Benlysta heading in right direction, but uptake slower than originally expected, says BioTrends

Rheumatologists are maintaining enthusiasm for Human Genome Sciences (Nasdaq: HGSI)  and GlaxoSmithKline’s (LSE: GSK) Benlysta (belimumab), the first drug approved for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in five decades, according to a new post launch survey from BioTrends, a division of Decision Resources.

While the percent of rheumatologists initiating trial as well as the average number of patients on Benlysta have both increased significantly over the Wave 1 report, rapid uptake is stymied largely by two factors - the lag in reimbursement approval and the ambivalence about what the “appropriate” patient looks like.

While surveyed rheumatologists suggest that Benlysta is most likely to replace Roche’s Rituxan (rituximab), or Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), actual patient origination in close to 60% of Benlysta patients have been following Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) failure or a single immunosuppressant failure. The vast majority of the patients started on Benlysta are also on chronic steroids, and rheumatologists report that being able to lower the steroid dose is one of the main advantages Benlysta has over other therapeutic options, notes BioTrends.