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Anthera Announces Data from the Phase 2b PEARL-SC Study Will Be Presented at the 10th International Congress on Systemic Lupus

^{Published on 2013-03-22 05:16:16 - Market Wire}
 

Anthera Announces Data from the Phase 2b PEARL-SC Study Will Be Presented... -- HAYWARD, Calif., March 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

HAYWARD, Calif., March 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: [ ANTH ]), a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat serious diseases associated with inflammation and autoimmune disorders, today announced its abstract entitled "Blisibimod, an Emerging Subcutaneous Biologic Therapy for Patients with Active, Moderate-to-Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus," has been selected as an oral presentation and will be presented at the 10th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by Dr. Morton Scheinberg , a rheumatologist at the Hospital Abreu Sodre Pesquisa Clinica in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 20, 2013.

Additionally, a poster entitled "Clinical Experience in Latin America With Blisibimod Amongst Subjects with Active, Moderate-to-Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Data From The Phase 2b PEARL-SC Study," will be presented by Dr. Scheinberg as part of the conferences Guided Poster Tours on April 19, 2013.

The poster will be available on [ www.anthera.com ].

About Blisibimod and PEARL-SC

BAFF has been associated with a wide range of B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, IgA nephropathy, immune thrombocytopenic purpura and others. Multiple clinical studies with other BAFF antagonists recently have reported on BAFF inhibitors potential positive role in treating lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Anthera is advancing its development of blisibimod, a selective inhibitor of BAFF, to expand its potential clinical utility in autoimmune diseases. Blisibimod is a novel fusion protein called a peptibody and is distinct from an antibody. Anthera owns worldwide rights to blisibimod in all potential indications.  The PEARL-SC Phase 2 study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of blisibimod plus standard of care, versus placebo plus standard of care.  A total of 547 patients with active SLE were randomized to receive one of three different doses of blisibimod or placebo (100 mg weekly, 200 mg weekly or 200 mg monthly) administered subcutaneously over a minimum 24-week treatment period, in addition to standard-of-care therapy. The study was conducted at multiple centers worldwide. 

About Anthera Pharmaceuticals

Anthera Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat serious diseases associated with inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical matters, including statements that are preceded by, followed by, or that include such words as "estimate," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "goal," "expect," "project," or similar statements, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on Anthera's expectations as of the date of this press release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially as set forth in Anthera's public filings with the SEC, including Anthera's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  Anthera disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

CONTACT: Bianca Nery of Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., [ bnery@anthera.com ] or 510.856.5586.

SOURCE Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.