Investigating Clinical Efficacy of Ofatumumab in Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Patients Who Had an Inadequate Response to MTX Therapy

A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Parallel Group, Multi-center, Phase III Trial of Ofatumumab Investigating Clinical Efficacy in Adult Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Have Had an Inadequate Response to Methotrexate Therapy

This is a phase III, double-blind, randomized, multicenter, and parallel group trial with a duration of 24 weeks, followed by a 120 week Open-label Period. the primary purpose of the study is to demonstrate the efficacy of ofatumumab in reducing clinical signs and symptoms in adult RA patients after a single course of ofatumumab.

This study consists of a Double-blind , placebo controlled, and parallel group part with eligible patients enrolled into a 24 week Double-Blind Period, and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive ofatumumab (700mg x 2 infusions) or placebo ( saline x 2 infusions) in addition to their background methotrexate treatment. Patients who completed the 24 week Double-Blind period without receiving rescue DMARD treatment will be eligible to proceed into the 120 week Open-Label Period to receive repeat treatment courses with ofatumumab. In the Open-label Period ofatumumab treatment courses will be given at individualized time intervals only if a clinical response has been achieved following the previous treatment course, and followed by a subsequent worsening in disease activity . Patients who have completed the Open-Label Period or have withdrawn will enter a maximum 2 year Follow-up Period, or until their Bcells return to normal or to baseline levels, whichever occurs earlier.

Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years;

• Active disease at the time of screening as defined by:

  ≥ 8 swollen joints (of 66 joints assessed) and ≥ 8 tender joints (of 68 joints assessed), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) ≥ 1.0 mg/dL or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) ≥ 22 mm/hour, DAS28≥3.2 (based on ESR);

• Inadequate response to previous or current methotrexate treatment;

• Treatment with methotrexate (MTX), 7.5-25 mg/week, for at least 12 weeks and at a stable dose for at least 4 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with a history of a rheumatic autoimmune disease other than RA or with significant systemic involvement secondary to RA;
• Previous exposure to biologic anti-rheumatic therapies, including investigational compounds;
• Previous exposure to biologic DMARDs; Chronic or ongoing active infectious disease requiring systemic treatment;
• Clinically significant cardiac disease; History of significant cerebrovascular disease;
• Significant concurrent, uncontrolled medical condition including, but not limited to, renal, hepatic, hematological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, pulmonary, neurological, cerebral psychiatric disease, or evidence of demyelinating disease;
• Known HIV positive; Serologic evidence of Hepatitis B infection; Positive test for Hepatitis C; Positive plasma / white cell JC Virus PCR;
• Serum IgG < lower limit of normal;
• Breast feeding women or women with a positive pregnancy test at screening;
• Current participation in any other interventional clinical study;
• Patients known or suspected of not being able to comply with a study protocol.