La Jolla says new analysis shows lupus patients could benefit from Riquent to control antibody levels

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Nov. 14 - La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. said Monday that a new analysis of existing data demonstrate that lupus patients with longer periods of sustained reductions in antibody levels are more likely to have favorable clinical prognosis than patients with shorter periods of sustained reductions.

La Jolla said it believes the data further supports the importance of controlling antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in lupus patients with a history of renal disease to reduce the risk of renal flares that can result in renal failure, the need for dialysis and death.

The company's drug candidate, Riquent, for lupus renal disease was shown to significantly reduce antibodies to dsDNA in phase 2/3 and phase 3 clinical trials, according to a company news release.

The company will present the data in a poster presentation at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting.

La Jolla said it also plans to present data from its preclinical evaluation of small molecules targeting SSAO for the treatment of inflammation, which showed clinical benefits in animals with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and stroke.

San Diego-based La Jolla is a biotechnology company focused on the development of therapeutics for antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases and inflammation.

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