Equillium announces data from Phase 1b EQUALISE study presented at ASN

Equillium announced that data from the Type B portion of the EQUALISE study in lupus nephritis patients was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology or ASN. The data highlights that subjects had high complete and partial response rates with rapid and deep reduction in urine protein creatinine ratio or UPCR, when itolizumab was added to mycophenolate mofetil, MMF, and corticosteroids. “The presentation at ASN represents current data from the EQUALISE study, which includes all but the last patient in the follow up period,” said Bruce Steel, chief executive officer at Equillium. “We are encouraged that we continue to see clinically meaningful response rates, particularly in these highly proteinuric subjects. While the study is largely complete, we plan to deliver the full data package to Ono Pharmaceutical under the terms of our strategic partnership in early 2024.” …The Type B portion of the EQUALISE study in patients with active proliferative LN apLN is evaluating the safety, tolerability and clinical activity of subcutaneous delivery of itolizumab. Patients must present with greater than 1 gram of proteinuria and have a recent kidney biopsy showing ISN/RPS class III or IV apLN to be eligible for the study. During the 24-week treatment period, patients receive a subcutaneous dose of 1.6 mg/kg every two weeks, with follow up out to 36 weeks. Consistent with standard of care, patients on study also receive 2-3 g/day of mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid and patients may receive pulse systemic corticosteroids that are rapidly tapered.