Anti-BTLA Agonist Therapy in Subjects With Primary Sjogren's Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: Subjects are eligible for enrollment in the study only if they meet all of the following criteria: Have given written informed consent Are men or women aged 18 to 85, inclusive, at the time of initial screening Have a confirmed diagnosis of primary Sjogren's syndrome by the 2016 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for primary Sjogren's syndrome [2] ≥50mm on a visual analog scale (VAS) for ocular dryness or oral dryness or ≥5 on the ESSPRI score for dryness Have a Hočevar salivary gland ultrasound score (SGUS) (on a 0-48 point scale) and ≥10 [to detect relatively early disease with less anatomic derangement that will potentially be more responsive to treatment and to exclude patients with no changes on ultrasound that would preclude an ability to see improvement] [3] All women (regardless of childbearing potential) must test negative for pregnancy at the time of screening. Women must also agree to use a reliable method of birth control from screening until 12 weeks following last dose of study drug (adequate contraceptive measures include: intrauterine devices, hormonal contraceptives, complete sexual abstinence, or vasectomized partner), unless they are not of child-bearing potential as defined by meeting either of the following: Are at least 6 weeks after bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation, or hysterectomy Are postmenopausal, as defined by having had spontaneous amenorrhea for at least 12 months and a follicle-stimulating hormone level >40 mIU/mL at screening Have venous access sufficient to allow for blood sampling, as per the protocol Are reliable and willing to make themselves available for the duration of the study and are willing to follow study procedures Exclusion Criteria: Prior treatment with a BTLA agonist within 6 months before baseline Use of other biologic agents including TNF inhibitors, abatacept, IL-6 inhibitors, or BAFF inhibitors within 8 weeks prior to baseline Use of a B cell depleting therapy (such as rituximab) within 12 months prior to baseline A history of, or current, inflammatory or autoimmune disease (that could affect the interpretation of safety or efficacy outcomes) other than primary Sjogren's syndrome Evidence of active tuberculosis, HIV, or hepatitis B or C infection Have a diagnosis or history of malignant disease within 5 years prior to baseline, with the following exceptions: basal cell or squamous epithelial carcinomas of the skin that have been resected with no evidence of metastatic disease for 3 years and/or cervical carcinoma in situ, with no evidence of recurrence within the 5 years prior to baseline Prior LASIK or radial keratotomy surgery which could affect symptomatic complaints of eye dryness