News

Data on Phase 2b Trial of Lupus Immunotherapy, IFNα Kinoid, Well-Received by Monitoring Board

The Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating interferon-alpha (IFNα) Kinoid, Neovacs’ immunotherapy candidate for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), received a positive interim data review from the Independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (IDSMB) overseeing the study. The randomized, multicenter and international clinical trial (NCT02665364) is evaluating the  biological…

Lupus Activity Falls when Anifrolumab Is Added to Therapy Mix, Trial Shows

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had lower disease activity when they took the investigational treatment anifrolumab along with standard medications, according to a recently completed Phase 2b clinical trial (NCT01438489). Noting the treatment’s potential to target several organs and ease the  disease’s symptoms, researchers called the trial “the…

Higher Lupus Incidence in Asians Linked to Two Novel Genetic Variations

Novel genetic variations known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with a higher incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Asians, research shows. The study, “Evaluation of 10 SLE susceptibility loci in Asian populations, which were initially identified in European populations,” was published in the journal Scientific Reports. A…

Celgene to Acquire Delinia with Goal of Moving Immunotherapy for Lupus into Testing

Celgene Corporation announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Delinia, a biotech developing therapeutics for autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The acquisition will expand Celgene’s inflammation and immunology pipeline of potential next-generation medicines, including Delinia’s lead program, DEL106. DEL106 is a potent and highly…

Immunovia’s IMMray Differentiates Lupus from Other Autoimmune Diseases, Study Shows

Immunovia‘s IMMray antibody-analysis technology can differentiate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren’s disease, and vasculitis with an accuracy of more than 90%, according to new research. Immunovia teamed up with Lund University’s IDEA Center in Sweden to evaluate IMMray as a biomarker that can distinguish between SLE and…

Molecule Key to Joint Inflammation Identified, May Lead to Improved Arthritis Treatments

Researchers have identified a factor that controls immune cells’ entry into joints, which leads to arthritis in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Though they are studying other factors in the process, they believe these findings could lead to new treatments that are more effective in preventing arthritis. “Inflammatory arthritis is caused when immune…