Novartis Phase III Trials Show Ianalumab Significantly Improves Outcomes in Sjögren’s Disease

Novartis Phase III Trials Show Ianalumab Significantly Improves Outcomes in Sjögren’s Disease

(IN BRIEF) Novartis has reported landmark Phase III results showing that ianalumab significantly reduced disease activity in patients with Sjögren’s disease, meeting primary endpoints in both the NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2 trials. The treatment, which combines B-cell depletion and BAFF-R inhibition, was well tolerated and may become the first targeted therapy approved for this autoimmune disorder. Given the lack of current systemic treatments, these findings represent a major advance. Novartis intends to present full trial results at a future medical meeting and submit global regulatory applications, building on ianalumab’s Fast Track Designation from the FDA.

(PRESS RELEASE) BASEL, 11-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Novartis has announced that its Phase III NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2 clinical trials have achieved their primary goals, marking the first time global late-stage studies have shown a statistically significant reduction in disease activity for Sjögren’s disease. The investigational therapy, ianalumab (VAY736), demonstrated robust efficacy and a favorable safety profile, positioning it as a potential first-in-class targeted treatment for this chronic autoimmune disorder.

Sjögren’s disease, a progressive and often underdiagnosed systemic autoimmune condition, currently has no approved systemic therapies. It primarily attacks exocrine glands, causing dryness in the eyes and mouth, fatigue, widespread pain, and, in many cases, multi-organ involvement. Approximately 30–40% of patients develop extraglandular manifestations, and the disease significantly impacts quality of life while elevating the risk of lymphoma. Current treatment options are limited to symptomatic relief.

In both NEPTUNUS studies, ianalumab met the primary endpoint by delivering a statistically significant reduction in systemic disease activity as measured by the EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), compared with placebo. The drug was well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with earlier trials.

“Ianalumab’s success in these Phase III studies is a milestone in addressing a major unmet need for patients with Sjögren’s disease,” said Shreeram Aradhye, M.D., President of Development and Chief Medical Officer at Novartis. “These results provide compelling evidence for its potential as the first targeted therapy for this condition, and we are eager to engage with health authorities worldwide.”

Ianalumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody with a unique dual mechanism: B-cell depletion through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and inhibition of BAFF-R signaling, which disrupts pathways critical to B-cell survival and function. It is being investigated for multiple B cell–driven autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, immune thrombocytopenia, lupus nephritis, warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.

The NEPTUNUS-1 trial enrolled 275 patients and evaluated monthly subcutaneous doses of 300 mg over 52 weeks. NEPTUNUS-2 involved 504 patients and assessed both monthly and every-three-month dosing schedules over the same period. Both were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Patients completing these studies were given the option to continue follow-up or transition into a long-term extension trial.

Ianalumab has been granted Fast Track Designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Novartis plans to present detailed data at an upcoming medical congress and will submit regulatory applications globally.

About ianalumab
Ianalumab (VAY736) is a novel fully human monoclonal antibody being investigated for its potential to treat various B cell-driven autoimmune diseases, including Sjögren’s disease, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lupus nephritis (LN), warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc)3,7-13. Its mechanism of action targets B cells in two ways, namely combining B cell depletion via antibody-dependent cellular toxicity (ADCC) and interruption of BAFF- R mediated signals of B cell function and survival3. In clinical trials, ianalumab showed promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile in Sjögren’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and immune thrombocytopenia2,14,15. Ianalumab originates from an early collaboration with MorphoSys AG, a company which Novartis later acquired in 202416.

About NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2  
The phase III clinical trials, NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2, are global, multicenter, pivotal studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of ianalumab in patients with Sjögren’s disease7,8. These trials were designed to provide comprehensive data on ianalumab’s potential as a targeted treatment for Sjögren’s disease, in patients with active extraglandular disease.3,7,8.

NEPTUNUS-1 is a randomized, double-blind, 2-arm multicenter phase III trial (N=275) to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ianalumab 300 mg subcutaneous (s.c.) monthly compared with placebo for 52 weeks7. NEPTUNUS-2 is a randomized, double-blind, 3-arm multicenter phase III trial (N=504) to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ianalumab 300 mg s.c. monthly or every 3 months compared with placebo for up to 52 weeks8.

The primary endpoint was measured by improvements in systemic disease activity using ESSDAI (EULAR Sjögren’s syndrome disease activity index)7,8. Patients currently enrolled in NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2 have been given the opportunity to continue follow-up in these studies or enter a long-term extension trial17.

About Sjögren’s disease (previously called Sjögren’s syndrome) 
Sjögren’s disease is a systemic, chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and tissue damage, impacting the entire body4. It primarily affects exocrine glands, leading to excessive dryness, with over 90 percent of patients experiencing dry eyes and dry mouth4,18. The disease is heterogenous, patients experience dryness, fatigue and widespread pain and 30-40 percent of patients will also show extraglandular organ involvement5,19. Extraglandular manifestation can be very diverse and can affect skin, musculoskeletal system, kidneys, lungs and other organs19. The risk of lymphoma is increased in patients with Sjögren’s5.

Sjögren’s is one of the most prevalent rheumatic autoimmune diseases, affecting approximately 0.25 percent of the population with an estimated 50 percent undiagnosed 20-21. Sjögren’s is nine times more common in women than men4. B cell dysfunction plays a significant role in the disease by causing an autoimmune response that leads to inflammation and tissue damage3,4. There are no systemic treatments approved, with only limited symptomatic treatments available to provide temporary and partial symptomatic relief, highlighting the need for effective targeted therapies3.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “potential,” “can,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “investigational,” “pipeline,” “upcoming,” “intends,” or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for ianalumab, or regarding potential future revenues from ianalumab. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that ianalumab will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that ianalumab will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding ianalumab could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis
Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach nearly 300 million people worldwide.

Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram.

References

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SOURCE: Novartis