“Therefore, cynomolgus monkey was determined to be the single relevant species for nonclinical evaluations.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 11Source ↗
Why that species
High-affinity (low nM) binding to CD20 on human and cynomolgus B cells; no binding to rodent CD20
“Ublituximab binds with high affinity (low nM range) to CD20 on B cells from human and cynomolgus monkey. The product does not bind to rodent CD20.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 11Source ↗
Surrogate molecule
Yes: human CD20 transgenic mice, used for an embryo-fetal development study with ublituximab
“In a subsequent study conducted in pregnant CD20 (huCD20) transgenic mice, a pharmacologically relevant animal model, intravenous administration of ublituximab-xiiy (0, 5, 20, or 50 mg/kg) during organogenesis (gestation day 6 and 12) resulted in no adverse effects on embryofetal development.”