Amgen's Sjögren's drug succeeds in Phase 3; Novartis invests $900M in radioligand therapy
Amgen reported that dazodalibep, a CD40 ligand antagonist, met its primary endpoint in a Phase 3 trial for Sjögren's syndrome, a win from its Horizon acquisition. Separately, Novartis struck a $900 million deal for a radioligand therapy, and other companies including Boehringer, Envisagenics, and Ionis also had updates.
Amgen's experimental therapy dazodalibep, which blocks CD40 ligand signaling, cleared a key efficacy hurdle in late-stage testing for Sjögren's syndrome, validating a program obtained through its Horizon Therapeutics acquisition. The positive readout strengthens Amgen's position in autoimmune disease treatment and marks a significant milestone for a condition with limited approved options.
Separately, Novartis committed $900 million to advance a radioligand therapy partnership, underscoring continued industry interest in targeted radiopharmaceuticals. Additional pipeline activity from Boehringer, Envisagenics, and Ionis reflects a broad week of clinical and deal-making momentum across the drug development landscape.
Patients with Sjögren's syndrome, who currently face few targeted therapies, could gain a meaningful new treatment option if dazodalibep continues to succeed through regulatory review. The Novartis investment may accelerate radiopharmaceutical innovation, potentially benefiting cancer patients with hard-to-treat tumors. However, affordability and access remain open questions, as advanced therapies often carry high costs that could strain healthcare systems and patient budgets.