A Phase 2B Open-Label, Single-Arm, Repeat-Dose Study to Evaluate the Reliability of an Autoinjector

An Open-Label Single-Arm Study to Evaluate the Reliability of an Autoinjector That Administers Belimumab Subcutaneously in Subjects With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

The primary objective of this study is to assess the suitability of the autoinjector for self-administration of belimumab by subjects with SLE in real-life conditions. The study will assess the use of the autoinjector inside the clinic setting and outside the clinic setting. The study will also assess the safety and tolerability of belimumab administered subcutaneously (SC) via the autoinjector. Subjects will self-administer belimumab SC into the thigh or abdomen using the autoinjector device for 8 weekly doses. Subjects will return for a follow-up visit 4 weeks after the last SC dose of belimumab. All injections will be assessed by the investigators for success based on direct observation and/or the subject diary. A total of 118 subjects (treated with at least one dose of study drug) are planned to be enrolled in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female aged at least 18 years at the time of signing the informed consent.
• Have a clinical diagnosis of SLE according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria.
• Active, autoantibody positive SLE, defined as the presence of anti nuclear antibody (ANA) or anti-double strand deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) antibodies (at screening or historically).
• Are on a SLE treatment regimen including intravenous (IV) belimumab every 28 days for at least three 28-day cycles. Day 0 (i.e., day of first dose of study agent) should be scheduled about 2 weeks after the last dose IV dose of belimumab but may be scheduled 1 week and up to 4 weeks after the last IV dose.
• A female subject is eligible to participate if she is of: Non-childbearing potential defined as pre-menopausal females with a documented tubal ligation or hysterectomy (for this definition, "documented" refers to the outcome of the investigator's/designee's review of the subject's medical history for study eligibility, as obtained via a verbal interview with the subject or from the subject's medical records); or postmenopausal defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea (in questionable cases a blood sample with simultaneous follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] >40 milli international unit/milliliter [MIU/mL] and estradiol <40 picogram/mL [<147 picomoles/Liter] is confirmatory). (Females on hormone replacement therapy [HRT] and whose menopausal status is in doubt will be required to use one of the contraception methods if they wish to continue their HRT during the study. Otherwise, they must discontinue HRT to allow confirmation of post-menopausal status prior to study enrollment. For most forms of HRT, at least 2 4 weeks will elapse between the cessation of therapy and the blood draw; this interval depends on the type and dosage of HRT. Following confirmation of their post-menopausal status, they can resume use of HRT during the study without use of a contraceptive method.); Child-bearing potential with negative pregnancy test as determined by serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test at screening and urine hCG test prior to dosing; Agrees to use one of the contraception methods for 2 weeks prior to the day of dosing to sufficiently minimize the risk of pregnancy at that point. Female subjects must agree to use contraception until Day 112; OR has only same-sex partners, when this is her preferred and usual lifestyle
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) <2x upper limit of normal (ULN), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin <=1.5xULN (isolated bilirubin >1.5xULN is acceptable if bilirubin is fractionated and direct bilirubin <35%).
• Capable of giving written informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have previously participated in a study of SC belimumab.
• Have received a live vaccine within 30 days of Day 0 or anticipate receipt of a live vaccine during the study or within 120 days after the last injection of study drug.
• Have received a non-biologic investigational agent within 60 days of Day 0.
• Have severe active central nervous system (CNS) lupus (including seizures, psychosis, organic brain syndrome, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), cerebritis or CNS vasculitis requiring therapeutic intervention within 60 days of Day 0.
• Have clinical evidence of significant unstable or uncontrolled acute or chronic diseases not due to SLE (i.e., cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, neurological, malignancy, or infectious diseases) which, in the opinion of the principal investigator, could confound the results of the study or put the subject at undue risk.
• Have a planned surgical procedure
• History of any other medical disease (e.g., cardiopulmonary), laboratory abnormality, that, in the opinion of the investigator, makes the subject unsuitable for the study.
• Have required management of acute or chronic infections, as follows: Currently on any suppressive therapy for a chronic infection (such as tuberculosis, pneumocystis, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, herpes zoster, and atypical mycobacteria); Hospitalization for treatment of infection within 60 days of Day 0; Use of parenteral (IV or intramascular [IM]) antibiotics (antibacterials, antivirals, anti-fungals, or anti-parasitic agents) within 60 days of Day 0.
• History of or a positive test for human immuno virus (HIV) at Screening.
• A positive Hepatitis B surface antigen or Hepatitis B core antibody, or positive Hepatitis C antibody result within 3 months of Screening or positive at Screening.
• Have an Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency (IgA level <10 milligrams/deciliter).
• Have a Grade 3 or greater laboratory abnormality based on the Adverse Event Severity Grading except for the following that are allowed: Stable Grade 3 prothrombin time (PT) secondary to warfarin treatment; Stable Grade 3 partial thromboplastin time (PTT) due to lupus anticoagulant and not related to liver disease or anti-coagulant therapy; Stable Grade 3/4 proteinuria (<=6 grams/24 hour equivalent by spot urine protein to creatinine ratio allowed); Stable Grade 3 hypoalbuminemia due to lupus nephritis, and not related to liver disease or malnutrition; Stable Grade 3 gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) elevation due to lupus hepatitis, and not related to alcoholic liver disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or viral hepatitis. If present, any abnormalities in the ALT and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) must be<= Grade 2; Stable Grade 3 neutropenia or stable Grade 3 white blood cell count. Note: All Grade 3 or greater laboratory abnormalities will be flagged in the laboratory report. Therefore the above exceptions will be determined by the Investigator and Medical Monitor.
• Have a history of an anaphylactic reaction to parenteral administration of contrast agents, human or murine proteins, or monoclonal antibodies
• Have evidence of serious suicide risk including any history of suicidal behavior in the last 6 months, or who in the investigator's opinion, pose a significant suicide risk
• Have current drug or alcohol abuse or dependence, or a history of drug or alcohol abuse or dependence within 364 days prior to Day 0
• Are unable to administer study agent by SC injection.
• In the opinion of the investigator, any subject who is unable to read and/or would not be able to complete a patient diary.