Axatilimab: First Approval

Axatilimab (NIKTIMVO™; axatilimab-csfr), an anti-colony-stimulating Factor 1 Receptor (CSF-1R) humanized IgG4 (κ light chain) monoclonal antibody, is being developed by Incyte Corporation and Syndax Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and other indications, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In August 2024, axatilimab was approved in the USA for the treatment of cGVHD after failure of at least two prior lines of systemic therapy in adult and paediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg. Axatilimab was added to the NCCN guidelines for cGVHD in August 2024. This article summarizes the development milestones leading to this first approval of axatilimab for the treatment of cGVHD.