Bimagrumab

Bimagrumab (BYM338) is a human monoclonal antibody developed by Novartis^{[citation needed]} to treat pathological muscle loss and weakness. It binds to and inhibits activin receptor type-2B.^[1]

Bimagrumab

Monoclonal antibody
Type	?
Source	Human
Target	ACVR2B
Clinical data
Other names	BYM338
Routes of administration	Intravenous
ATC code	none
Identifiers
CAS Number	1356922-05-8
ChemSpider	none
UNII	N15SW1DIV8
KEGG	D10620 Y
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C6306H9732N1684O1990S46
Molar mass	142451.78 g·mol−1

Bimagrumab must be administered intravenously at a hospital or clinic. The medication has a long half-life and is administered once a month.^[2]

Development history

On August 20, 2013, it was announced that bimagrumab had received a breakthrough therapy designation for sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).^[3]

In 2014, Bimagrumab entered Phase II development, with some research indicating clinical effects.^[4] Novartis planned to apply in 2016 for FDA approval to treat sIBM patients with bimagrumab.^[5]

In April 2016, Novartis announced that bimagrumab had failed a Phase IIb/III study for sporadic inclusion body myositis.^[6] In January 2021, a new study confirmed that treatment with bimagrumab is safe and effective for treating excess adiposity and metabolic disturbances of adult patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.^[7] In January 2023 the medication entered phase IIb trials for obesity.^[2]