Fresolimumab was discovered by Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) scientists[4] and was one of a pair of candidate drugs that were identified for the treatment of the fatal condition scleroderma. CAT chose to co-develop the two drugs metelimumab (CAT-192) and fresolimumab with Genzyme. During early development, around 2004, CAT decided to drop development of metelimumab in favour of fresolimumab.[5]
In February 2011 Sanofi-Aventis agreed to buy Genzyme for US$20.1 billion.[6]
As of June 2011[update] the drug was being tested in humans (clinical trials) against IPF, renal disease, and cancer.[7][8] On 13 August 2012, Genzyme applied to begin a Phase 2 clinical trial in primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis[9] comparing fresolimumab versus placebo.
As of July 2014[update], Sanofi-Aventis continue to list fresolimumab in their research and development portfolio under Phase II development.[10]
^Clinical trial number NCT01665391 for "A Study of Fresolimumab in Patients With Steroid-Resistant Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)" at ClinicalTrials.gov