(LFA-1 Antagonist)
LFA-1, a cell adhesion molecule selectively expressed on leukocytes, plays a major role in the activation and trafficking of T lymphocytes in the tissue at sites of inflammation. In the last decade a large body of preclinical data has accumulated to establish the importance of LFA-1 as a biological target, particularly in chronic, T-cell driven inflammatory conditions like psoriasis. ICOS scientists have expanded their understanding of how LFA-1 is regulated and have demonstrated that LFA-1 antagonists bind to LFA-1 and inhibit T lymphocyte activation.
In December 2006, ICOS announced the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of IC776.