Stopping Guillain-Barré Syndrome at Its Source

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare, rapidly progressive autoimmune disorder in which harmful inflammation attacks peripheral nerves, potentially causing acute paralysis, respiratory failure, and lasting disability. Annexon is developing tanruperbart, a single-infusion monoclonal antibody designed to block C1q, the initiator of the classical complement pathway. By inhibiting C1q early in GBS, Annexon believes it can interrupt the harmful inflammatory cascade before it causes further peripheral nerve damage. Doug Love, CEO of Annexon, discusses the biological role of the classical complement pathway in Guillain-Barré syndrome, the limitations of current nonspecific standards of care, and the company’s effort to bring a targeted monoclonal antibody designed to rapidly halt the inflammatory cascade in patients with this condition.