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Kezar Life Sciences Announces Clinical Hold of Zetomipzomib IND for Treatment of Lupus Nephritis
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel small
About this update from Kezar Life Sciences, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":" SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nKezar Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel small molecule to treat unmet needs in immune-mediated diseases, today announced that it was informed via teleconference with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the zetomipzomib Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN) has been placed on clinical hold. This action follows Kezar’s communication to the FDA that Kezar was voluntarily suspending enrollment and dosing in its Phase 2b PALIZADE clinical trial of zetomipzomib in patients with active LN at the recommendation of the trial’s Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC). The IDMC’s recommendation followed their review of emerging safety data, including an assessment of four Grade 5 (fatal) serious adverse events (SAEs) that have occurred during the course of the trial in patients enrolled in the Philippines and Argentina. The FDA indicated that they will provide an official clinical hold letter to Kezar within 30 days.\n\n“We are steadfastly committed to patient safety and have directed our efforts to investigating these cases as we look to continue the zetomipzomib development program,” said Chris Kirk, PhD, Kezar’s Chief Executive Officer. “At this time, our zetomipzomib IND for the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis is unaffected. Our Phase 2a PORTOLA clinical trial of zetomipzomib in patients with autoimmune hepatitis remains active, and we have not observed any Grade 4 or 5 SAEs in the PORTOLA trial to date.”\n\nAbout Lupus Nephritis\n\nLN is one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). LN is a disease comprising a spectrum of vascular, glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions and develops in approximately 50% of SLE patients within 10 years of their initial diagnosis. LN is associated with considerable morbidity, including an increased risk of end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis or renal transplantation and an increased risk of death. There are limited approved therapies for the treatment of LN. Management typically consists of induction therapy to achieve remission and long-term maintenance therapy to prevent relapse.\n\nAbout Kezar Life Sciences\n\nKezar Life Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing n...