Biogen Idec releases lumiliximab trial data

Biogen Idec has announced the results of a phase I/II study of lumiliximab, an investigational anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody. The results imply that it may be possible to combine the antibody with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab (FCR) for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

In the trial, the overall response rate for patients treated with the compound combined with FCR was 71 per cent, with ten per cent exhibiting partial response, 13 per cent unconfirmed partial response, and 52 per cent with complete response.

Complete response rate is used as a predictor of progression-free survival in patients with CLL.

John C Byrd, Warren Brown professor of Leukaemia Research, said: “The CD23 antibody is a promising therapeutic approach for this disease because of the antigen is highly expressed on B-CLL cells.”

He added that the 52 per cent complete response rate revealed by the study supported the theory that lumiliximab may work in conjunction with FCR treatment to expand the number of therapeutic options for patients with CLL.

Biogen Idec will follow these trials with a global clinical study comparing administration of luxmiliximab with FCR with treatment solely with FCR.

In October, Biogen Idec was named as a top employer of 2006 in the Biotech and Pharma Employer’s survey in Science magazine.