Immupharma Plc (LON:IMM) Non-Executive Chairman Tim McCarthy talks to DirectorsTalk about its phase 3 trial of Lupuzor. Tim explains the importance of completing the recruitment of the 200 patients and stay on track, the significance of the 70 patients that are being dosed in the US, detail on the Lupuzor safety profile and its importance, the market potential of Lupuzor if approved and key milestones for ImmuPharma in 2017/2018.
ImmuPharma plc note that there are an estimated five million people globally suffering from Lupus, with approximately 1.5 million patients in the US, Europe and Japan (Source: Lupus Foundation of America). Current ‘standard of care’ treatments, including steroids and immunosuppressants, can potentially have either serious side effects for patients or limited effectiveness, with over 60% of patients not adequately treated. GlaxoSmithKline’s Benlysta is the first Lupus drug approved in over 50 years and paves the path to market for Lupuzor™. Based on conservative estimates, and taking into account that Benlysta is priced currently at approximately $35,000 per patient per year, Lupuzor™ would be entering a market with the potential for multi-billion dollar sales.