This product is a research-grade biosimilar of barzolvolimab, an anti-KIT (CD117) monoclonal antibody supplied as an unconjugated, non-therapeutic analog of the originator molecule for research use only. It is built around the KIT target (UniProt P10721) and formatted as a human IgG1, kappa immunoglobulin matching the originator framework. Barzolvolimab (originally CDX-0159) was developed as a humanized antibody that binds KIT and blocks activation by its ligand stem cell factor (SCF), thereby interrupting the signaling that mast cells depend on for survival and function; in clinical development it has been studied primarily in mast-cell-driven conditions such as chronic spontaneous and chronic inducible urticaria. This reagent is intended for functional and in-vitro laboratory characterization rather than clinical use. It is produced at low endotoxin (research grade, less than 1 EU/mg) and is available in bulk milligram-to-gram quantities, making it suitable as a reference or comparator analog in binding, receptor-blockade, and related assays. It is not a clinical drug and should not be used therapeutically or diagnostically.
KIT (CD117, encoded by KIT; UniProt P10721) is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase and the receptor for stem cell factor (SCF). SCF binding drives receptor dimerization, autophosphorylation, and downstream signaling through pathways including PI3K/AKT, RAS/MAPK, and JAK/STAT. KIT signaling is essential for the development, survival, proliferation, tissue migration, and activation of mast cells, and it also contributes to hematopoietic stem cell, melanocyte, and germ cell biology. Because mast cells rely on the SCF-KIT axis, blocking this receptor depletes mast-cell populations and reduces their inflammatory output, which underlies interest in KIT-directed antibodies for mast-cell-mediated disease. Activating KIT mutations are also implicated in gastrointestinal stromal tumors, mastocytosis, and certain leukemias, making KIT a widely studied target in both immunology and oncology research.