Equine IL-31 Neutralizing Antibody for Treating Pruritic Skin Disease

Treats Allergic Itching in Horses by Specifically Blocking IL-31 Activity

This equine IL-31 neutralizing antibody provides a targeted treatment for pruritic skin disease, relieving allergic itching in horses by specifically blocking IL-31 activity. Allergic skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and insect bite hypersensitivity trigger intense pruritus, resulting in self-trauma and secondary bacterial infections, and performance loss in affected horses. As shown in dogs, IL-31 has been shown to be a validated pruritogenic cytokine in horses; IL-31 challenge induces itch behavior and activates downstream STAT signaling pathways in equine cells. Current treatments are limited by symptomatic (non–disease-modifying) action, variable and often incomplete efficacy, relapse on withdrawal, safety/tolerability trade-offs with chronic use, imperfect vector control and environmental avoidance, diagnostic imprecision for insect allergens, and high cost and adherence challenges over long seasons. Additionally, the market lacks mechanism-based innovations that directly inhibit the itch-inducing pathway. Therefore, there is an evident need for a therapeutic targeting a disease-relevant mechanism that can deliver faster, more durable itch control and reduced lesion burden.

Researchers at the University of Florida have developed an antibody that directly neutralizes IL-31, a key pruritogenic cytokine in horses. When developed into and long-acting equinized monoclonal antibody injectable, it has the potential to offer steroid-sparing control of itch with improved durability and safety versus symptomatic therapies. This technology can translate across veterinary applications from sport and companion horses to herd management.

Application

A mechanism-based IL-31 neutralizing biologic for equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) and related allergic pruritic dermatoses

Advantages

• Neutralizes IL-31 signaling, shown to rapidly reduce pruritus and self-trauma in other species
• Targets a validated itch pathway not currently exploited by the available treatments for horses, potentially delivering rapid, durable control where symptomatic treatments fail
• Highly specific targeting of IL-31 provides a steroid-sparing mechanism, minimizing systemic side effects and monitoring burden
• Enables the development of more effective therapies, reducing hypersensitivity allergy burden

Technology

This technology is a monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes interleukin-31 (IL-31), the cytokine that triggers itch signaling and downstream STAT activation in skin. By blocking IL-31/IL-31R interaction, the antibody interrupts the pruritogenic cascade, reducing itch behaviors and lesion severity. This provides a unique mechanism of action, distinct from existing symptomatic therapies, and has the potential to reduce the burden of equine allergies.