Feinstein, NIH launch groundbreaking clinical trial for new lupus medication

Researchers at Northwell Health's Feinstein Institute for Medical Research are leading a nationwide National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) sponsored clinical trial testing the efficacy of a synthetic cannabinoid derivative with no psychotropic properties for the treatment of joint inflammation in lupus. If proven effective, the drug, called JBT-101 (lenabasum), could provide lupus patients with an alternative to current prescription immunosuppressant therapies, which are expensive and often have numerous side effects.

"It has been shown in pre-clinical studies that JBT-101suppresses inflammatory proteins, decreases immune cell migration and promotes molecules that support the resolution of inflammation without suppressing the immune system," said Dr. Meggan Mackay, MD, MS, lead investigator and professor at the Feinstein Institute. "We are extremely excited to have the support of the NIH and Corbus Pharmaceuticals to test this investigational drug candidate in lupus as it has proven to be successful in smaller studies of other disorders where inflammation is a symptom. Given the significant side effects of current treatments for lupus, this drug may have enormous potential for patients who do not want to take immunosuppressants, or who haven't experienced relief from current therapies."

Dr. Mackay's lab will be the lead site for this 15-site, two-year study which plans to recruit 100 patients in total.

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