Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 4, 2026

Bermekimab

Bermekimab is a human monoclonal antibody of IgG1k isotype targeting Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α).

Last revised
Aug 4, 2026
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Wikipedia ↗
Bermekimab
Monoclonal antibody
TypeWhole antibody
SourceHuman
TargetIL-1α
Clinical data
Trade namesXilonix
Other namesMABp1
Routes of
administration		intravenous
ATC code
Identifiers
CAS Number
DrugBank
ChemSpider
  • none
UNII
KEGG
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC6464H10024N1736O2000S44
Molar mass145468.09 g·mol−1

Bermekimab1 (MABp1, trade name Xilonix) is a human monoclonal antibody of IgG1k isotype targeting Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α).2

Bermekimab was developed by XBiotech Inc.3

After Phase III trials in Poland failed to show significant improvement in either lean body mass or quality of life, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) rejected the drug application4.

The company Janssen Pharmaceutical acquired the license for the drug from XBiotech5 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa for $750 million.

As of June 2021, bermekimab was also terminated in phase III clinical trials as an immunotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer6. The original aim was to treat the debilitating symptoms seen in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, such as muscle wasting. The study was terminated as it had crossed the prospective futility boundary of the primary endpoint.

As of March 2021 an additional phase II clinical trial for the treatment of atopic dermatitis was completed7. In February 2022, Janssen and Johnson & Johnson announced ending development of bermekimab in eczema but said it will continue to work on the previously rejected XBiotech drug in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The move resulted in a $610 million pretax impairment charge8. As of January 2023, bermekimab is no longer being developed for hidradenitis suppurativa.9

References

References

  1. Statement On A Nonproprietary Name Adopted By The USAN Council - Bermekimab, American Medical Association.
  2. Hong DS, Hui D, Bruera E, Janku F, Naing A, Falchook GS, et al. (May 2014). "MABp1, a first-in-class true human antibody targeting interleukin-1α in refractory cancers: an open-label, phase 1 dose-escalation and expansion study". The Lancet. Oncology. 15 (6): 656–66. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(14)70155-X. PMID 24746841.
  3. "Xilonix True Human monoclonal antibody by Xbiotech oncology". www.xbiotech.com. XBiotech. Archived from the original on 28 January 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  4. Taylor, Phil (May 19, 2017). "XBiotech's worst fears come true as EMA rejects colorectal cancer drug | Fierce Biotech". Fiercebiotech.com. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  5. "Janssen to Acquire Investigational Bermekimab from XBiotech". Jnj.com. December 9, 2019. Retrieved Jun 18, 2026.
  6. Clinical trial number NCT01767857 for "A Phase III Study of Xilonix in Patients With Advanced Colorectal Cancer (XCITE)" at ClinicalTrials.gov
  7. Clinical trial number NCT03496974 for "A Phase II Study of Bermekimab (MABp1) in Patients With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis" at ClinicalTrials.gov
  8. LaHucik, Kyle (February 2, 2022). "J&J discontinues work on eczema drug, leading to $610M in impairment charges for ex-XBiotech asset | Fierce Biotech". Fiercebiotech.com. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  9. "Bermekimab - Janssen Biotech - AdisInsight". adisinsight.springer.com. Retrieved 2026-02-26.