EULAR 2026: Industry Press Releases Save

Jack Cush, MD

Jun 02, 2026 4:31 am

Pharmaceutical companies are presenting pivotal clinical trial results and key data analyses at the EULAR 2026 Congress (June 3–6, London). Below is a summary of their most important studies — many of which are registration-enabling or will directly shape treatment decisions in rheumatic diseases.

Novartis

Novartis arrives at EULAR 2026 with 31 abstracts spanning its immunology portfolio across PMR, Sjögren's disease, SLE, SSc, and inflammatory myopathies.

Cosentyx® (secukinumab) — Phase 3 REPLENISH trial in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), the largest global Phase 3 trial ever conducted in PMR, will be featured in an oral session (Abstract OP0116, June 3, 4:30 PM BST) and a subgroup poster tour (POS0019, June 3, 3:30 PM BST).
Ianalumab — Phase 3 NEPTUNUS-1 and -2 extension study results through week 108 in Sjögren's disease will be presented in an oral session (OP0126, June 3, 4:50 PM BST), along with Phase 2 end-of-study data in SLE (OP0335, June 5, 8:15 AM BST).
Rapcabtagene autoleucel (rap-cel) — Preliminary data from the AUTOGRAPH-IIM and AUTOGRAPH-SSC studies will report early safety and efficacy of this autologous CD19 CAR-T therapy in severe refractory idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (OP077, June 3, 4:40 PM BST). Twenty-four-month follow-up data in refractory SLE will also be presented (POS0303, June 5, 4:00 PM BST).

UCB / Biogen — Dapirolizumab Pegol (SLE)

UCB and Biogen announced concurrent publication in The Lancet (May 29, 2026) of full results from the Phase 3 PHOENYCS GO trial of dapirolizumab pegol (DZP), a novel Fc-free anti-CD40L biologic, in moderate-to-severe SLE. DZP plus standard of care met the primary endpoint, with 50% of patients achieving BICLA response at Week 48 versus 35% on placebo plus SOC (p=0.011). Results favored DZP across multiple secondary measures including disease activity (SRI-4, SLEDAI-2K), severe flares, skin and joint outcomes, anti-dsDNA and complement levels, fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue), and glucocorticoid tapering. Serious TEAEs were less frequent in the DZP arm (10.0% vs. 14.8%). The confirmatory Phase 3 PHOENYCS FLY trial is currently enrolling. Additional EULAR presentations will provide further detail from PHOENYCS GO.

UCB — Bimekizumab (BIMZELX®) vs. Risankizumab in PsA: BE BOLD

UCB presented Week 16 results from BE BOLD, a Phase 3b head-to-head trial of bimekizumab (dual IL-17A/F inhibitor) versus risankizumab (IL-23 inhibitor) in active psoriatic arthritis. Bimekizumab is the first approved biologic to demonstrate statistically significant superiority over an IL-23 inhibitor in PsA, achieving ACR50 in 49.1% of patients versus 38.4% for risankizumab at Week 16. Early separation was evident by Week 4 (ACR50: 19.9% vs. 7.2%). Complete skin clearance (PASI100) was achieved by 53.4% vs. 46.6%. Secondary endpoints showed numerically greater responses across all measures without reaching statistical significance within the prespecified testing hierarchy. No new safety signals were observed. BE BOLD is the fourth head-to-head study in the bimekizumab program to demonstrate superiority. (Abstract LB0001, Oral Presentation, June 6, 12:00 BST)

Zenas BioPharma — Obexelimab in IgG4-RD

Zenas BioPharma will present full results from INDIGO, the Phase 3 registrational trial of obexelimab in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). Obexelimab is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody targeting both CD19 and FcγRIIb, designed to inhibit — rather than deplete — pathogenic B cells. INDIGO is the largest randomized controlled trial ever conducted in IgG4-RD and met its primary endpoint with a highly statistically significant 56% reduction in the risk of disease flare versus placebo (HR 0.443; 95% CI 0.277–0.711; p=0.0005) over 52 weeks. All four key secondary endpoints were also met, including time to first flare requiring rescue therapy, flare frequency, complete remission rates, and cumulative glucocorticoid use. A BLA has been submitted to the FDA (Q2 2026), with an EMA submission planned for H2 2026. (Oral Presentation, June 4, 2:45 PM GMT)

Avalyn Pharma — AP01 (Inhaled Pirfenidone) in Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis

Avalyn Pharma will present 4-year data from the ATLAS open-label extension trial of AP01, an optimized nebulized formulation of pirfenidone designed to deliver drug directly to the lungs with improved tolerability compared to oral pirfenidone. The poster will highlight long-term tolerability in patients with connective tissue disease-associated and other progressive pulmonary fibroses. AP01 is currently being evaluated in MIST, a global Phase 2b trial in progressive pulmonary fibrosis. (Poster POS1150, June 6, 10:15 AM BST)

Cullinan Therapeutics — CLN-978 (CD19×CD3 T Cell Engager) in RA and SLE

Cullinan Therapeutics will present initial Phase 1 data from the OUTRACE RA and OUTRACE SLE studies of CLN-978, a subcutaneously administered CD19×CD3 bispecific T cell engager, in patients with treatment-refractory RA and moderate-to-severe SLE. Early dose-escalation data demonstrate a favorable safety profile, robust B cell depletion in both peripheral blood and tissue, and early signals of clinical activity in both diseases. Updated data with additional patients will be included in the full EULAR presentation. Multi-dose regimen data in RA are expected in Q3 2026. (Poster POS1179, June 6, 10:15 AM BST)

Affibody — Izokibep in Psoriatic Arthritis

Affibody will present 52-week data from a global Phase 2b/3 study of izokibep, a novel miniaturized IL-17A inhibitor approximately one-tenth the size of a monoclonal antibody, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis. The study previously met its primary endpoint of ACR50 at Week 16 with high statistical significance. Week 52 results demonstrated continued improvement over time in patients randomized to either izokibep dose (160 mg Q2W or QW), and rapid improvement in patients crossing over from placebo. Izokibep was well-tolerated with a safety profile consistent with previous studies. Prof. Philip Mease will present the data. (Abstract OP073, Oral Presentation, June 3, 6:20 PM BST) tradingview

Alfasigma — Filgotinib (Jyseleca®) in Axial Spondyloarthritis: OLINGUITO

Alfasigma presented first results from the Phase 3 OLINGUITO trial of filgotinib, an oral once-daily JAK1-preferential inhibitor, across the full spectrum of axial spondyloarthritis (both radiographic and non-radiographic forms). Approximately 40–44% of patients achieved ASDAS inactive disease or low disease activity at Week 16, rising to 58–61% at Week 52, with trends consistent regardless of prior biologic DMARD exposure. Safety was consistent with the known filgotinib profile. Alfasigma plans to submit data to the EMA and MHRA to seek marketing authorization for filgotinib in axSpA. BioSpace

Imviva Biotech — CTA313 (Allogeneic CAR-T) in SLE

Imviva Biotech will present data on CTA313, its investigational dual-targeted CD19/BCMA allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy, in systemic lupus erythematosus. CTA313 incorporates the company's proprietary ANSWER™ platform, which includes multiple genetic edits to enhance persistence and reduce host immune rejection, providing an off-the-shelf treatment approach. Updated Phase 1/2 data previously shown at ASGCT 2026 demonstrated that all 18 evaluable SLE patients achieved SRI-4 response at a median 6-month follow-up, with 78% achieving Lupus Low Disease Activity State and 50% meeting DORIS remission criteria. The EULAR presentation will feature the durable remission and immune-reset translational data. (EULAR 2026, June 3–6) BioSpace

Kali Therapeutics — KT502 (CD19×CD3 T Cell Engager), Preclinical Data

Kali Therapeutics will present preclinical data for KT502, a high-potency CD19×CD3 bispecific T cell engager engineered with a proprietary masking design to decouple potent B cell lysis from systemic inflammatory responses. In non-human primate studies, KT502 demonstrated very potent B cell depletion with only low and transitory cytokine release, suggesting a significantly improved therapeutic window compared to first-generation T cell engagers. KT502 is formulated as a subcutaneous, liquid preparation intended for outpatient convenience. The company's lead program, KT501 (a CD19×BCMA×CD3 tri-specific T cell engager), entered Phase 1 in March 2026. (Oral Presentation, June 4, 8:25 AM BST, Room 12) prnewswire

Artiva Biotherapeutics — AlloNK® (AB-101) in Refractory Autoimmune Disease

Artiva Biotherapeutics will present multiple abstracts on AlloNK® (AB-101), an allogeneic NK cell therapy administered in combination with rituximab, across refractory rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's disease, and systemic sclerosis. A late-breaking oral presentation will report that AlloNK plus rituximab generated clinical efficacy responses comparable to autologous CAR-T therapy in 31 rheumatologic disease patients, with an outpatient-compatible safety profile. Initial data showed a 71% ACR50 response rate in refractory RA patients with at least 6 months of follow-up, with no patients relapsing or requiring new immunomodulatory agents, no CRS, no ICANS, and no AlloNK-related treatment discontinuations. More than 70 autoimmune patients have been treated across 40+ mostly community rheumatology sites. The FDA has aligned on a single Phase 3 registrational trial of AlloNK plus rituximab versus rituximab alone in ~150 refractory RA patients, with trial initiation planned for H2 2026. (Late-Breaking Abstract LB0003; Oral Abstract OP0129 in Sjögren's disease) BioSpace Yahoo Finance