Lupus pipeline sees high level of 43% first-in-class innovation

GlobalData indicates translation of this high-level innovation to numerous promising first-in-class targets with strong therapeutic potential

The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pipeline is characterized by a high level of first-in-class innovation when compared to other therapy areas and the industry as a whole, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. 

GlobalData’s recent report, ‘Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Programs Targeting Cytokine and Growth Factor Signaling Dominate First-in-Class Pipeline’, reveals that the high level of first-in-class innovation translates to numerous promising first-in-class targets with strong therapeutic potential. Of the total products in the SLE pipeline, 43% are first-in-class, indicating a high level of innovation.

There are currently 146 products in active development for SLE. Around half of the pipeline is in early stage development, with 74 products in the discovery and preclinical stages. There are 50 first-in-class programs in the pipeline, acting on 48 first-in-class molecular targets.

Mark Needham, a Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, says: "We have assessed all first-in-class molecular targets in the SLE pipeline and ranked them based on the commercial potential. We found non-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase, also known as tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) to have the highest potential. TYK2 is a key component of the IFN-1 signalling pathway, which is increasingly recognized as a central pathogenic mediator in SLE. Other first-in-class targets with strong therapeutic potential include those targeting the complement system and adaptive signalling."

Needham adds: "Programs targeting cell surface antigens are prominent, comprising 12% of the pipeline. The remainder is made up of smaller target families, such as complement/adaptive immunity, neurotransmitters and receptors, and hormones and receptors."