Novartis AG Sponsored ADR pharmaceutical (NVS.US) anti-BAFF-R monoclonal antibody two Phase III studies successful.

On August 11, Novartis AG Sponsored ADR Pharmaceutical (NVS.US) announced that two Phase III studies (NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2) of Ianalumab (VAY736) for the treatment of active Sjgren's syndrome have shown positive results. The drug is expected to become the first targeted therapy for Sjgren's syndrome. Ianalumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting B lymphocyte activation factor receptor (BAFF-R) acquired by Novartis AG Sponsored ADR through the acquisition of MorphoSys. It has a dual mechanism of action of depleting B cells and inhibiting BAFF-R, and can be used to treat a variety of autoimmune diseases such as Sjgren's syndrome, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This drug is the first anti-BAFF-R antibody to complete Phase III studies.