Potential Lupus Drug Deucravacitinib Moves Onto Phase 3 Clinical Trial

Given the consistent and positive research findings to date, the trial drug deucravacitinib will now move into Phase 3 studies as a potential treatment for lupus. Phase 3 studies build on earlier clinical trials when a drug shows promise and warrants further investigation in a larger group of people. This is the final research stage, which can last from one to four years, before a treatment can be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and become a widely available treatment.

The news comes on the heels of Phase 2 trial results shared at this year’s European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) annual conference. The 48-week study showed that deucravacitinib was safe, well tolerated and effective for people with lupus. Study participants who received the oral drug saw greater improvements in several measures of disease activity, including overall activity and organ-specific activity, compared to the placebo group.

The findings and newly announced next steps are exciting developments in lupus drug news, and the Lupus Foundation of America will continue to share the latest updates on deucravacitinib and other lupus treatments. To learn more about the Phase 2 trial, read the abstract presented at EULAR 2022.

Read the Study Abstract