Veltuzumab

Artiva Biotherapeutics on Wednesday touted strong safety and B-cell depletion results achieved by its allogeneic NK cell therapy, AlloNK, in a variety of autoimmune diseases, prompting the biotech to plot a pivotal study in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)."Based on what we have seen and subject to our planned FDA interactions in the first half of 2026, we believe we have a path to be first among deep B-cell depleting modalities to begin a pivotal trial in RA, which is the largest refractory autoimmune population," CEO Fred Aslan told FirstWord. Last year, early data from an academic team suggested that a CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy could eliminate B-cells and "reset" the immune system, leading to over two years of remission for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The findings prompted a wave of biotechs to expand their cell therapy programmes from oncology and into the autoimmune space. Following the initial hype, however, some cell therapy converts have tempered their expectations and trimmed their workforce, including Caribou Biosciences, Nkarta Therapeutics and Kyverna Therapeutics."As companies began sharing broader, real-world experience that reflects patient heterogeneity, the data have naturally varied," Aslan said. "For autologous CAR-T, there are also practical and commercial considerations, including scalability and inpatient care logistics."Though there is momentum for CAR-Ts in autoimmune diseases, the only approved treatments today are autologous cell therapies for cancer that require a lengthy and expensive manufacturing process to produce a single dose, posing major concerns about the feasibility of translating such treatments into the autoimmune space. That's one reason Artiva is pursuing an off-the-shelf approach. AlloNK is non-genetically engineered, cryopreserved, and designed for large-batch manufacturing.The biotech has also taken care to design a treatment regimen that community rheumatology sites can run, with no oncology involvement, including site-administered lymphodepletion and outpatient dosing — "to match how patients actually receive care," Aslan said. Key findingsAlloNK plus an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) — either rituximab or obinutuzumab — is being tested in a Phase II basket trial involving patients with RA, Sjögren's disease, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and systemic sclerosis, as well as a Phase I study of patients with SLE or lupus nephritis. A rheumatology clinic in Florida is also evaluating the combination in a Phase I trial of B-cell-associated autoimmune diseases. Prior to the cell therapy, participants receive a standard conditioning regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine."In many ways, treating with AlloNK and an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody is as close as you get to treating autoimmune disease with an IV biologic in a community setting," Aslan said. The combination, he added, could open deep B-cell depletion to far more autoimmune patients than CAR-Ts could reach. At the Oct. 1 data cut-off, 32 patients had received either a 1-billion or 4-billion cell dose of AlloNK, and 23 had analysed samples. Of the latter group, two different tests — including a high-sensitivity assay — showed that no patients had quantifiable peripheral CD19-positive B-cells by day 13 of treatment."Every evaluable patient achieved deep B-cell depletion," Aslan said. "We view deep depletion as necessary to reproduce the immune-reset effects seen by autologous programmes."AlloNK also avoided another shortcoming of CAR-Ts — their acute toxicities. The cell therapy-plus-mAb regimen was also well tolerated, with no Grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events (AEs) or serious AEs, no trial discontinuations, and crucially, no cases of cytokine release syndrome, ICANS, graft-versus-host disease or hypogammaglobulinaemia. Most treatment-related AEs were Grade 1 or 2, transient and consistent with the conditioning regimen. Artiva plans to share initial clinical response data in the first half of 2026 from more than 15 refractory patients with RA who received AlloNK.

Phase III ALLEGORY study met primary and all key secondary endpoints with Gazyva/Gazyvaro, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody designed for enhanced B cell depletionGazyva/Gazyvaro has the potential to be a transformative new standard of care for up to 3.4 million people affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) worldwideIf approved, Gazyva/Gazyvaro would be the first anti-CD20 therapy for SLE to directly target B cells, a key driver of inflammation and disease activity1These positive results follow the recent US FDA approval and positive EU CHMP opinion for Gazyva/Gazyvaro in lupus nephritis, alongside positive phase III data from the INShore study in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome Basel, 3 November 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today statistically significant and clinically meaningful results from the phase III ALLEGORY study of Gazyva®/Gazyvaro® (obinutuzumab) in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on standard therapy. The study met its primary endpoint showing a higher percentage of people achieved a minimum four-point improvement in SLE Responder Index 4 (SRI-4) at one year (52 weeks) with Gazyva/Gazyvaro versus standard therapy.2 SRI is a tool that assesses changes in disease severity, symptoms and physical condition to indicate whether treatment is effective at controlling disease activity. All key secondary endpoints were also met. No new safety signals were identified, and safety was in line with the well-characterised profile of Gazyva/Gazyvaro. “Systemic lupus erythematosus is a lifelong condition that can cause irreversible damage to the major organs in the body, leading to life-threatening complications. These pivotal results are unprecedented in demonstrating that by effectively controlling disease activity, Gazyva/Gazyvaro may delay or prevent further organ damage in people with SLE,” said Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. “We look forward to sharing the data with global health authorities, with the goal of making this potentially transformative new standard of care available as quickly as possible.” All key secondary endpoints were met, with results showing statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefits with Gazyva/Gazyvaro versus standard therapy including British Isles Lupus Assessment Group based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) response at week 52, sustained corticosteroid control from week 40 to 52, sustained SRI-4 from week 40 to 52, a six-point improvement in SLE disease activity score (SRI-6) at 52 weeks, and time to first flare over 52 weeks as defined by the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index.1 SLE affects over three million people worldwide, mostly women diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45, with women of colour disproportionately impacted.3-5 Frequent flares of disease activity inflame and damage multiple organs. Around half of the patients will progress to lupus nephritis, a potentially life-threatening kidney complication, within five years of diagnosis.6-8 Achieving better disease control can reduce flares, limit further damage to the organs and lower the risk of developing lupus nephritis.9,10 Data will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and shared with health authorities as soon as possible, including the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. If approved, Gazyva/Gazyvaro would be the first anti-CD20 therapy for SLE to directly target B cells, an underlying cause of disease.2 ALLEGORY is the third positive phase III study for Gazyva/Gazyvaro in immune-mediated diseases, in addition to REGENCY in lupus nephritis and INShore in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. This growing evidence suggests that Gazyva/Gazyvaro, designed to attack and destroy targeted B cells, both directly and together with the body's immune system, may help address disease activity across a spectrum of autoimmune or immune-related diseases. In addition to SLE, Gazyva/Gazyvaro is being investigated in children and adolescents with lupus nephritis, as well as adults with membranous nephropathy, as part of our ambition to be leaders in immune-mediated rheumatology and nephrology diseases. About Gazyva/Gazyvaro Gazyva®/Gazyvaro® (obinutuzumab) is a humanised monoclonal antibody designed with a Type II anti-CD20 region, for direct B cell death and a glycoengineered Fc region, for higher binding affinity and increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).11 CD20 is a protein found on certain types of B cells. Gazyva/Gazyvaro is approved for adults with lupus nephritis in the US who are receiving standard therapy. In October 2025, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recommended approval in the European Union, with a final decision expected from the European Commission in the near future. Gazyva/Gazyvaro is also approved in 100 countries for various types of haematological cancers. About the ALLEGORY study ALLEGORY [NCT04963296] is a phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study, investigating the efficacy and safety of Gazyva®/Gazyvaro® (obinutuzumab) compared with standard therapy in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on standard therapy. The study enrolled approximately 300 people, who were randomised 1:1 to receive Gazyva/Gazyvaro or placebo for up to one year (52 weeks), followed by an open-label period with Gazyva/Gazyvaro for up to 104 weeks. The primary endpoint is the percentage of people who achieve SLE Responder Index four at week 52. About systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease that affects more than three million people worldwide, and rising.3,12 Due to the non-specific symptoms, it can take two to six years for an accurate diagnosis. During this time, disease severity and organ damage, due to repeated flares of disease activity, typically worsens and quality of life declines.9,13,14 Around half of people with SLE will develop lupus nephritis within five years of a lupus diagnosis.7,8 In lupus nephritis, the disease activity primarily affects the kidneys and there is a risk of end-stage kidney disease, where dialysis and transplant are the only treatment options. There is a need for additional targeted therapies that can effectively control disease activity and potentially delay or prevent the onset of lupus nephritis.15,16 About Roche Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice. For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche’s business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com. All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. References [1] Yap DYH, Chan TM. B Cell Abnormalities in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis-Role in Pathogenesis and Effect of Immunosuppressive Treatments. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Dec 10;20(24):6231. [2] Clinicaltrials.gov. A study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of obinutuzumab in participants with systemic lupus erythematosus (ALLEGORY). [Internet; cited 2025 October 30]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04963296. [3] Tian J, et al. Global epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus: a comprehensive systematic analysis and modelling study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2023 Mar;82(3):351-56. [4] Bindroo MA, et al. Late Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Clinical and Autoantibody Profile and its Comparison with Young Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2023 Jul 29;34(4):454–59 [5] Barber MRW, et al. The global epidemiology of SLE: narrowing the knowledge gaps. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 Mar 29;62(Suppl 1):i4-9 [6] Mahajan A, et al. Systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis and end-stage renal disease: a pragmatic review mapping disease severity and progression. Lupus. 2020 Sep;29(9):1011-20. [7] Bechler KK, et al. Predicting patients who are likely to develop Lupus Nephritis of those newly diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2023 Apr 29:2022:221-30. [8] Anders HJ et al. Lupus nephritis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020 Jan 23;6(1):7. [9] Kandane-Rathnayake R, et al. Association of Lupus Low Disease Activity State And Remission With Reduced Organ Damage And Flare in Systemic lupus erythematosus Patients With High Disease Activity. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2025 May 1;64(5):2741-48. [10] Adamichou C, et al. Flares in systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis, risk factors and preventive strategies. Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2017 Mar 28;28(1):4-12. [11] Herter S, et al. Preclinical activity of the type II CD20 antibody GA101 (obinutuzumab) compared with rituximab and ofatumumab in vitro and in xenograft models. Mol Cancer Ther. 2013 Oct;12(10):2031-42. [12] Rees F, et al. The worldwide incidence and prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review of epidemiological studies. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2017 Nov 1;56(11):1945-61. [13] Nightingale AL, et al. Presentation of SLE in UK primary care using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Lupus Sci Med. 2017 Feb 10;4(1):e000172. [14] Murimi-Worstell IB, et al. Association between organ damage and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2020 May 21;10(5):e031850. [15] Hocaoglu M et al. Incidence, prevalence, and mortality of lupus nephritis: a population-based study over four decades using the Lupus Midwest Network. Arthritis & Rheumatol 2023 Apr;75(4):567-73.[16] Mok C, et al. Treatment of lupus nephritis: consensus evidence and perspectives. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2023 Apr;19(4):227-38. 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