Amgen’s Sjogren’s drug cuts disease activity in trial

Nov 11 (Reuters) – Amgen said on Wednesday a detailed late-stage trial data showed its experimental drug for the Sjogren’s disease significantly reduced disease activity in patients.

• This builds on the initial results reported by the company in September for the drug, dazodalibep

• The Sjogren’s disease is an autoimmune condition that attacks the body’s moisture-producing glands, causing dry eyes and mouth, fatigue and pain

• Patients on 1,500 mg of dazodalibep every four weeks lowered their disease activity score by 5.6 points over 48 weeks, versus 3.8 points for placebo — a gap of 1.8 points

• Those on 3,000 mg dose every 12 weeks saw a 5.2-point drop, a 1.4-point gap versus placebo

• Both doses met the trial’s main goal, and the effect appeared as early as week four, Amgen said

• The trial enrolled 648 patients with moderate-to-severe systemic disease activity

• According to the Sjogren’s Foundation, the condition affects up to 4 million Americans and about 90% of diagnosed adults are women

• Novartis and Johnson & Johnson are also developing drugs to treat the Sjogren’s disease, which has no approved treatments in the US

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)