GSK/J&J release how their drug measures up against Humira
pharmafile | November 18, 2016 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development |Â Â GSK, Humira, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, sirukumabÂ
GlaxoSmithKline and Janssen, part of Johnson & Johnson, released the results of their two Phase III trials exploring treatment options for adults suffering from active rheumatoid arthritis, in comparison with market leader Humira. The trial evaluated the drug sirukumab, co-developed by the two companies, which is a human anti-interleukin (IL)-6 monoclonal antibody.
The results of the trial, SIRROUND-H study, met its primary endpoint by displaying that the drug displayed significantly greater improvement than Humira in the Disease Activity Score (DAS28). Patients received 100mb of sirukumab every two weeks. Though the primary endpoint was met, the secondary endpoint was not med – with no significant difference between sirukumab and Humira in reducing symptoms by at least 50%.
The second trial, SIRROUND-T, found that patients who were treated with sirukumab, at 50mg and 100mb doses, achieved the primary endpoint of displaying improvement in symptoms by week 16 that was 20% above the rate of the placebo.
“We are focused on developing a range of therapeutic options to help meet the needs of people living with RA, including individuals who are still searching for an effective option having not experienced success with other advanced therapies,” said Newman Yeilding, head of immunology development, Janssen Research & Development. “We believe the sirukumab data generated to date show the potential of this IL-6-targeted therapy to benefit adults living with moderately to severely active RA in the future, and we look forward to continuing to work with global health authorities on the applications that have been submitted.”
The news is positive, though it would have disappointed the respective companies that the drug was conclusively able to outperform Humira in all-endpoints.
Ben Hargreaves
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