By VETTAPHARMA reporter – Derek Roche: UCB reported new analyses from its Phase III PHOENYCS GO program showing that dapirolizumab pegol (DZP) demonstrated the potential to reduce disease flares, maintain disease control, and support glucocorticoid tapering in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The findings were presented at the 2026 European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR).
Phase 3 Data Show Sustained SLE Control With Lower Steroid Use: Dapirolizumab pegol maintained disease control through Week 48 while reducing glucocorticoid exposure versus placebo.
EULAR 2026 Results Highlight Fewer Flares and Immune Improvements: Additional findings showed reduced flare rates and improved immunological markers in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
A post hoc analysis of the Phase III study showed that patients receiving DZP plus standard of care were more likely than those receiving placebo plus standard of care to achieve disease control while reducing glucocorticoid doses to ≤7.5 mg/day through Week 48. The analysis focused on patients receiving baseline glucocorticoid doses greater than 7.5 mg/day prednisone equivalent.
According to UCB, higher proportions of patients treated with DZP achieved sustained glucocorticoid tapering while also achieving key measures of disease control, including BICLA response, SRI-4 response, and freedom from moderate or severe BILAG-2004 flares through Week 48.
Additional presentations from the PHOENYCS GO program demonstrated improvements in immunological markers associated with disease activity. Patients with abnormal baseline values experienced reductions in anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies and increases in complement proteins C3 and C4, biomarkers commonly used to monitor lupus activity.
UCB also presented analyses showing lower rates of moderate and moderate-to-severe BILAG-2004 flares in patients receiving DZP plus standard of care compared with placebo plus standard of care through Week 48. The company stated that these findings further support the potential of the investigational therapy to address the long-term burden of disease activity and flare recurrence in SLE.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and central nervous system. Disease flares contribute to irreversible organ damage, increased morbidity, and mortality, while prolonged glucocorticoid exposure is associated with significant cumulative toxicity.
For patients, the ability to maintain disease control while reducing steroid use remains a major treatment goal. The EULAR findings suggest that dapirolizumab pegol may help reduce flare risk and steroid exposure while maintaining clinical benefit.
Commercially, the data add to the growing evidence base supporting dapirolizumab pegol, which is being developed jointly by UCB and Biogen. Positive Phase III findings could strengthen the program’s positioning in a lupus treatment landscape where unmet need remains substantial despite recent therapeutic advances.
Quick FAQs
What Did UCB Present at EULAR 2026?
UCB presented new Phase III PHOENYCS GO analyses showing that dapirolizumab pegol may help reduce flare rates, maintain disease control, and support glucocorticoid tapering in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
What Is Dapirolizumab Pegol?
Dapirolizumab pegol is an investigational anti-CD40L biologic being developed by UCB and Biogen for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. It remains unapproved by health authorities worldwide.
What Is the PHOENYCS GO Study?
PHOENYCS GO is a Phase III randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating dapirolizumab pegol plus standard of care in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The EULAR presentations reported 48-week analyses from the trial.
How Did Dapirolizumab Pegol Affect Disease Flares and Steroid Use?
The analyses showed lower flare rates and a higher likelihood of maintaining disease control while tapering glucocorticoid doses to ≤7.5 mg/day through Week 48 compared with placebo plus standard of care.
What Biomarker Improvements Were Observed?
Patients treated with dapirolizumab pegol showed reductions in anti-dsDNA antibodies and increases in complement proteins C3 and C4 among those with abnormal baseline levels, indicating improvements in immunological markers associated with lupus activity.
Why Is This Important for Patients With Lupus?
Reducing disease flares while minimizing long-term steroid exposure is a key treatment goal in SLE. The findings suggest dapirolizumab pegol may help patients maintain disease control while reducing reliance on glucocorticoids.
