United Kingdom-based AstraZeneca has achieved its primary endpoint in the phase III Tulip two trial of new medicine anifrolumab for systemic lupus erythematosus, it is reported today.

The company says that the product has showcased a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful decrease in disease activity compared to placebo in the trial. Both arms received standard of care in the study.

The product is a fully human monoclonal antibody, which binds to subunit one of the type one interferon receptor, enabling the blocking of the activity of all type I interferons including IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IFN-omega. Type I interferons are cytokines chosen in the inflammatory pathways. British Isles Lupus Assessment Group based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) has been utilised for the measurement of reduction at week 52. Tulip 2 was the second phase III trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of anifrolumab as a treatment for adults with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus.