Biogen's Rituxan fails in lupus trial

Biotechnology companies Biogen Idec Inc., based in Cambridge, and Genentech Inc. said today their drug Rituxan failed a late-stage study involving lupus patients.

The drug, which is already approved to treat non-Hodgkins lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis, failed to prompt a response in patients when compared with placebo in the 52-week study.

The drug also failed to meet any of its six secondary goals.

"We understood from the outset the significant challenges in developing treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus," said Dr. Hal Barron, Genentech's senior vice president of development and chief medical officer, in a statement.

The company has another ongoing late-stage study on lupus nephritis patients and said that will continue. Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney caused by lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease. Results from that study are expected in the first quarter of 2009.

Shares of Biogen Idec fell $2.75, or 4.3 percent, to $61.92 in morning trading Tuesday.

Shares of Genentech, based in South San Francisco, fell $3.25, or 4.4 percent, to $69.91.
(AP)