• Merck KGaA has decided to progress its experimental lupus treatment to Phase III clinical trials despite reporting mixed efficacy data from earlier studies.
• The advancement comes amid significant developments in the lupus treatment landscape, including UCB and Biogen's successful Phase III results for dapirolizumab pegol announced in September 2024.
• The lupus therapeutic area has seen recent setbacks as well, with Kezar Life Sciences discontinuing its lupus nephritis program in October 2024 following four patient deaths in their Phase IIb PALIZADE study.