India’s biopharma leader Biocon, and Equillium, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, have extended their EQUALISE study in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Lupus Nephritis for itolizumab (ALZUMAb-L) to India. The companies had previously said that EQUALISE trial is a phase 1b open-label, proof-of-concept clinical study for Lupus Nephritis patients, which has been expanded to tertiary hospitals in India after DCGI approval. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting joints, skin, lungs, kidney, brain and blood vessels. A joint statement by the companies on Thursday said that itolizumab will prove to be an efficient drug in combating Lupus, which has over 45,000 victims in India.