Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of cartilage and blood vessels. Pain and swelling in joints, sensitivity to sun, unexplained fever, joints and muscle pain, mouth ulcers, swollen glands, and others are some common symptoms of the disease. Additionally, kidneys, lungs, heart, and others can also get affected by SLE. The diagnosis of SLE is little difficult as it requires multiple tests and constant analysis. Anticardiolipin antibody test, antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, blood chemistries, complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are some tests to diagnose the disease.
Companies that are developing therapeutics for SLE have shown positive clinical results in the various phases of drug development. For instance, in March 2018, Ablynx announced topline results of vobarilizumab phase II trials. Treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in 2.0% of all vobarilizumab treated patients as compared to 6.5% in patients administered with placebo. The percentage of patients experiencing a serious infection was also lower in the vobarilizumab arms compared to the placebo arm (2.8% versus 6.5%). Treatment-emergent adverse events that led to study drug discontinuation were reported in 12.4% of all vobarilizumab treated patients.
Pharmaceutical companies are tending to develop various strategies to enhance the therapeutic pipeline of SLE. For instance, Ablynx is developing vobarilizumab for the treatment of vobarilizumab with the help of its proprietary Nanobody technology.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Anthera Pharmaceuticals Inc., Genentech Inc., UCB Biopharma SPRL, Merck & Co. Inc., Ablynx, and GlaxoSmithKline plc are some of the prominent players for developing drugs and therapies for SLE.
Browse report overview with detailed TOC on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Therapeutics – Pipeline Analysis, Patents, Designations, and Collaborations
