India, Nov. 10 -- Novartis AG (NVS,NOVN.SW) on Tuesday reported encouraging two-year results from its ongoing Phase 3 NEPTUNUS extension study of investigational drug ianalumab, showing further improvements in Sjogren's disease activity through Week 108.
Among patients who continued receiving ianalumab 300 mg monthly, the mean reduction in systemic disease activity, measured by the EULAR Sjogren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), increased to 7.5 points from the core-study baseline. The proportion achieving low disease activity rose from 57.1% at Week 48 to 65.1% at Week 108.
Patients who switched from placebo to monthly ianalumab at Week 60 also showed improvements. Their mean ESSDAI reduction reached 6.5 points at Week 108, whi...