Teva Launches Lupus Clinical Trial
- By BSTQ Staff
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is investigating whether its drug Laquinimod, which is in a Phase III clinical trial for treating multiple sclerosis, also is suitable for treating lupus. Patients are being recruited for a Phase IIa clinical trial for Laquinimod for treating lupus nephritis, which affects the kidneys, and lupus arthritis, which affects joints.
Teva is developing Laquinimod with Swedish company Active Biotech. The drug is being investigated for fast-track approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and could be approved for marketing by 2012. The approval will be for only MS, but there are indications that Laquinimod is effective for treating other autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as lupus.