Teva Pharmaceutical Drug Fails Study

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' Lupus Drug Candidate Fails to Meet Goal in Midstage Study

September 19, 2007: 01:56 PM EST

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Drug developer Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said its lupus drug candidate edratide failed to meet its goal in a midstage clinical trial.

The Phase II clinical trial involved 340 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from 12 countries. The goal of the study was a reduction of lupus disease activity over a 26-week treatment period. The drug was given in weekly injections.

Symptoms for systemic lupus erythematosus include fatigue, low-grade fever, muscle aches, arthritis, ulcers of the mouth and nose and facial rash.

Teva said the drug was shown to be safe and well tolerated in the study. The company said future plans for the drug candidate has not been determined.

Shares of Israel-based Teva rose 30 cents to $44.25 in afternoon trading