Promising lupus data fuels fresh rise in HGS shares

Human Genome Sciences (HGSI) took the wraps off a full set of late-stage data on its lupus drug Benlysta this morning, and investors were impressed by fresh evidence of the drug's statistical significance. HGS has one of the hottest stocks in biotechnology--up 500 percent since July--and saw its fattened stock price swell another five percent on the headline results.

HGS researchers say that patients taking Benlysta in a Phase III trial--the first of two--reduced the risk of flare ups by 24 percent and severe flares by 43 percent when compared to a placebo arm. Those patients also reported a significant reduction in fatigue. The numbers were unveiled at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. "These data were statistically significant and were strongly supported across multiple measures of clinical effect and multiple time-points," said David Stump, Human Genome's executive vice president.

"You can see the whole curve, and those benefits emerged at 16 weeks into treatment," Barry Labinger, HGS's chief commercial officer, told Bloomberg. "Getting a benefit over placebo so soon is impressive."

HGS has enjoyed a string of upbeat reports in recent months. Now the analysts and the market will shift focus to the first set of data from the developer's second late-stage Benlysta trial, which is due out in a matter of weeks. More positive data could well reawaken rumors of a potential buyout, though HGS has publicly insisted that its primary focus is on launching the drug under a co-promotion deal it has with GlaxoSmithKline. If approved, Benlysta would be the first new therapy for lupus in 50 years.

- here's the Reuters report
- check out Bloomberg's story

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