Genmab ends ofatumumab trials for autoimmune conditions; to focus on multiple sclerosis
pharmafile | March 9, 2016 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â Arzerra, GSKÂ
Danish drug-company Genmab (Nasdaq Copenhagen: GEN) said it will discontinue the late-stage trials for Arzerra (ofatumumab) to develop a treatment for autoimmune conditions, and will instead focus on relapsing multiple sclerosis.
UK drug major GlaxoSmithKline had initiated a Phase III study for rare skin condition, pemphigus vulgaris. The update comes after GSK handed over the rights for ofatumumab to Novartis at the end of 2015.
The company said it also does not have any current plans to develop ofatumumab for neuromyelitis optica, another autoimmune condition.
The switch is in a completely opposite direction from when Genmab partnered with GSK.
Ofatumumab is already marketed as a treatment for blood cancer.
The decision to discontinue the trial was not related to any safety or tolerability concerns, Genmab said in a statement.
Genmab also said it expects Phase III studies to be initiated by Novartis with the subcutaneous formulation of ofatumumab as therapy for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis during the second half of 2016.
Jan van de Winkel, chief executive of Genmab, said, “We are very pleased with Novartis’ commitment to move the development of ofatumumab forward in multiple sclerosis and look forward to the initiation of the Phase III studies in the second half of this year.”
Anjali Shukla
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