First Person Receives Dose of Drug Therapy Litifilimab (BIIB059) for Treatment of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

Biogen Inc. announced that the first person has been given the investigational drug litifilimab (also known as BIIB059), for the treatment of lupus skin disease (cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE)). Litifilimab is an anti-inflammatory medication (a drug used to fight inflammation). In the phase 2/3 AMETHYST trial, researchers aim to assess treatment effects on levels of skin disease activity.

Investigators are actively recruiting racially diverse study participants with active disease who are not responding to standard antimalarial treatment. In this two-part study, participants are given litifilimab or a placebo every four weeks for 20 weeks. In the second part of the study, those on placebo will begin to receive litifilimab for the remainder of the trial, which is expected to be 52 weeks and those who were receiving the drug will continue to do so. The study anticipates enrolling more than 470 people across 238 sites across the globe.

Current treatment options for lupus skin disease are limited and the addition of a possible new therapy would be important. Continue to follow the Lupus Foundation of America for updates on litifilimab and learn more about medications used to treat lupus.

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