Aspreva Clinical Research

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Aspreva's work is focused on finding treatment options for patients with less common diseases. Through clinical research, we are able to build evidence-based knowledge that will, once approved, help physicians effectively treat patients living with these diseases.

Scientific and Operational Expertise

Aspreva's clinical research team has extensive large pharmaceutical company experience in the design and execution of clinical trials in various therapeutic categories. Through the extensive scientific and operational experience of our employees, we are able to work with experts to reach consensus on study designs in our relevant medical communities for specialized patient populations. Our research strictly adheres to clinical trial guidelines and ensures processes for high compliance and integrity of results.

Scaleable Structure and Specialist Networks

Our clinical development infrastructure is scaleable to new therapeutic areas. Through our extensive specialist networks, we are able to garner the internal and external expertise required by disease area. Further, our human and financial resources allow in-depth focus on our areas of therapeutic interest.

Aspreva's initial research focus is in the area of autoimmune diseases which occur when the immune system attacks the body's own cells not recognizing them as "self" but rather as "non-self".

There are more than 80 clinically distinct autoimmune diseases which affect more than 300 million people globally. Most of these conditions are highly debilitating and under-treated, creating significant social and financial burden.

Aspreva's current research is evaluating MMF, a transplant medication used to prevent organ rejection, for the treatment of two autoimmune diseases:

Lupus nephritis (LN) - is the most serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease that affects the functioning of multiple body systems. If left untreated, LN can lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis. Patients typically fluctuate between periods of intense disease activity when their immune system is actively attacking and causing damage in the kidney, interspersed with periods of remission. Clinicians estimate that one third to one half of lupus patients have LN. For more information about systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus nephritis, visit our links.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) - is one of a group of rare, severe autoimmune blistering skin diseases. Symptoms of this dermatological disease include painful and life-threatening blistering of the skin and mucous membranes which can cover much of the body. For more information visit www.pemphigus.org.

For information regarding the current clinical trials for each of these diseases, please visit our Clinical Trials page. Please note that MMF has not been approved by any regulatory body as being safe or effective in lupus nephritis or pemphigus vulgaris.