GSK launches PhIII lupus combo study with Benlysta/rituximab; Cipher snatches Canadian drug portfolio from Cardiome
→ GSK says it’s launching a Phase III combo study to see how its lupus drug Benlysta (belimumab) will work when combined with rituximab. The monoclonal antibody rituximab has historically been used to treat cancers like leukemia and lymphomas, but also has been effective fighting rheumatoid arthritis. GSK hopes combining Benlysta (the only biologic approved to treat lupus) with rituximab will push lupus into remission. “Belimumab has already demonstrated its consistent efficacy in reducing disease activity for patients with SLE, with four successful Phase III trials,” Gijs van den Brink, GSK’s global head for immuno-inflammation R&D, said in a statement. “The underlying biology of the disease, combined with the results from a small investigator-sponsored study in severe refractory SLE (lupus), provide a strong scientific rationale for initiating this study. Our aim with this study is to assess whether the combination treatment will not only achieve a state of low disease activity, but potentially also achieve clinical remission in patients living with this chronic and unpredictable disease.”
Unlock this article instantly by becoming a free subscriber.
You’ll get access to free articles each month, plus you can customize what newsletters get delivered to your inbox each week, including breaking news.
