Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lexicon’s LX2931 drug candidate is intended to treat rheumatoid arthritis by regulating lymphocyte trafficking
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The body's own immune system attacks a joint's synovial membrane, which becomes inflamed and secretes fluid; the cartilage becomes rough and pitted. |
About the Disease
The large and extended family of autoimmune diseases includes more than 80 chronic, and often disabling, illnesses that develop when underlying defects in the immune system lead the body to attack its own organs, tissues, and cells. The cells and antibodies that comprise a normal immune system destroy “invaders” such as microbes; but individuals with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body’s tissues instead. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease characterized by fever, malaise, fatigue, pain, stiffness, and eventually deformation of the joints.
About the Market
While many of the individual diseases are rare, autoimmune diseases are estimated to collectively affect up to 23.5 million people in the United States. In addition, an estimated 43 million Americans have arthritis or other rheumatic conditions. Moreover an estimated 2.1 million Americans, or about one percent of the total U.S. population, are living with rheumatoid arthritis.
Most autoimmune diseases are chronic and long term. The goal for many patients is to find treatments that reduce the impact of the symptoms and allow them to live comfortably. In 2006, an estimated $14.4 billion was spent on drugs to treat arthritis and related diseases or symptoms.
The most common treatments on the market target specific proteins in the body's immune system in order to help control inflammation. While some of these injectable, protein-based drugs are successful in reducing inflammation, they also have many side effects and can compromise immune system function.
The Lexicon Solution
LX2931 is an oral small molecule that targets sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) lyase to regulate lymphocyte migration. Phase 1 clinical trials with LX2931 began in December 2007.