GSK decision to return rights to sirukumab to Janssen and discontinue sirukumab development in polymyalgia rheumatica.

Sirukumab is a human anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the cytokine with high affinity that may have therapeutic benefit in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) by interrupting multiple pathogenic pathways. Sirukumab inhibits IL-6-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation, resulting in the inhibition of the biological effect of IL-6. This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of sirukumab to characterize the benefit-to-risk profile of sirukumab in the treatment of active PMR. The study will be conducted in 2 parts (Part A and Part B) and consists of the following phases: Screening phase, Part A: 52-week double-blind treatment phase, Part B: 52-week extension phase with no study drug administration and a 16-week follow-up phase if applicable.

Approximately 150 subjects with a diagnosis of PMR and active disease within 6 weeks of baseline will be randomized into Part A, the 52-week double-blind treatment phase, to receive one of two doses of sirukumab or placebo, each in addition to a pre-specified prednisone taper. The efficacy and safety of sirukumab in sustaining remission will be assessed at Week 52. Subjects completing Part A of the study who are in clinical remission will be eligible to enter Part B, the 52-week extension phase, designed to investigate the long-term maintenance of remission and safety following cessation of sirukumab treatment and to assess long-term corticosteroid use. Subjects will need to have follow-up safety evaluations for at least 16 weeks after receiving the last dose of study drug, applicable for those who have withdrawn prematurely from the study or who have completed Part A but are not eligible for Part B.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >=50 years
• Diagnosis of PMR based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2012 provisional PMR classification criteria, that is, at the time of PMR diagnosis, subjects should be aged 50 years or older, presenting with new-onset (<12 weeks of diagnosis) bilateral shoulder pain and abnormal acute-phase response, and are required to score 4 or more on the following criteria for the diagnosis of PMR: Morning stiffness duration >45 minutes (2 points) or Hip pain or limited range of motion (1 point) or Absence of rheumatic factor (RF) or anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) (2 points) or Absence of other joint involvement (1 point).
• Active PMR within 6 weeks of randomization where active disease is defined by an ESR >=30 millimeter (mm)/hour (hr) or CRP >=1 mg/dL within 6 weeks of randomization AND the presence of at least one of the following at screening (within 6 weeks of randomization): Unequivocal symptoms of PMR, defined as shoulder and/or hip girdle pain associated with inflammatory stiffness or Other features judged by the clinician investigator to be consistent with PMR or PMR flares (e.g. fever of unknown origin).
• Receiving oral prednisone 0-25 mg once daily (or equivalent) for PMR treatment at screening. Dosage of oral prednisone or equivalent, during the screening period can remain constant or be adjusted within the range of 0-25 mg prednisone equivalent based on investigator's discretion.
• Willing and able to receive treatment with oral prednisone 20 mg once daily at randomization and undergo a pre-defined blinded prednisone taper.
• No evidence of active or latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB)
• Be able to read, understand, and complete study questionnaires.
• Male and female subjects, where male subjects with female partners of child bearing potential must comply with the contraception requirements and not to donate sperm from the time of first dose of study medication until 4 months after the last dose of study medication. A female subject of child bearing potential must comply with contraception requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Features consistent with atypical PMR according to the investigator's clinical judgment. Investigators are encouraged to discuss with the medical monitor when there are questions regarding excluding subjects with atypical PMR. Atypical features or features that increase the likelihood of a non-PMR diagnosis may include some or all of the following: Age <60 years; Chronic onset (>2 months) at time of diagnosis; Lack of shoulder involvement; lack of inflammatory stiffness; prominent systemic features, weight loss, night pain, neurological signs; features of other rheumatic disease; Normal or extremely high acute-phase response; AND treatment dilemmas such as incomplete, poorly sustained or non-response to GCs, inability to reduce GCs, contraindications to GC therapy, the need for prolonged GC therapy (>2 years).
• History or current diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), or Large Vessel Vasculitis (LVV). If GCA/LVV is suspected, this should be ruled out by ultrasound or other imaging techniques (example. fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography) prior to entering the study.
• Maintained on GCs for 2 years or more prior to Screening.
• Other inflammatory rheumatic diseases with the exception of gout controlled on stable suppressive therapy and without flares for at least 2 years prior to screening and expected to remain on this therapy for the duration of the study.
• Recent (within the past 12 weeks) or planned major surgery that would impact on study procedures or assessments.
• Organ transplantation recipients (except corneas within 3 months prior to randomization visit).
• Requires continued or repeated use of systemic GCs for conditions other than PMR.
• Evidence of serious concomitant disease, which in the opinion of the investigator makes the subject unsuitable for participation in the study for either safety or efficacy.
• Major ischemic event within 12 weeks of screening.
• At screening, marked prolongation of corrected QT interval (QTc) > 450 millisecond (msec) [QTc by Bazett's formula (QTcB) or QTc by Fridericia's formula (QTcF)] or QTc > 480 msec in subjects with Bundle Branch Block. History of Torsade de Pointes, family history of long QT syndrome, history of second or third degree heart block.
• Current or chronic history of liver disease, or known hepatic or biliary abnormalities (with the exception of Gilbert's syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones).
• History of or current active diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other symptomatic gastro intestinal (GI) tract condition that might predispose to bowel perforation.
• History of known demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis or optic neuritis.
• Active infections, or history of recurrent infections or required management of acute or chronic infections, as follows: currently on any suppressive therapy for a chronic infection and History or suspicion of chronic infection (e.g. joint infection) OR Hospitalization for treatment of infection within 60 days of the randomization visit OR Use of parenteral (intravenous [IV] or intramuscular [IM]) antimicrobials (antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, or antiparasitic agents) within 60 days of randomization or oral antimicrobials within 30 days of randomization.
• Primary or secondary immunodeficiency.
• Human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) infection, hepatitis C.
• Hepatitis B infection
• Active malignancy or history of malignancy within previous 5 years.
• Any other autoimmune disease.
• Uncontrolled thyroid disease.
• Uncontrolled psychiatric or emotional disorder.
• Current history of suicidal ideation or past history of suicide attempt.
• Has received prior treatment with any of the following: Systemic immunosuppressives within 4 weeks of randomization; Systemic GCs for conditions other than PMR within 8 weeks of randomization; Biologic agents targeted at reducing Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha within 4-8 weeks of randomization, depending on the agent; B-cell depleting agents (e.g., rituximab) within 12 months prior to baseline or longer if B cell counts have not returned to the normal range or baseline levels; Any prior use of tocilizumab or other anti-IL-6 agents, Cytotoxic drugs such as cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, nitrogen mustard, or other alkylating agents, Abatacept and Tofacitinib; Methotrexate use within 2 weeks of randomization; Methylprednisolone > 100 mg/day IV (or equivalent) within 8 weeks of randomization.
• Has received, or is expected to receive, any live virus or bacterial vaccination within 3 months of randomization, during the study, or within 4 months after the last administration of study treatment. Have had a Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccination within 12 months of screening.
• Has received an investigational drug (including investigational vaccines) or used an investigational medical device within 3 months or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, before randomization.
• History of drug abuse, alcohol abuse within 3 years prior to screening.
• History of severe allergic reactions to monoclonal antibodies, human proteins, or excipients.
• History of sensitivity to any of the study medications, or components thereof or a history of drug or other allergy that, in the opinion of the investigator or Medical Monitor, contraindicates their participation
• Laboratory abnormalities at screening
• A female subject who is pregnant or lactating.