical trials for INCA033989 in 2023.

Incyte's work on INCA033989 is part of its LIMBER program, which evaluates new targets and combinations for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This research showcases Incyte's expertise in the field of MPNs and its dedication to discovering innovative treatments for these rare blood cancers.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of blood cancers that affect the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. These cancers are more common in older adults, and it is estimated that there may be as many as 200,000 people in the US living with the most prevalent MPNs: myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, or essential thrombocythemia.

Incyte is a biopharmaceutical company based in Wilmington, Delaware. The company focuses on finding solutions for unmet medical needs by discovering, developing, and commercializing proprietary therapeutics.

Shares of Incyte trade on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol INCY. For more information visit www.incyte.com.