Lupus nephritis trial deaths halve Aurinia's value despite primary endpoint success

The share price of Canada’s Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (TSX: AUP) plummeted by nearly 55% on Monday after reports of the deaths of 13 patients in its trial of voclosporin for lupus nephritis (LN).

Despite the drug actually meeting the Phase IIb AURA-LV trial’s primary endpoint, and the independent investigator finding that the deaths were unrelated to study treatment, investors evidently jumped ship as news of the fatalities spread.

There were 265 patients enrolled in the trial, and two of those who died were being treated in the high-dose voclosporin arm, while 10 deaths occurred in the low-dose section and one was in the control arm. The trial took place at more than 20 centers worldwide and 11 of the 13 deaths came in Asia.