What is "teplizumab"

n. A monoclonal antibody used as an immunosuppressive drug.

Teplizumab (also known as MGA031 and hOKT3γ1(Ala-Ala)) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is used as an immunosuppressive drug. The Fc region of this antibody has been engineered to have Fc receptor non-binding (FNB) properties. Teplizumab was originally developed at Columbia University, and was then further developed at MacroGenics, Inc.

This antibody has been used in clinical trials with the aim of protecting the remaining β-cells in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus patients, but "these agents [i. e. anti- CD3-antibodies] alone do not restore normal glucose control".

Eli Lilly licensed the drug back in 2007 from MacroGenics with a $41 million upfront and a billion dollars pledged for milestones.

It is in Phase-3 clinical trials for Type-1 DM. One-year data from one phase III trial was disappointing.