What is "belatacept"

n. A fusion protein, similar to abatacept, used to improve graft survival after transplantation.

Belatacept (trade name Nulojix) is a fusion protein composed of the Fc fragment of a human IgG1 immunoglobulin linked to the extracellular domain of CTLA-4, which is a molecule crucial in the regulation of T-cell costimulation, selectively blocking the process of T-cell activation. It is intended to provide extended graft survival while limiting the toxicity generated by standard immune suppressing regimens, such as calcineurin inhibitors. It differs from abatacept (Orencia) by only 2 amino acids.

Belatacept was developed by Bristol-Myers-Squibb and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 15, 2011.