Background | Gevokizumab (XOMA-052) was developed by XOMA Ltd., USA and represents a humanized IgG2kappa antibody. XOMA-052 binds to IL-1β with high affinity leading to reduced binding affinity of the cytokine to its signaling receptor. Since gevokizumab does not influence the affinity of IL-1β for its decoy and soluble inhibitory receptors the endogenous regulatory mechanisms involving the clearance and inhibitory receptors also contribute to the effect of the antibody [6]. In August 2012 the FDA granted orphan drug status to gevokizumab for the treatment of noninfectious intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, panuveitis, and chronic noninfectious anterior uveitis. A single intravenous injection of the substance was also shown to lead to complete resolution of intraocular inflammation in Behçet’s uveitis. |