"These data highlight the relevance of autoantibodies in SjD pathogenesis. The observed reduction in IgG and pivotal autoantibodies, particularly the anti-Ro antibodies, in association with improvement in systemic disease activity and saliva production, represent an exciting advance in our understanding of the disease and how it may be treated effectively. I am also encouraged by the observed trend in many patient-reported measures as they are most important to patients. I look forward to future research to confirm these observations," said Ghaith Noaiseh, M.D., Associate Professor, Allergy, Clinical Immunology, and Rheumatology, The University of Kansas Medical Center.b "People living with SjD need targeted treatment options that can help address the underlying causes and alleviate the potentially serious health consequences of the disease."
Many people living with SjD experience symptoms that interfere with daily activities and quality of life, including chronic and severe mucosal dryness. Extraglandular manifestations - more systemic symptoms of SjD - are also common and may impact multiple organ systems, including joints, lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. These patients with high activity in more than one organ or disease area have an increased mortality risk of up to five-fold.
In the Phase 2 study, patients reported a decrease in symptoms, with numerical improvements compared with placebo in the symptom categories most important to them, including mouth dryness, eye dryness, vaginal dryness, fatigue and joint pain. Additionally, an improvement in objective salivary flow (i.e., at least 50% increase from baseline) was observed in more than twice as many patients in the high dose nipocalimab group (15 mg/kg) compared to the placebo group (32.7% vs. 16%) at Week 24.
"No advanced therapies have been approved for SjD to date. A clear need exists for new immunoselective treatments with demonstrated safety profiles that can provide sustained relief from the heavy burden of the overall disease for patients living with SjD," said Federico Zazzetti, Director, Rheumatology, Global Medical Affairs Lead, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "Johnson & Johnson is committed to continued research to help address this unmet need, and the data presented at ACR demonstrate the potential of nipocalimab in a disease where patients have very few options."
Sjögren's disease (SjD) is one of the most prevalent autoantibody-driven diseases for which no therapies are currently approved that treat the underlying and systemic nature of the disease. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that is estimated to impact approximately four million people worldwide and is nine times more common in women than men. SjD is characterized by autoantibody production, chronic inflammation, and lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands. Most patients are affected by mucosal dryness (eyes, mouth, vagina), joint pain and fatigue. More than 50% of SjD patients have a moderate to severe form of the condition, and disease burden can be as high as that of rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus and is often associated with impaired quality of life and functional capacity, and increased mortality risk.
ABOUT DAHLIAS
DAHLIAS (NCT04969812) is a Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study to evaluate the effects of nipocalimab in participants with primary SjD. DAHLIAS is a Phase 2 dose-ranging study of adults with moderately-to-severely active primary SjD who were seropositive for anti-Ro60 and/or anti-Ro52 IgG antibodies. 163 adults aged 18-75 were randomized 1:1:1 to receive intravenous nipocalimab at 5 or 15 mg/kg or placebo every two weeks through Week 22 and received protocol-permitted background standard of care. Safety assessments were conducted through Week 30. The primary endpoint was change in baseline in the ClinESSDAI Score at Week 24. Select secondary endpoints included:
ABOUT NIPOCALIMAB
Nipocalimab is an investigational monoclonal antibody, designed to bind with high affinity to block FcRn and reduce levels of circulating immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies potentially without impact on other immune functions. This includes autoantibodies and alloantibodies that underlie multiple conditions across three key segments in the autoantibody space including Rare Autoantibody diseases, Maternal Fetal diseases mediated by maternal alloantibodies and Prevalent Rheumatology. Blockade of IgG binding to FcRn in the placenta is also believed to limit transplacental transfer of maternal alloantibodies to the fetus.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have granted several key designations to nipocalimab including:
ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.
Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Janssen Global Services, LLC are Johnson & Johnson companies.
Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of nipocalimab. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., Janssen Global Services, LLC and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., Janssen Global Services, LLC nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
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