Clinical trial No longer in our active list Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Evaluating the safety and effectiveness of litifilimab injections for adults with systemic lupus erythematosus

Official title: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Litifilimab (BIIB059) in Adult Participants With Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Receiving Background Nonbiologic Lupus Standard of Care

Run by Biogen · NCT04895241 · Data updated 2026-05-14

This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.

This study is testing if litifilimab injections can help adults with active systemic lupus erythematosus feel better while they continue their usual treatments.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment540 (estimated)
SponsorBiogen
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionscyclophosphamide, prednisone, litifilimab
Locations169 sites (Homewood, Alabama and 168 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04895241 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus who have active disease and meet specific criteria related to disease activity.

Probably not a fit

Patients with mild or inactive systemic lupus erythematosus may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the safety and efficacy of litifilimab (BIIB059) injections in adults diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are currently experiencing active disease. Participants will receive either the study drug or a placebo while continuing their standard care medications. The primary goal is to assess the improvement in SLE symptoms over a 52-week period using various scoring tools, including the SLE Responder Index and the SLE Disease Activity Index. Additionally, the study will monitor the safety profile of litifilimab throughout the treatment duration.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve the management of symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar approaches, but the specific use of litifilimab in this context is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Key Inclusion Criteria:

* Participant must be diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at least 24 weeks prior to screening and must meet the 2019 European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) / American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for SLE at screening by a qualified physician.
* Participant has a modified Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score ≥ 6 (excluding alopecia, fever, lupus-related headache, and organic brain syndrome) at screening (adjudicated).
* Participant has a modified clinical SLEDAI-2K score ≥ 4 (excluding anti-dsDNA, low complement component 3 (C3) and/or complement component 4 (C4), alopecia, fever, lupus-related headache, and organic brain syndrome) at Screening (adjudicated) and randomization.
* Participant has BILAG-2004 grade A in ≥ 1 organ system or BILAG-2004 grade B in ≥ 2 organ systems at Screening (adjudicated) and randomization.
* Participant must be treated with one of the following background nonbiologic lupus SOC therapies, initiated ≥ 12 weeks prior to Screening and at stable dose ≥ 4 weeks prior to randomization:

  1. Antimalarials as stand-alone treatment
  2. Antimalarial treatment in combination with OCS and/or a single immunosuppressant
  3. Treatment with OCS and/or a single immunosuppressant

Key Exclusion Criteria:

* History of or positive test result for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
* Current hepatitis C infection (defined as positive hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody and detectable HCV ribonucleic acid \[RNA\]).
* Current hepatitis B infection (defined as positive for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or positive for total hepatitis antibody to B core antigen \[anti-HBc\] with positive reflex HBV DNA).
* History of severe herpes infection.
* Presence of uncontrolled or New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure.
* Active severe lupus nephritis where, in the opinion of the Investigator, protocol-specified SOC is insufficient and use of a more aggressive therapeutic approach is indicated, such as adding IV cyclophosphamide and/or high-dose IV pulse corticosteroid therapy or other treatments not permitted in the protocol is indicated; or urine protein-creatinine ratio \> 2.0 or severe chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate \< 30 milliliters per minute per 1.73 meter square \[mL/min/1.73 m\^2\]) calculated using the abbreviated modification of diet in renal disease equation.
* Any active skin conditions other than cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) that may interfere with the study assessment of CLE such as but not limited to psoriasis, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, non-LE skin lupus manifestation or drug-induced lupus.
* History or current diagnosis of a clinically significant non-SLE-related vasculitis syndrome.
* Active neuropsychiatric SLE.
* Use of oral prednisone (or equivalent) above 20 mg/day.

Note: Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion criteria may apply.

Where it's running

  • Tilda Research Birmingham
    Homewood, Alabama, United States
    Recruiting
  • Wallace Rheumatic Study Center
    Beverly Hills, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Providence Facey Medical Foundation
    Mission Hills, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Providence Facey Medical Foundation
    Mission Hills, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of California San Diego School of Medicine
    San Diego, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • SCLA Management
    Thousand Oaks, California, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
    Torrance, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Inland Rheumatology Clinical Trials, Inc.
    Upland, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
    Aurora, Colorado, United States
    Recruiting
  • Georgetown University Hospital-Medstar
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease Specialties
    Aventura, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Highlands Rheumatology
    Avon Park, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Clinical Research of West Florida - Corporate
    Clearwater, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Believe Clinical Trials
    Coral Springs, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Believe Clinical Trials
    Coral Springs, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Omega Research Consultants
    DeBary, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • GNP Research at Mark Jaffe, MD
    Hollywood, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Life Clinical Trials
    Margate, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Charisma Medical and Research Center
    Miami Lakes, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Rheumatology Associates of Central Florida
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Vantage Clinical Trials
    Tampa, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Rheumatology care of Georgia
    Kennesaw, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Atlanta Research Center for Rheumatology LLC
    Marietta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Accurate Clinical Research Inc.
    Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • AA MRC LLC Ahmed Arif Medical Research Center
    Flint, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Washington University School of Medicine
    Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Renown Medical Group
    Reno, Nevada, United States
    Recruiting
  • Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Ambulatory Care Center
    Brooklyn, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Northwell Health Center for Advanced Medicine
    New Hyde Park, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Rochester Medical Center
    Rochester, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • SUNY Upstate Medical Center
    Syracuse, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • OnSite Clinical Solutions, LLC - Charlotte
    Salisbury, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Paramount Medical Research & Consulting, LLC
    Middleburg Heights, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Hightower Clinical
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ramesh C Gupta, MD
    Memphis, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Nashville, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • PrimeCare 360
    Allen, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Precision Comprehensive Clinical Research Solution
    Colleyville, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Precision Comprehensive Clinical Research Solution
    Colleyville, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Precision Comprehensive Clinical Research Solutions
    Colleyville, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Arthritis Care Texas
    Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Prolato Clinical Research Center
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Accurate Clinical Management LLC
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Accurate Clinical Management LLC
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Accurate Clinical Research, Inc.
    Humble, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Accurate Clinical Research
    Stafford, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Fort Bend Rheumatology Associates
    Sugar Land, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Advanced Rheumatology of Houston
    The Woodlands, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Washington
    Seattle, Washington, United States
    Recruiting

+119 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.