Lupus Foundation of America Comments on La Jolla's Decision to Stop Lupus Drug Development
February 12, 2009La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co (LJPC.O) and BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc (BMRN.O) said they would stop developing their experimental lupus treatment, Riquent, after an interim efficacy analysis showed negative results.
Following is a statement about the study results from Joan Merrill, M.D. Medical Director for the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA).
"We are disappointed that after so many years of development, Riquent will no longer be a candidate for lupus treatment. This treatment had outstanding safety and tolerability data over the years, but had never managed to meet its primary endpoints in trials. Our community has learned a lot about pitfalls in the design of lupus trials and we are hoping that some agents will succeed in the upcoming years."
While this development is disappointing, people with lupus can remain optimistic as more than two dozen clinical studies of potential new treatments for lupus are in various stages of development and evaluation. Additionally, research efforts continue to address gaps in understanding the cause and progression of lupus. New developments in research provide sound building blocks for future research.
The LFA is on the front lines of a variety of efforts to advance the science and medicine of lupus and to bring down the barriers that have impeded progress in lupus research. With the help of donors, researchers, and national policymakers, we are making advances toward safer, more tolerable, and effective treatments. We will continue our efforts until new and better treatment, and ultimately a cure, is found.
Read the official La Jolla press release here.