German Merck KGaA starts mid-stage lupus trial

FRANKFURT, June 5 (Reuters) - Merck KGaA (MRCG.DE) has started a mid-stage trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of atacicept in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the German drugs and chemicals group said on Thursday.

"Atacicept has the potential to alter the course of SLE, a complex and devastating disease," said Anton Hoos, Merck Serono's head of global development, in a statement.

Merck Serono, which is jointly conducting the 52-week Phase II/III clinical study involving about 500 patients with ZymoGenetics (ZGEN.O), is a unit of Merck KGaA.

Late last year, the company had initiated a second Phase II/III study in lupus nephritis, a severe form of SLE in which the kidneys are affected.

"These two studies are intended to form part of a potential registration package to support worldwide applications for marketing authorization," Merck KGaA said. (Reporting by Mantik Kusjanto; Editing by Louise Ireland)