- Phase 2 data demonstrate sustained improvement in disease activity
through three years of LymphoStat-B (belimumab) therapy -
- No increase in adverse events, malignancies, infections or laboratory
abnormalities over time -
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Human Genome
Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI) today announced the presentation of results
from a long- term Phase 2 continuation trial showing that LymphoStat-B(R)
(belimumab) was associated with sustained improvement in disease activity
across multiple clinical measures, decreased frequency of disease flares,
potential steroid- sparing activity, and was generally well tolerated
through three years on treatment in combination with standard of care in
patients with serologically active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The
results are the subject of a number of oral and poster presentations today
in Paris at the 2008 Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism
(EULAR).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080416/HGSLOGO )
"Based on the results presented at EULAR 2008, the clinical benefit
observed for belimumab at Week 52 of this Phase 2 study appears to be
durable through three years," said Richard Furie, M.D., Chief, Division of
Rheumatology and Allergy-Clinical Immunology, North Shore Long Island
Jewish Health System, Lake Success, NY, and Associate Professor of
Medicine, New York University School of Medicine. "We observe that patients
who crossed over from placebo to belimumab after Week 52 have also shown
improvement across multiple clinical measures. The durability of clinical
effect and the favorable safety profile observed for belimumab suggest that
it has the potential to play an important role in the treatment of SLE."
SLE is a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune disease. It is estimated
that approximately 1.5 million people in the United States and
approximately 5 million worldwide suffer from various forms of lupus,
including SLE.
"At Week 52 in belimumab patients with serologically active SLE, we saw
significant reductions in SLE disease activity versus placebo based on
multiple measures of clinical effect, including the response rate chosen as
the primary efficacy endpoint of the Phase 3 trials," said William W.
Freimuth, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Clinical Research - Immunology,
Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases. "We are encouraged by the continued
improvement in these patients through three years. Belimumab could
represent a significant advance in the treatment of SLE if Phase 2 results
are confirmed in the Phase 3 trials that are currently ongoing."
LymphoStat-B (belimumab) is being developed by HGS and GlaxoSmithKline
(GSK) under a co-development and commercialization agreement entered into
in August 2006. The first Phase 3 data for LymphoStat-B are expected by
mid- 2009, and all Phase 3 data to support regulatory filings are expected
in fall 2009.
Key Findings from the Phase 2 Study Continuation Through Three Years
The data presented today at EULAR 2008 demonstrate that continued
treatment with belimumab is associated with sustained improvement or
stabilization of SLE disease activity in serologically active patients
through three years of treatment. Belimumab decreased the frequency of SLE
disease flares and reduced the need for high-dose steroids in these
patients over time. The overall incidence of adverse events (in general and
by system organ class), serious adverse events, infections, malignancies
and laboratory abnormalities continued to decrease or stabilize from Week
52 to Week 160.
The evidence of sustained clinical effect in belimumab-treated patients
from Week 52 to Week 160 includes:
-- An increase from 46% to 52% among serologically active patients based
on the combined response rate selected as the primary efficacy endpoint
of the Phase 3 trials (intention-to-treat analysis).
-- A decrease over time in the overall frequency of SLE disease flares,
and in the frequency of severe disease flares, in patients who remained
on belimumab through three years, as measured by the SELENA SLEDAI
flare index.
-- A greater proportion of patients in the belimumab group reduced their
prednisone dose from baseline compared with the placebo group in the
double-blind phase of the study, and this number continued to increase
through three years.
-- Reversion of autoantibody levels from positive to negative
(anti-dsDNA, anti-RNP, anti-Smith).
-- Stable reductions in immunoglobulins, with no increase in infections or
infectious events over time.
-- An increase in C3 and C4 complement among patients with low complement
at baseline.
About the Phase 2 Study of LymphoStat-B in SLE
The primary objectives of the Phase 2 study were to evaluate the
efficacy and safety of belimumab (LymphoStat-B) plus standard of care,
versus placebo plus standard of care. A total of 449 patients with active
SLE were randomized to receive one of three different doses of belimumab or
placebo (1, 4 or 10 mg/kg) administered intravenously over a 52-week
treatment period, in addition to standard-of-care therapy. At the end of 52
weeks, 345 patients chose to participate in an optional 24-week extension
phase of the study, during which all patients received belimumab. At Week
76, 296 patients chose to remain on belimumab treatment in an open-label
long-term continuation phase of the Phase 2 trial, in which all patients
are receiving 10 mg/kg belimumab. As of May 21, 2008, 235 patients remained
on belimumab treatment in the continuation study.
In June 2006, HGS reported the 52-week results of the Phase 2 trial,
which demonstrated that belimumab significantly reduced disease activity
versus placebo in patients with serologically active SLE across multiple
clinical measures, exhibited clinically relevant biological activity, and
appeared generally safe and well tolerated. Frequency and severity of
adverse events were similar to placebo. Among the findings at Week 52 was a
significantly improved response rate among serologically active patients,
as defined by an improvement in SELENA SLEDAI score of 4 points or greater,
no new BILAG A flare and no more than one new BILAG B flare, and no
worsening in Physician's Global Assessment. This combination of measures is
the primary efficacy endpoint in the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 clinical
trials.
About LymphoStat-B (belimumab)
LymphoStat-B (belimumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that
specifically recognizes and inhibits the biological activity of
B-lymphocyte stimulator, or BLyS(R). BLyS is a naturally occurring protein
discovered by HGS that is required for the development of B-lymphocyte
cells into mature plasma B cells. Plasma B cells produce antibodies, the
body's first line of defense against infection.
In lupus and certain other autoimmune diseases, elevated levels of BLyS
are believed to contribute to the production of autoantibodies - antibodies
that attack and destroy the body's own healthy tissues. The presence of
autoantibodies appears to correlate with disease severity. Pre-clinical and
clinical studies demonstrate that B-cell antagonists can reduce
autoantibody levels and help control autoimmune disease activity.
About Human Genome Sciences
The mission of HGS is to apply great science and great medicine to
bring innovative drugs to patients with unmet medical needs.
The HGS clinical development pipeline includes novel drugs to treat
hepatitis C, lupus, inhalation anthrax, cancer and other immune-mediated
diseases. The Company's primary focus is rapid progress toward the
commercialization of its two key lead drugs, Albuferon(R) (albinterferon
alfa- 2b) for hepatitis C and LymphoStat-B(R) (belimumab) for lupus. Phase
3 clinical trials of both drugs are ongoing.
ABthrax(TM) (raxibacumab) is in late-stage development for the
treatment of inhalation anthrax, and the Company is on track to begin the
delivery in fall 2008 of 20,000 doses of ABthrax to the Strategic National
Stockpile under a contract entered into with the U.S. Government in June
2006. Other HGS drugs in clinical development include two TRAIL receptor
antibodies and a small-molecule antagonist of IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis)
proteins for the treatment of cancer. In addition, HGS has substantial
financial rights to three products in the GlaxoSmithKline clinical
development pipeline.
To view the EULAR oral presentation reporting results of the Phase 2
long- term continuation study of LymphoStat-B through three years, click
here. To view the EULAR poster presentation reporting the safety profile of
LymphoStat- B through three years, click here. To view the EULAR poster
presentation reporting the progressive normalization of autoantibody,
immunoglobulin and complement levels over three years of treatment with
LymphoStat-B, click here. To view the EULAR poster presentation reporting
evidence of LymphoStat-B's potential steroid-sparing activity, click here.
For more information on LymphoStat-B, visit http://www.hgsi.com/belimumab.html.
For more information on lupus, visit the Lupus Foundation of America at
http://www.lupus.org or the European Lupus Erythematosus Federation at
http://www.elef.rheumanet.org . For more information about HGS, visit
http://www.hgsi.com. Health professionals or patients interested in clinical
trials of HGS products may inquire via email to clinical_trials@hgsi.com,
or by calling (301) 610-5790, extension 3550.
HGS, Human Genome Sciences, ABthrax, Albuferon, BLyS and LymphoStat-B
are trademarks of Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
forward-looking statements are based on Human Genome Sciences' current
intent, belief and expectations. These statements are not guarantees of
future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that
are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from these
forward-looking statements because of the Company's unproven business
model, its dependence on new technologies, the uncertainty and timing of
clinical trials, the Company's ability to develop and commercialize
products, its dependence on collaborators for services and revenue, its
substantial indebtedness and lease obligations, its changing requirements
and costs associated with facilities, intense competition, the uncertainty
of patent and intellectual property protection, the Company's dependence on
key management and key suppliers, the uncertainty of regulation of
products, the impact of future alliances or transactions and other risks
described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. In addition, the Company will continue to face risks related to
animal and human testing, to the manufacture of ABthrax and to FDA
concurrence that ABthrax meets the requirements of the ABthrax contract. If
the Company is unable to meet the product requirements associated with the
ABthrax contract, the U.S. government will not be required to reimburse the
Company for the costs incurred or to purchase any ABthrax doses, and we
will not receive any of the expected revenues relative to ABthrax. Existing
and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of today's date.
Human Genome Sciences undertakes no obligation to update or revise the
information contained in this announcement whether as a result of new
information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
SOURCE Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.hgsi.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080416/HGSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/121115.html /
CONTACT:
Jerry Parrott, Vice President, Corporate
Communications, +1-301-315-2777, or Kate de Santis, Director,
Investor Relations, +1-301-251-6003, both of Human Genome
Sciences, Inc.
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