Steritas LLC, a company focused on improving care for patients treated with steroids, has partnered with global immunology company Argenx. This licensing agreement allows Argenx to utilize Steritas’ STOX® Suite of steroid-toxicity clinical outcome assessments (COAs) throughout their immunology therapeutics development programs.
The STOX Suite offers digital tools that provide standardized and validated measurements of the full range of steroid toxicity effects. These COAs can be employed in research settings and at the point of care. Their use aims to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of new steroid-sparing treatments, allowing clinicians to optimize treatment strategies, reduce steroid usage, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Argenx will integrate the complete STOX Suite into its Immunology Innovation Program, incorporating it into clinical trials, health economics and outcome research, and real-world evidence studies. This collaboration aims to bolster research evaluating chronic steroid use in both specific clinical groups and broader populations. The data gathered will support the development of Argenx’s innovative antibody-based medicines designed to treat autoimmune diseases.
Steroids, introduced clinically in 1948 with cortisone, are widely used across various medical fields. They remain a first-line treatment for numerous inflammatory conditions despite advancements in therapeutic alternatives. However, the negative consequences of prolonged steroid use necessitate research, monitoring, and reduction of steroid use in patients. This recognized need led to the development of the Glucocorticoid Toxicity Index (GTI), the first validated COA for quantifying steroid-toxicity, and the foundation of Steritas’ STOX Suite.
This multi-year agreement signifies the importance of studying steroid-toxicity and its impact on routine patient care. Argenx’s commitment to investigating steroid-related issues aims to alleviate patient suffering and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. The company’s pipeline of precision therapeutics seeks to provide relief to patients not only from their underlying disease but also from the burdens of current treatments. The collaboration with Steritas underscores Argenx’s focus on the real-world impact of their medicines. Evaluating the burden of steroids across various treated conditions is generating valuable data on their extent of use and their detrimental long-term effects. This partnership is seen as crucial for exploring and understanding the measurable negative consequences of long-term steroid use and the potential advantages of reducing steroid-related burdens for patients.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
