First-in-class inflammasome-targeting antibody to restore gut health in inflammatory bowel diseases

ASCEND aims to develop MY012, a monoclonal antibody targeting ASC, a key component of the inflammasome pathway, for inflammatory bowel diseases. The Karolinska Institutet team contributes human organoid-based disease models and transcriptomic analysis to better understand patient heterogeneity and improve prediction of responses to MY012 and future therapies. The expected final product is a novel monoclonal anti-inflammasome antibody targeting ASC, with activity expected at sites of pathological ASC speck propagation caused by chronic inflammation, such as the intestinal mucosa in IBD patients. The planned work builds on existing preclinical data in a mouse model of acute inflammation and ex vivo intestinal organoids, while also using transcriptomic analyses to identify IBD biomarkers and molecular signatures for patient stratification.

This project contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 9.