Teva to Launch A Drug for Treating Lupus

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is investigating whether its drug Laquinimod, which is in Phase III clinical trial for treating Multiple Sclerosis, is suitable for treating lupus.

Teva will soon begin recruiting patients for a Phase IIa clinical trial for Laquinimod for treating lupus nephritis, which affects the kidneys, and lupus arthritis, which affects joints. The trial is slated to begin in the summer.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the drug for fast track approval, and could be approved for marketing by 2012. The approval will only be for Multiple Sclerosis 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.