Serono reports positive data for investigational lupus drug

Serono, the Swiss pharmaceutical manufacturer, has reported positive results for atacicept, an investigational therapy indicated for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

In conjunction with its development partner, ZymoGenetics, Serono presented the results of a phase Ib clinical trial for the drug that revealed “clear biologic activity”, corresponding with dose-related reductions in the biologic markers that atacicept was designed to target.

Furthermore, the compound was “well tolerated” in all dosage levels, the company stated.

Frank Latrille, senior executive vice president, corporate global product development at Serono, remarked: “The phase Ib results are very encouraging and we are looking forward to moving the clinical development of atacicept in patients with SLE to phase II.”

Bruce LA Carter, president and chief executive officer of ZymoGenetics, added that the companies believe that atacicept could have the potential to treat lupus effectively.

Lupus, an autoimmune disease, is characterised by tissue damage and pain. According to the Lupus Site, the disease can affect certain ethnic groups more than others. The rate of incidence for Caucasians is approximately one in 1,000, but for African-Americans it is more like one in every 250.

Serono is currently in the process of being acquired by Merck KGaA, the German pharmaceutical company.