Novartis finds pair of applications for anti-BAFF-R mechanism with Phase III wins

Two Phase III readouts from Novartis’ ianalumab marked successes in underserved B-cell-driven autoimmune indications. The results raise the prospect of the mAb becoming the first disease-modifying therapy for Sjogren’s disease, and reducing treatment burden for patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia.

Novartis AG (SIX:NOVN; NYSE:NVS) reported on Monday that its anti-BAFF-R mAb ianalumab met the primary endpoint by reducing disease activity versus placebo in the Phase III NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2 trials. ...