By Melodie Warner
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) and Active Biotech AB
(ACTI.SK) said a study showed oral laquinimod, an investigational
drug for active lupus nephritis, improved renal function when
combined with the standard treatment.
Lupus is a chronic and often disabling autoimmune disease.
Active lupus nephritis is one of the most serious manifestations of
lupus and can lead to chronic kidney failure, Teva said.
The drug maker said results from a Phase IIa study revealed
62.5% of patients who received laquinimod achieved renal response
at 24 weeks, compared with 33.3% of patients who only received the
current standard treatment of mycophenolate mofetil and
corticosteroids.
"The favorable trends towards laquinimod treatment in the renal
end-points, coupled with the safety and tolerability profile,
provide a rationale for further Phase III clinical studies," said
principal investigator David Jayne of the Vasculitis and Lupus
Clinic at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
Teva's shares were recently trading 1.8% lower at $39.11
premarket. The stock is up 6.7% for the year, through Tuesday's
close.
Write to Melodie Warner at melodie.warner@dowjones.com
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