CA2836926A1

CA2836926A1 - Methods of treating systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and myositis with an antibody against interferon-alpha

Info

Publication number: CA2836926A1
Application number: CA2836926A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ryan CRISTE; Lorin Roskos; Wendy White; Dominique ETHGEN; Rajesh Narwal; Gabriel ROBBIE
Original assignee: MedImmune LLC
Current assignee: MedImmune LLC
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2012-05-23
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: RU2013157177A; EP2714080A4; CN103732251A; EP2714080A1; BR112013030242A2; MX2013013785A; WO2012162367A1; KR20140043402A; JP2014516970A

Abstract

The disclosure relates to methods of treating systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and myositis comprising the administration of an anti-interferon-alpha antibody. Specifically, the disclosure provides weight-based and fixed dose administration regimes based on pharmacokinetic characteristics. Further disclosed are sequences of complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of heavy chain and light chain variable regions of the antibody. The methods of suppressing an interferon (I FN) pharmacodynamic signature are also provided.

Description

METHODS OF TREATING SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, SCLERODERMA, AND MYOSITIS WITH AN ANTIBODY AGAINST INTERFERON-ALPHA
Inventors: Ryan Criste Lorin Roskos Wendy White Rajesh Narwal Dominique Ethgen Gabriel Robbie BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure provides methods for treatment of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and myositis with anti-IFN-alpha antibodies.
BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Type I interferons (IFN) (IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IFN-omega, IFN-tau) are a family of structurally related cytokines having antiviral, antitumor and immunomodulatory effects (Hardy et al. (2001) Blood 97:473; Cutrone and Langer (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276:17140). The human IFN-alpha locus includes two subfamilies. The first subfamily consists of at least 14 non allelic genes and 4 pseudogenes having at least 75% homology. The second subfamily, alpha-II or omega, contains 5 pseudogenes and 1 functional gene which exhibits 70%
homology with the IFN-alpha genes. The subtypes of IFN-alpha have different specific activities but they possess the same biological spectrum (Streuli et al.
(1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:2848) and have the same cellular receptor (Agnet M. et al. (1983) in "Interferon 5" Ed. I. Gresser p. 1-22, Academic Press, London).

[0003] Increased expression of type I interferons has been described in numerous autoimmune diseases (Foulis et al. (1987) Lancet 2:1423; Hooks et al. (1982) Arthritis Rheum 25:396; Hertzog et al. (1988) Clin. lmmunol.
lmmunopathol. 48:192; Hopkins and Meager (1988) Clin. Exp. lmmunol. 73:88;
Arvin and Miller (1984) Arthritis Rheum. 27:582). The most studied examples of this are insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (Foulis (1987) supra), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (Hooks (1982) supra; Blanco et al. (2001) Science 294:1540; Ytterberg and Schnitzer (1982) Arthritis Rheum. 25:401;
Batteux et al. (1999) Eur. Cytokine Netw.:509), and autoimmune thyroiditis (Prummel and Laurberg (2003) Thyroid 13:547; Mazziotti et al. (2002) J.
Endocrinol. Invest. 25:624; You et al. (1999) Chin. Med. J. 112:61; Koh et al.

(1997) Thyroid 7:891), which are all associated with elevated levels of IFN a, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (Hertzog (1988), Hopkins and Meager (1988), Arvin and Miller (1984), supra) in which IFN-beta may play a more significant role. For a review on the role of IFN-alpha on organ-targeted autoimmune and inflammatory diseases see Crow (2010) Arthritis Res. Ther. 12:S5.

[0004] Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), often referred to as lupus, is a prototypic systemic autoimmune disease. The disease includes constitutional symptoms and signs, musculoskeletal, cutaneous, renal, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cardiac, reticuloendothelial, hematological and neuropsychiatric manifestations. The cutaneous manifestations are among the most common in SLE. A substantial body of evidence suggests type I interferons (IFNs), particularly IFN-alpha, play a key role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For a review on the use of anticytokine therapy in the treatment of SLE see Yoo (2010) Lupus 19:1460.

[0005] Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis (SSC), is a progressive, debilitating autoimmune disorder characterized by excess protein deposition into the extracellular matrix by dermal fibroblasts, also referred to as dermal fibrosis.
Patients with diffuse cutaneous disease often present unique markers such as upregulation of type I interferon (IFN)-induced genes in skin. Supporting the idea that IFN plays a role in dermal fibrosis are recent reports of scleroderma arising in patients receiving IFN therapy for chronic viral infection. For a review of systemic sclerosis, see Varga & Abraham (2007) J. Clin. Invest. 117:557-567.
See also Coelho et al. (2008) lmmunol. Lett. 118:110-115.

[0006] Myositis, a general term for inflammation of the muscles, is a group of conditions that are frequently associated with autoimmune conditions. Types of myositis include, e.g., myositis ossificans, fibromyositis, (idiopathic) inflammatory myopathies, dermatomyositis, juvenile dermatomyositis, polymyositis, inclusion body myositis, and pyomyositis [0007] Administration of IFN-alpha has been reported to exacerbate underlying disease in patients with psoriasis, autoimmune thyroiditis and multiple sclerosis and to induce an SLE like syndrome in patients without a previous history of autoimmune disease. Interferon a has also been shown to induce glomerulonephritis in normal mice and to accelerate the onset of the spontaneous autoimmune disease of NZB/W mice. Further, IFN-alpha therapy has been shown in some cases to lead to undesired side effects, including fever and neurological disorders. Thus, there are pathological situations in which inhibition of IFN-alpha activity may be beneficial to the patient and a need exists for methods of treatment effective in inhibiting IFN-alpha activity.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] The disclosure provides methods of treating autoimmune diseases such as SLE, SSC, and myositis in a human subject comprising administration of an anti-interferon alpha antibody. These methods can be used for therapeutic, including prophylactic, purposes, for example in situations where the production or expression of interferon alpha is associated with pathological symptoms. In some embodiments sifalimumab (MEDI-545), an investigational fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody against interferon-alpha, is used.

[0009] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of treating an autoimmune disorder in a human subject comprising administering to the subject an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which specifically binds to human interferon alpha, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL, CLõ, CL/F, or CL/F) of between about 99 and about 432 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Võ or Vz/F) of between about 3 and about 17 L, and a serum half-life of about 14 days to about 48 days is achieved following the administration; and wherein the autoimmune disorder is systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or myositis.

[0010] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof binds an epitope on human interferon alpha recognized by an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22. In other embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof comprises: (a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 4; (c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:
7; (d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 10; (e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 13; and (f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 16. In some other embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof comprises: (a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID
NO:34, SEQ ID NO; 35, SEQ ID NO:36 or SEQ ID NO:37; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.

[0011] The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof can be a human antibody, a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is an IgG1 or IgG4 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.
In certain embodiments, the antigen binding fragment is a Fab antibody fragment or a single chain antibody (scFv).

[0012] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered in a dosage dependent on the subject's body weight. In certain embodiments, such weight-based dosage ranges from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of the subject's body weight. In some embodiments, such weight-based dosage is chosen from about 0.3 mg/kg body weight, about 1 mg/kg body weight, about 3 mg/kg body weight, and about 10 mg/kg body weight.

[0013] In other embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered as a fixed dosage. In certain embodiments, such fixed dosage ranges from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg. In other embodiments, the fixed dosage is chosen from about 100 mg, about 200 mg, about 600 mg, and about 1200 mg.

[0014] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered as a single dose or is administered in two or more doses once per week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, once every four weeks, once a month, once every 3 months, once every six months, or at varying intervals. In some embodiments, a loading dose is administered at Day 14.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the administration is by a route chosen from intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracerobrospinal, subcutaneous, intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrathecal, oral, topical, inhalation, and a combination of two or more recited routes.

[0016] In some embodiments, the administration is intravenous (IV) administration. In some embodiments, IV administration is by IV infusion over a period of time. In some embodiments, the time to reach maximum plasma concentration (T. or Tmax ss) following IV administration is about 0.13 days or less. In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 0.3 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax of about 0.12 days or less, a maximum plasma concentration (C.) of about 7 to about 15 pg/mL, an area under the plasma concentration-time curve during a dosage interval (T) (AUCT) of about 54 to about 104 pg day/mL, and a trough plasma concentration (Ctrough) of about 2 to about 4 pg/mL. In other embodiments, a single IV administration of about 0.3 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T. of about 0.07 days, an average C. of about 11 pg/mL, an average AUCT of about 79 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough of about 3 pg/mL.

[0017] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 1 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax of about 0.12 days or less, a C. of about 21 to about 43 pg/mL, an AUCT of about 153 to about 290 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough of about 4 to about 12 pg/mL. In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 1 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T. of about 0.08 days, an average C. of about 32 pg/mL, an average AUCT of about 221 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough of about 8 pg/mL.

[0018] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 3 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax of about 0.13 days or less, a C. of about 64 to about 143 pg/mL, an AUCT of about 469 to about 1010 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough of about 12 to about 35 pg/mL.
In other embodiments, a single IV administration of about 3 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
an average Tmax of about 0.09 days, an average Cmax of about 103 pg/mL, an average AUCT of about 739 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough of about 23 pg/mL.

[0019] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 10 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax of about 0.13 days or less, a Cmax of about 141 to about 318 pg/mL, an AUCT of about 979 to about 2241 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough of about 27 to about 76 pg/mL.
In other embodiments, a single IV administration of about 10 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax of about 0.09 days, an average Cmax of about 230 pg/mL, an average AUCT of about 1610 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough of about 52 pg/mL.

[0020] In some embodiments, the administration of a sufficient number of IV
doses of about 0.3 mg/kg at about 14-day intervals achieves a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
a Tmax ss of about 0.60 days or less, a Cmax ss of about 11 to about 25 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 89 to about 197 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 5 to about 11 pg/mL is achieved.

[0021] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 0.17 days, an average Cmax ss of about 18 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 143 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough ss of about 8 pg/mL is achieved.

[0022] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CLss) of between about 99 and about 271 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of between about 4 and about 9 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days to about 43 days is achieved.

[0023] In certain embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CLõ) of about 185 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 6 L, and an average serum half-life of about 29 days is achieved.

[0024] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax ss of about 0.11 days or less, a C max ss of about 29 to about 67 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 213 to about 591 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 9 to about 30 pg/mL is achieved.

[0025] In other embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 0.07 days, an average Cmax ss of about 48 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 197 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough ss of about 11 pg/mL is achieved.

[0026] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL) of between about 118 and about 348 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of between about 4 and about 9 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days to about 32 days is achieved.

[0027] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CLss) of about 233 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 6 L, and an average serum half-life of about 23 days is achieved.

[0028] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T. õ of about 0.33 days or less, a Cmax ss of about 75 to about 232 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 533 to about 1843 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 26 to about 74 pg/mL is achieved.

[0029] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 0.13 days, an average Cmax ss of about 153 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 1188 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough ss of about 50 pg/mL is achieved.

[0030] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CLss) of between about 136 and about 304 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of between about 3 and about 7 L, and a serum half-life of about 14 days to about 26 days is achieved.

[0031] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CLss) of about 220 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 5 L, and an average serum half-life of about 20 days is achieved.

[0032] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T. ss about 0.82 days or less, a Cmax ss of about 288 to about 595 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 2539 to about 4267 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 93 to about 275 pg/mL
is achieved.

[0033] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T. ss of about 0.23 days, an average C. ss of about 232 pg/mL, an average AUG, ss of about 3403 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough ss of about 184 pg/mL is achieved.

[0034] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL) of between about 157 and about 319 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of between about 4 and about 7 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days to about 29 days is achieved.

[0035] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL) of about 238 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 6 L, and an average serum half-life of about 22 days is achieved.

[0036] In some embodiments, the number of IV doses at about 14-day intervals required to achieve steady state is about 5 to about 8 doses.

[0037] In some embodiments, the administration is subcutaneous (SC) administration. In certain embodiments, the dosage is 100 mg administered as a single SC dose, or is administered weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. In some embodiments, a T. or Tmax ss of between about 2 and about 10 days is achieved after SC administration.

[0038] In some embodiments, a single SC administration of about 100 mg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T. of about 2 to about 10 days, a C. of about 4 to about 21 pg/mL, an area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time of last measurable concentration (AUCiast) of about 175 to about 666 pg day/mL, and an area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC.) of about 204 to about 751 pg day/mL.

[0039] In some embodiments, a single SC administration of about 100 mg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T. of about 6 days, a C. of about 13 pg/mL, an AUCiast of about 421 pg day/mL, and an AUC.L. of about 477 pg day/mL.

[0040] In some embodiments, a single SC administration of about 100 mg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL/F) of between about 118 and about 432 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of between about 5 and about 12 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days to about 34 days.

[0041] In some embodiments, a single SC administration of about 100 mg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL/F) of about 275 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (\//F) of about 8 L, and a serum half-life of about 25 days.

[0042] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
a Tmax ss of about 2 to about 7 days, a Cmax ss of about 37 to about 93 pg/mL, an AUCTss of about 248 to about 638 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 38 to about 80 pg/mL is achieved.

[0043] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 4 days, an average C.

ss of about 65 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 443 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 59 pg/mL is achieved.

[0044] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
a clearance rate (CLss/F) of between about 168 and about 396 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (\//F) of between about 7 and about 15 L, and a serum half-life of about 22 days to about 35 days is achieved.

[0045] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CLss) of about 282 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of about 11 L, and an average serum half-life of about 28 days is achieved.

[0046] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
a Tmax ss of about 2 to about 7 days, a Cmax ss of about 30 to about 49 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 424 to about 567 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 21 to about 40 pg/mL is achieved.

[0047] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 4 days, an average C.

ss of about 39 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 495 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 30 pg/mL is achieved.

[0048] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
a clearance rate (CLss/F) of between about 172 and about 240 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of between about 6 and about 10 L, and a serum half-life of about 19 days to about 37 days is achieved.

[0049] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL) of about 406 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of about 8 L, and an average serum half-life of about 28 days is achieved.

[0050] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
a Tmax ss of about 3 to about 8 days, a Cmax ss of about 14 to about 34 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 326 to about 641 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 6 to about 15 pg/mL is achieved.

[0051] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 6 days, an average C.

ss of about 49 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 483 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 11 pg/mL is achieved.

[0052] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
a clearance rate (CLss/F) of between about 152 and about 302 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of between about 5 and about 17 L, and a serum half-life of about 19 days to about 47 days is achieved.

[0053] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL) of about 227 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of about 11 L, and an average serum half-life of about 33 days is achieved.

[0054] In certain embodiments, the administration of a sufficient number of doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof suppresses an IFN pharmacodynamic signature. In some embodiments, the IFN
pharmacodynamic signature is a Type I IFN-alpha inducible expression profile.
The Type I IFN-alpha inducible expression profile can comprises the up-regulated expression of a gene marker set comprising IF144, IF127, IF144L, NAPTP, LAMP3, LY6E, RSAD2, HERC5, IF16, I5G15, 0A53, RTP4, IFIT1, MX1, SIGLEC1, 0A52, USP18, OAS1, EPSTI1, PLSCR1 and IFRG28. In some embodiments, the anti-IFN antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof neutralizes the pharmacodynamic expression profile of the patient by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30% or at least 40%.
In certain embodiments the method the reduces at least one disease symptom .
In certain embodiments, the reduction in symptoms reduces the SLEDAI or BILAG

score. In certain embodiments, the SLEDAI score is reduced by at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, or more points.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

[0055] FIG. 1 is a graph showing mean sifalimumab concentrations over 14 IV
infusion doses. Sifalimumab was administered at 0.3 mg/kg (.), 1.0 mg/kg (=), 3.0 mg/kg (v) and 10 mg/kg (A) doses. Error bars show the standard deviation.

[0056] FIG. 2A is a graph showing frequency of anti-sifalimumab antibody titer in a group administered 0.3 mg/kg IV infusion doses.

[0057] FIG. 2B is a graph showing frequency of anti-sifalimumab antibody titer in a group administered 1.0 mg/kg IV infusion doses.

[0058] FIG. 2C is a graph showing frequency of anti-sifalimumab antibody titer in a group administered 3.0 mg/kg IV infusion doses.

[0059] FIG. 2D is a graph showing frequency of anti-sifalimumab antibody titer in a group administered 10 mg/kg IV infusion doses.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a graph showing steady state clearance of sifalimumab by titer of anti-sifalimumab antibodies (IM titer). Sifalimumab was administered at 0.3 mg/kg (.), 1.0 mg/kg (.),3.0 mg/kg (v) and 10 mg/kg (A) IV infusion doses.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a graph showing steady state clearance of sifalimumab by IM
status of patients receiving 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10 mg/kg doses of sifalimumab.
IM+
and IM- patients are patients testing positive or negative for the presence of anti-sifalimumab antibodies, respectively.

[0062] FIG. 5 summarizes the final model goodness-of-fit plots for sifalimumab serum concentrations. The thin solid line (diagonal and horizontal) and thick line represent line of unity and loess fit, respectively. Panel (a) shows population predictions versus observed serum concentrations, panel (b) shows individual predictions versus observed serum concentrations, panel (c) shows population predictions versus weighted residuals, and panel (d) shows time versus weighted residuals.

[0063] FIG. 6 provides graphs depicting a visual predictive check for sifalimumab serum concentrations. Panels shows the time versus serum concentration graphs corresponding to 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10 mg/kg doses, respectively. Observed median (solid line) and corresponding simulation based 95% confidence interval (light area between shaded areas) and the 5% and 95% data percentiles (dashed lines) and corresponding simulations based 95% Cl (shaded area) are shown.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the similarity of predicted PK profiles (median, 5th and 95th percentiles) following fixed (200 mg every 14 days) and body weight based (3 mg/kg every 14 days) IV dosing of sifalimumab.

[0065] FIG. 8 is a graph showing predicted serum concentrations following 200, 600, and 1200 mg monthly IV dosing of sifalimumab (with single loading dose at day 14).

[0066] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the mean concentration of sifalimumab over days. Sifalimumab was administered in a single subcutaneous dose (.), weekly (=), bi-weekly (A) or monthly (=).

[0067] FIG. 10 is a graph showing sifalimumab clearance by immunogenicity titer in IM-' and IM- patients. Sifalimumab was administered in a single subcutaneous dose (.),weekly (A), bi-weekly (v) or monthly (*).

[0068] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the inhibition of the type 1 IFN
pharmacodynamic gene signature by sifalimumab. Sifalimumab was administered in a single 100 mg subcutaneous dose once, once a week, bi-weekly, or monthly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "a" (or "an"), as well as the terms "one or more," and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein.

[0070] Furthermore, "and/or" where used herein is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. Thus, the term "and/or" as used in a phrase such as "A and/or B" herein is intended to include "A and B," "A or B," "A" (alone), and "B" (alone).
Likewise, the term "and/or" as used in a phrase such as "A, B, and/or C" is intended to encompass each of the following embodiments: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C;
A
or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).

[0071] It is understood that wherever embodiments are described herein with the language "comprising," otherwise analogous embodiments described in terms of "consisting of' and/or "consisting essentially of' are also provided.

[0072] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is related. For example, the Concise Dictionary of Biomedicine and Molecular Biology, Juo, Pei-Show, 2nd ed., 2002, CRC Press;
The Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology, 3rd ed., 1999, Academic Press;
and the Oxford Dictionary Of Biochemistry And Molecular Biology, Revised, 2000, Oxford University Press, provide one of skill with a general dictionary of many of the terms used in this disclosure.

[0073] Units, prefixes, and symbols are denoted in their Systeme International de Unites (SI) accepted form. Numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range. Unless otherwise indicated, amino acid sequences are written left to right in amino to carboxy orientation. The headings provided herein are not limitations of the various aspects or embodiments of the disclosure, which can be had by reference to the specification as a whole. Accordingly, the terms defined immediately below are more fully defined by reference to the specification in its entirety. Amino acids are referred to herein by either their commonly known three letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUB
Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Nucleotides, likewise, are referred to by their commonly accepted single-letter codes.

[0074] As used herein, the term "autoimmune disease" refers to a disorder, disease state or condition associated with the formation of autoantibodies reactive with the patient's own cells to form antigen-antibody complexes. The term "autoimmune disease" includes conditions such as, e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as those disorders which are triggered by a specific external agent, e.g., acute rheumatic fever. Examples of autoimmune disorders include, but are not limited to, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune hepatitis, Berger's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn's disease, dermatomyositis, fibromyalgia, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, lichen planus, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and vitiligo. In specific embodiments, the autoimmune disease is systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or myositis.

[0075] As used herein, the term "antibody" is used in its broadest sense and includes monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, multivalent antibodies, multispecific antibodies, chimeric antibodies, and humanized antibodies. The term "antibody" as referred to herein includes whole antibodies. An "antibody"

refers to a glycoprotein comprising at least two heavy (H) chains and two light (L) chains inter-connected by disulfide bonds, or an antigen binding portion thereof.
Each heavy chain is comprised of a heavy chain variable region (abbreviated herein as VH) and a heavy chain constant region. The heavy chain constant region is comprised of three domains, CHI, CH2 and CH3. Each light chain is comprised of a light chain variable region (abbreviated herein as VL) and a light chain constant region. The light chain constant region is comprised of one domain, CL. The VH and VL regions can be further subdivided into regions of hypervariability, termed complementarity determining regions (CDR), interspersed with regions that are more conserved, termed framework regions (FR). Each VH and VL is composed of three CDRs and four FRs, arranged from amino-terminus to carboxy-terminus in the following order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, FR4. The variable regions of the heavy and light chains contain a binding domain that interacts with an antigen. The constant regions of the antibodies can mediate the binding of the immunoglobulin to host tissues or factors, including various cells of the immune system (e.g., effector cells) and the first component (C1q) of the classical complement system.

[0076] The terms "fragment thereof," "antigen-binding fragment" and "antigen-binding portion" of an antibody (or simply "antibody portion") are used interchangeably herein, and refer to one or more fragments of an antibody that retain the ability to specifically bind to an antigen (e.g., IFN-alpha). It has been shown that the antigen-binding function of an antibody can be performed by fragments of a full-length antibody. Examples of binding fragments encompassed within the term "antigen-binding portion" of an antibody include (i) a Fab fragment, a monovalent fragment consisting of the VL, VH, CL and CHI domains;
(ii) a F(ab1)2 fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; (iii) a Fd fragment consisting of the VH
and CHI domains; (iv) a Fv fragment consisting of the VL and VH domains of a single arm of an antibody, (v) a dAb fragment (Ward et al., (1989) Nature 341:544-546), which consists of a VH domain; and (vi) an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR). Furthermore, although the two domains of the Fv fragment, VL and VH, are coded for by separate genes, they can be joined, using recombinant methods, by a synthetic linker that enables them to be made as a single protein chain in which the VL and VH regions pair to form monovalent molecules (known as single chain Fv (scFv); see e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426; and Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci.
USA 85:5879-5883). Such single chain antibodies are also intended to be encompassed within the term "antigen-binding portion" of an antibody. These antibody fragments are obtained using conventional techniques known to those with skill in the art, and the fragments are screened for utility in the same manner as are intact antibodies.

[0077] An "isolated antibody", as used herein, is intended to refer to an antibody that is substantially free of other antibodies having different antigenic specificities (e.g., an isolated antibody that specifically binds IFN-alpha is substantially free of antibodies that specifically bind antigens other than IFN-alpha). An isolated antibody that specifically binds IFN-alpha can, however, have cross-reactivity to other antigens, such as IFN-alpha molecules from other species. Moreover, an isolated antibody can be substantially free of other cellular material and/or chemicals.

[0078] The terms "monoclonal antibody" or "monoclonal antibody composition"
as used herein refer to a preparation of antibody molecules of single molecular composition. A monoclonal antibody composition displays a single binding specificity and affinity for a particular epitope.

[0079] The term "human antibody", as used herein, is intended to include antibodies having variable regions in which both the framework and CDR regions are derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences. Furthermore, if the antibody contains a constant region, the constant region also is derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences. The human antibodies of the disclosure can include amino acid residues not encoded by human germline immunoglobulin sequences (e.g., mutations introduced by random or site-specific mutagenesis in vitro or by somatic mutation in vivo). However, the term "human antibody", as used herein, is not intended to include antibodies in which CDR
sequences derived from the germline of another mammalian species, such as a mouse, have been grafted onto human framework sequences.

[0080] The term "human monoclonal antibody" refers to antibodies displaying a single binding specificity which have variable regions in which both the framework and CDR regions are derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences.
In one embodiment, the human monoclonal antibodies are produced by a hybridoma which includes a B cell obtained from a transgenic nonhuman animal, e.g., a transgenic mouse, having a genome comprising a human heavy chain transgene and a light chain transgene fused to an immortalized cell.

[0081] The term "recombinant human antibody", as used herein, includes all human antibodies that are prepared, expressed, created or isolated by recombinant means, such as (a) antibodies isolated from an animal (e.g., a mouse) that is transgenic or transchromosomal for human immunoglobulin genes or a hybridoma prepared therefrom (described further below), (b) antibodies isolated from a host cell transformed to express the human antibody, e.g., from a transfectoma, (c) antibodies isolated from a recombinant, combinatorial human antibody library, and (d) antibodies prepared, expressed, created or isolated by any other means that involve splicing of human immunoglobulin gene sequences to other DNA sequences. Such recombinant human antibodies have variable regions in which the framework and CDR regions are derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences. In certain embodiments, however, such recombinant human antibodies can be subjected to in vitro mutagenesis (or, when an animal transgenic for human Ig sequences is used, in vivo somatic mutagenesis) and thus the amino acid sequences of the VH and VL regions of the recombinant antibodies are sequences that, while derived from and related to human germline VH and VL sequences, may not naturally exist within the human antibody germline repertoire in vivo.

[0082] As used herein, "isotype" refers to the antibody class (e.g., IgM or IgG1) that is encoded by the heavy chain constant region genes.

[0083] The antibodies herein specifically include "chimeric" antibodies in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibody class or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from another species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567; and Morrison et al, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 8/:6851-6855 (1984)).

[0084] Basic antibody structures in vertebrate systems are relatively well understood. See, e.g., Harlow et al. (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (2nd ed.; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press).

[0085] In the case where there are two or more definitions of a term that is used and/or accepted within the art, the definition of the term as used herein is intended to include all such meanings unless explicitly stated to the contrary. A
specific example is the use of the term "complementarity determining region"
("CDR") to describe the non-contiguous antigen combining sites found within the variable region of both heavy and light chain polypeptides. This particular region has been described by Kabat et al. (1983) U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, "Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest" and by Chothia and Lesk, J. Mol. Biol. /96:901-917 (1987), which are incorporated herein by reference, where the definitions include overlapping or subsets of amino acid residues when compared against each other. Nevertheless, application of either definition to refer to a CDR of an antibody or variants thereof is intended to be within the scope of the term as defined and used herein. The appropriate amino acid residues that encompass the CDRs as defined by each of the above cited references are set forth below in TABLE 1 as a comparison. The exact residue numbers that encompass a particular CDR will vary depending on the sequence and size of the CDR. Those skilled in the art can routinely determine which residues comprise a particular CDR given the variable region amino acid sequence of the antibody.

CDR Definition&
Kabat Chothia 'Numbering of all CDR definitions in Table 1 is according to the numbering conventions set forth by Kabat et al. (see below).

[0086] Kabat et al. also defined a numbering system for variable domain sequences that is applicable to any antibody. One of ordinary skill in the art can unambiguously assign this system of "Kabat numbering" to any variable domain sequence, without reliance on any experimental data beyond the sequence itself.
As used herein, "Kabat numbering" refers to the numbering system set forth by Kabat et al. (1983) U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, "Sequence of Proteins of Immunological Interest." Unless otherwise specified, references to the numbering of specific amino acid residue positions in an anti-IL-33 antibody or antigen-binding fragment, variant, or derivative thereof of the present disclosure are according to the Kabat numbering system.

[0087] Antibodies or antigen-binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof of the disclosure include, but are not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, multispecific, mouse, human, humanized, primatized, or chimeric antibodies, single-chain antibodies, epitope-binding fragments, e.g., Fab, Fab' and F(abl)2, Fd, Fvs, single-chain Fvs (scFv), disulfide-linked Fvs (sdFv), fragments comprising either a VL or VH domain, fragments produced by a Fab expression library, and anti-idiotypic (anti-ld) antibodies (including, e.g., anti-ld antibodies to anti-IL-33 antibodies disclosed herein). ScFv molecules are known in the art and are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,019.

[0088] As used herein, the term "affinity" refers to a measure of the strength of the binding of an individual epitope with the CDR of an immunoglobulin molecule.

See, e.g., Harlow et al. (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2nd ed.) pages 27-28.

[0089] As used herein, "specific binding" refers to antibody binding to a predetermined antigen. Typically, the antibody binds with a dissociation constant (KD) of 10-8 M or less, and binds to the predetermined antigen with a KD that is at least two-fold less than its KD for binding to a non-specific antigen (e.g., BSA, casein) other than the predetermined antigen or a closely-related antigen. The phrases "an antibody recognizing an antigen" and "an antibody specific for an antigen" are used interchangeably herein with the term "an antibody which binds specifically to an antigen".

[0090] The term uKassocu or "Ka", as used herein, is intended to refer to the association rate of a particular antibody-antigen interaction, whereas the term "Kd,s" or "Kd," as used herein, is intended to refer to the dissociation rate of a particular antibody-antigen interaction. The term " KD", as used herein, is intended to refer to the dissociation constant, which is obtained from the ratio of Kd to Ka and is expressed as a molar concentration (M). KD values for antibodies can be determined using methods well established in the art. One method for determining the KD of an antibody is by using surface plasmon resonance, e.g., by using a biosensor system such as a Biacore® system.

[0091] As used herein, the term "high affinity" for an IgG antibody refers to an antibody having a KD of 10-8 M or less, 10-9 M or less, or 10-19 M or less.
However, "high affinity" binding can vary for other antibody isotypes. For example, "high affinity" binding for an IgM isotype refers to an antibody having a KD of 10-7 M or less, or 10-8 M or less.

[0092] Anti-IFN-alpha binding molecules, e.g., antibodies or antigen-binding fragments, variants or derivatives thereof of the disclosure can also be described or specified in terms of their binding affinity to a polypeptide of the disclosure, e.g., IFN- alpha, e.g., human, primate, murine, or any combination of human, primate and murine IFN-alpha. Exemplary binding affinities include those with a dissociation constant or KD less than 5 x 10-2 M, 10-2 M, 5 x 10-3 M, 10-3 M, 5 x 10-4 M, 10-4 M, 5 x 10-5 M, 10-5 M, 5 x 10-6 M, 10-6 M, 5 x 10-7 M, 10-7 M, 5 x 10-8 M, 10-8 M, 5 x 10-9 M, 10-9 M, 5 x 10-19 M, 10-19 M, 5 x 10-11 M, 10-11 M, 5 x 10-12 M, 10-12 M, 5 x 10-13 M, 10-13 M, 5 x 10-14 M, 10-14 M, 5 x 10-15 M, or 10-15 M.

[0093] As used herein, the terms "treat" or "treatment" refer to both therapeutic treatment and prophylactic or preventative measures, wherein the object is to prevent or slow down (lessen) an undesired physiological change or disorder, such as the progression of an inflammatory condition. Beneficial or desired clinical results include, but are not limited to, alleviation of symptoms, diminishment of extent of disease, stabilized (i.e., not worsening) state of disease, delay or slowing of disease progression, amelioration or palliation of the disease state, and remission (whether partial or total), whether detectable or undetectable. "Treatment" can also mean prolonging survival as compared to expected survival if not receiving treatment. Those in need of treatment include those already with the condition or disorder as well as those prone to have the condition or disorder or those in which the condition or disorder is to be prevented.

[0094] The terms "effective amount" or "amount effective to" or "therapeutically effective amount" includes reference to a dosage of a therapeutic agent sufficient to produce a desired result.

[0095] By "subject" or "individual" or "animal" or "patient" or "mammal,"
is meant any subject, particularly a mammalian subject, for whom diagnosis, prognosis, or therapy is desired. As used herein, the term "subject" includes any human or nonhuman animal. The term "nonhuman animal" includes all vertebrates, e.g., mammals and non-mammals, such as nonhuman primates, sheep, dogs, cats, horses, cows, bears, chickens, amphibians, reptiles, etc. As used herein, phrases such as "a subject that would benefit from administration of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody" includes subjects, such as mammalian subjects, that would benefit from administration of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody used, e.g., for detection of an anti-IFN-alpha polypeptide (e.g., for a diagnostic procedure) and/or from treatment, i.e., palliation or prevention of a disease, with an anti-IFN-alpha antibody.

Interferon Alpha [0096] The terms "interferon alpha" and "IFN-alpha" are used interchangeably and intended to refer to IFN-alpha proteins encoded by a functional gene of the interferon alpha gene locus with 75% or greater sequence identity to IFN-alpha (Genbank number NP-076918 or protein encoded by Genbank number NM-024013). Examples of IFN-alpha subtypes include IFN-alpha 1, alpha 2a, alpha 2b, alpha 4, alpha 5, alpha 6, alpha 7, alpha 8, alpha 10, alpha 13, alpha 14, alpha 16, alpha 17 and alpha 21. The term "interferon alpha" is intended to encompass recombinant forms of the various IFN-alpha subtypes, as well as naturally occurring preparations that comprise IFN-alpha proteins, such as leukocyte IFN and lymphoblastoid IFN.
Interferon Alpha Antibodies [0097] The present disclosure is directed to methods of treating an autoimmune disorder in a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject an anti-IFN-alpha antibody. Anti-IFN-alpha antibodies can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,741,449, and can further include chimeric, humanized, or human versions of these antibodies (if not already a chimeric, humanized, or human version), and can further include fragments or derivatives thereof.
SLE

[0098] Patients suffering from SLE may exhibit any of a number of symptoms as discussed in, e.g., International Application No. PCT/US2007/024941, or may have a clinical SLEDAI score or BILAG score as discussed in the same. These symptoms may include fatigue, organ damage, malar rash, and alopecia. The patient may be scored using a known clinical scoring system, e.g., SLEDAI
which is an index of SLE disease activity as measured and evaluated within the last days (Bombardier C, Gladman D D, Urowitz M B, Caron D, Chang C H and the Committee on Prognosis Studies in SLE: Derivation of the SLEDAI for Lupus Patients. Arthritis Rheum 35:630-640, 1992.). Disease activity under the SLEDAI
scoring system can range from 0 to 105. The following categories of SLEDAI
activity have been defined: no activity (SLEDAI = 0); mild activity (SLEDAI =

5); moderate activity (SLEDAI = 6-10); high activity (SLEDAI = 11-19); very high activity (SLEDAI = 20 or higher). (Griffiths, et al., Assessment of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and the use of Lupus Disease Activity Indices).

[0099] Another disease scoring index is the BILAG index which is an activity index of SLE that is based on specific clinical manifestations in eight organ systems: general, mucocutaneous, neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and hematology results. Scoring is based on a letter system, but weighted numerical scores can also be assigned to each letter, making it possible to calculate a BILAG score in the range of 0-72. (Griffiths, et al., Assessment of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and the use of Lupus Disease Activity Indices). Other scoring indices include the PGA score, the composite responder index (CRI), and the ANAM4Tm test. The methods described herein, e.g., of treating an autoimmune disorder, may be used for any subject identified as having any activity level of disease activity as measured by any classification methodology known in the art, e.g., mild, moderate, high, or very high. The methods described herein, e.g., of treating an autoimmune disorder, may result in a decrease in a patient's symptoms or may result in an improvement in a score of disease for the patient's type I IFN or an IFN-alpha-inducible disease, disorder, or condition.
Monoclonal Antibodies 13H5, 13H7 and 7H9 [0100] In certain embodiments, antibodies for use in the treatment methods of the disclosure include the human monoclonal antibodies 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9, isolated and structurally characterized as described in the U.S. Patent No.
7,741,449. The VH amino acid sequences of 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 19, 20, and 21, respectively. The VL amino acid sequences of 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 22, 23 and 24, respectively.
Given that each of these antibodies can bind to IFN-alpha, the VH and VL
sequences can be "mixed and matched" to create other anti-IFN-alpha binding molecules of the disclosure. IFN-alpha binding or neutralizing activity of such "mixed and matched" antibodies can be tested using the binding assays described above and in the Examples (e.g., ELISA, Biacore analysis, Daudi cell proliferation assay). In certain embodiments, the VH sequences of 13H5 and 7H9 are mixed and matched, since these antibodies use VH sequences derived from the same germline sequence (VH 1-18) and thus they exhibit structural similarity.
Additionally or alternatively, the VL sequences of 13H5, 13H7 and 7H9 can be mixed and matched, since these antibodies use VL sequences derived from the same germline sequence (Vk A27) and thus they exhibit structural similarity.

[0101] Accordingly, in one aspect, an antibody for use in the methods of the disclosure is an isolated monoclonal antibody, or antigen binding portion thereof, comprising:
(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs: 19, 20, and 21; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs: 22, 23, and 24;
wherein the antibody inhibits the biological activity of interferon alpha.

[0102] In certain embodiments, heavy and light chain combinations include:
(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID

NO: 19; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:22; or (a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID

NO: 20; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:23; or (a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID

NO: 21; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID

NO:24.

[0103] In another aspect, the treatment methods of the present disclosure comprise the administration of antibodies that comprise the heavy chain and light chain CDR1s, CDR2s, and CDR3s of 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9, or combinations thereof. The amino acid sequences of the VH CDR1s of 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, and 3. The amino acid sequences of the VH
CDR2s of 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9 are shown in SEQ IN NOs: 4, 5, and 6. The amino acid sequences of the VH CDR3s of 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9 are shown in SEQ IN NOs: 7, 8, and 9. The amino acid sequences of the VL CDR1s of 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9 are shown in SEQ IN NOs: 10, 11, and 12. The amino acid sequences of the VL CDR2s of 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9 are shown in SEQ IN NOs:
13, 14, and 15. The amino acid sequences of the VL CDR3s of 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9 are shown in SEQ IN NOs: 16, 17, and 18. The CDR regions are delineated using the Kabat system (Kabat. E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242).

[0104] Given that each of these antibodies was selected based on IFN
binding activity and that antigen-binding specificity is provided primarily by the CDR1, 2 and 3 regions, the VH CDR1, 2 and 3 sequences and VL CDR1, 2 and 3 sequences can be "mixed and matched" (i.e., CDRs from different antibodies can be mixed and match, although each antibody must contain a VH CDR1, 2 and 3 and a VL CDR1, 2 and 3) to create other anti-IFN-alpha molecules of the disclosure. IFN-alpha binding of such "mixed and matched" antibodies can be tested using the binding assays described in the Examples (e.g., ELISA and/or Biacore). In certain embodiments, when VH CDR sequences are mixed and matched, the CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3 sequence from a particular VH
sequence is replaced with a structurally similar CDR sequence(s). Likewise, when VL CDR sequences are mixed and matched, the CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3 sequence from a particular VL sequence can be replaced with a structurally similar CDR sequence(s). For example, the VH CDR1s of 13H5 and 7H9 share some structural similarity and therefore are amenable to mixing and matching. It will be readily apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan that novel VH
and VL sequences can be created by substituting one or more VH and/or VL
CDR region sequences with structurally similar sequences from the CDR
sequences disclosed herein for monoclonal antibodies 13H5, 13H7 and 7H9.

[0105] Accordingly, in another aspect, the methods of the present disclosure provide for administration of an isolated monoclonal antibody, or antigen binding portion thereof comprising:
(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, and 3;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs: 4, 5, and 6;
(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs: 7, 8, and 9;
(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs: 10, 11, and 12;
(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs: 13, 14, and 15; and (f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs: 16, 17, and 18;
wherein the antibody the antibody inhibits the biological activity of interferon alpha.

[0106] In one embodiment, the antibody comprises:
(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 1;
(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 4;
(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 7;
(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 10;
(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 13; and (f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 16.

[0107] In another embodiment, the antibody comprises:
(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 2;
(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 5;
(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 8;
(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 11;
(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 14; and (f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 17.

[0108] In another embodiment, the antibody comprises:
(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 3;
(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 6;
(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 9;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 12;
(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 15; and (f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 18.
Antibodies Having Particular Germline Sequences [0109] In certain embodiments, an antibody to be administered according to the methods of the disclosure comprises a heavy chain variable region from a particular germline heavy chain immunoglobulin gene and/or a light chain variable region from a particular germline light chain immunoglobulin gene.

[0110] For example, in one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of treating an autoimmune disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an isolated monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, where the antibody:
(a) comprises a heavy chain variable region of a human VH 1-18 or 4-61 gene;
(b) comprises a light chain variable region of a human VK A27 gene; and (c) the antibody inhibits the biological activity of interferon alpha.

[0111] In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region of a human VH 1-18 gene. Examples of antibodies having a VH and VK gene sequence of VH 1-18 and VK A27, respectively, include 13H5 and 7H9. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region of a human VH 4-61 gene. An example of an antibody having a VH and VK gene sequence of VH 4-61 and VK A27, respectively, is 13H7.

[0112] As used herein, a human antibody comprises heavy or light chain variable regions "of' (i.e., the products of) or "derived from" a particular germline sequence if the variable regions of the antibody are obtained from a system that uses human germline immunoglobulin genes. Such systems include immunizing a transgenic mouse carrying human immunoglobulin genes with the antigen of interest or screening a human immunoglobulin gene library displayed on phage with the antigen of interest. A human antibody that is "of' (i.e., the product of) or "derived from" a human germline immunoglobulin sequence can be identified as such by comparing the amino acid sequence of the human antibody to the amino acid sequences of human germline immunoglobulins and selecting the human germline immunoglobulin sequence that is closest in sequence (i.e., greatest %

identity) to the sequence of the human antibody. A human antibody that is "of' (i.e., the product of) or "derived from" a particular human germline immunoglobulin sequence can contain amino acid differences as compared to the germline sequence, due to, for example, naturally-occurring somatic mutations or intentional introduction of site-directed mutation. However, a selected human antibody typically is at least 90% identical in amino acids sequence to an amino acid sequence encoded by a human germline immunoglobulin gene and contains amino acid residues that identify the human antibody as being human when compared to the germline immunoglobulin amino acid sequences of other species (e.g., murine germline sequences). In certain cases, a human antibody can be at least 95%, or even at least 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical in amino acid sequence to the amino acid sequence encoded by the germline immunoglobulin gene. Typically, a human antibody derived from a particular human germline sequence will display no more than 10 amino acid differences from the amino acid sequence encoded by the human germline immunoglobulin gene. In certain cases, the human antibody can display no more than 5, or even no more than 4, 3, 2, or 1 amino acid difference from the amino acid sequence encoded by the germline immunoglobulin gene.

[0113] In yet another embodiment, an antibody for use in the treatment methods of the disclosure comprises heavy and light chain variable regions comprising amino acid sequences that share amino acid similarity with or are homologous to the amino acid sequences of the antibodies described herein, where the antibodies retain the desired functional properties of the anti-IFN-alpha antibodies of the disclosure.

[0114] For example, the disclosure provides a method of treating an autoimmune disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an isolated monoclonal antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprising a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, wherein:
(a) the heavy chain variable region comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% homologous to an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs:
19, 20, and 21;

(b) the light chain variable region comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% homologous to an amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOs:
22, 23, and 24;
(c) the antibody inhibits the biological activity of multiple IFN-alpha subtypes but does not substantially inhibit the biological activity of IFN-alpha 21; and (d) the antibody exhibits at least one of the following properties: (i) the antibody does directly inhibit the biological activity of IFN-beta or IFN-omega, but may indirectly inhibit the biological activity of IFN-beta or IFN-omega by interfering with interferon receptor function; (ii) the antibody inhibits IFN-induced surface expression of CD38 or MHC Class I on peripheral blood mononuclear cells;
(iii) the antibody inhibits IFN-induced expression of IP-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells; (iv) the antibody inhibits dendritic cell development mediated by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) plasma.

[0115] In other embodiments, the VH and/or VL amino acid sequences can be 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% homologous to the sequences set forth above. An antibody having VH and VL regions having high (i.e., 80% or greater) homology to the VH and VL regions of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 20, and 21 and 22, 23, and 24, respectively, can be obtained by mutagenesis (e.g., site-directed or PCR-mediated mutagenesis) of nucleic acid molecules encoding SEQ ID NOs: 19, 20, and 21 and/or 22, 23, and 24, followed by testing of the encoded altered antibody for retained function (i.e., the functions set forth in (c) and (d) above) using the functional assays described herein.

[0116] As used herein, the percent homology or percent similarity between two amino acid sequences is equivalent to the percent identity between the two sequences. The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences (i.e., % homology =
number of identical positions/total number of positions×100), taking into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which need to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The comparison of sequences and determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm, as described in the non-limiting examples below.

[0117] The percent identity between two amino acid sequences can be determined using the algorithm of E. Meyers and W. Miller (Comput. Appl.
Biosci., 4:11-17 (1988)) which has been incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0), using a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12 and a gap penalty of 4. In addition, the percent identity between two amino acid sequences can be determined using the Needleman and Wunsch (J. Mol. Biol.
48:444-453 (1970)) algorithm which has been incorporated into the GAP program in the GCG software package (available at http://www.gcg.com), using either a BLOSSUM62 matrix or a PAM250 matrix, and a gap weight of 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, or 4 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.

[0118] Additionally or alternatively, the protein sequences of the present disclosure can further be used as a "query sequence" to perform a search against public databases to, for example, identify related sequences. Such searches can be performed using the XBLAST program (version 2.0) of Altschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-10. BLAST protein searches can be performed with the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to the antibody molecules of the disclosure. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25(17):3389-3402. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Antibodies with Conservative Modifications [0119] In certain embodiments, an antibody for use in the methods of the present disclosure comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences and a light chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences, wherein one or more of these CDR sequences comprise specified amino acid sequences based on antibodies described herein (e.g., 13H5, 13H7, or 7H9), or conservative modifications thereof, and wherein the antibodies retain the desired functional properties of the anti-IFN-alpha antibodies of the disclosure. For example, certain antibodies of the disclosure include those in which the heavy chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or conservative modifications thereof, and the light chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, or conservative modifications thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure provides a method for treating an autoimmune disorder in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an isolated monoclonal antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 sequences and a light chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 sequences, wherein:
(a) the heavy chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises the amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NO: 7, 8, and 9, and conservative modifications thereof;
(b) the light chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises the amino acid sequence chosen from SEQ ID NO: 16, 17, and 18, and conservative modifications thereof;
(c) the antibody inhibits the biological activity of multiple IFN-alpha subtypes but does not substantially inhibit the biological activity of IFN-alpha 21;
(d) the antibody exhibits at least one of the following properties: (i) the antibody does not directly inhibit the biological activity of IFN-beta or IFN-omega, but may indirectly inhibit the biological activity of IFN-beta or IFN-omega by interfering with interferon receptor function; (ii) the antibody inhibits IFN-induced surface expression of CD38 or MHC Class I on peripheral blood mononuclear cells; (iii) the antibody inhibits IFN-induced expression of IP-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells; (iv) the antibody inhibits dendritic cell development mediated by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) plasma.

[0120] In a further embodiment, the heavy chain variable region CDR2 sequence comprises the amino acid sequence chosen from amino acid sequences of SEQ
ID NO: 4, 5, and 6, and conservative modifications thereof; and the light chain variable region CDR2 sequence comprises the amino acid sequence chosen from amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO: 13, 14, and 15, and conservative modifications thereof. In a still further embodiment, the heavy chain variable region CDR1 sequence comprises the amino acid sequence chosen from amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, and 3, and conservative modifications thereof; and the light chain variable region CDR1 sequence comprises the amino acid sequence chosen from amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 10, 11, and 12, and conservative modifications thereof.

[0121] As used herein, the term "conservative sequence modifications" is intended to refer to amino acid modifications that do not significantly affect or alter the binding characteristics of the antibody containing the amino acid sequence. Such conservative modifications include amino acid substitutions, additions and deletions. Modifications can be introduced into an antibody of the disclosure by standard techniques known in the art, such as site-directed mutagenesis and PCR-mediated mutagenesis. Conservative amino acid substitutions are ones in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine, tryptophan), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine). Thus, one or more amino acid residues within the CDR regions of an antibody of the disclosure can be replaced with other amino acid residues from the same side chain family and the altered antibody can be tested for retained function (i.e., the functions set forth in (c) and (d) above) using the functional assays described herein.
Antibodies that Bind to the Same Epitope as Anti-IFN-alpha Antibodies of the Disclosure [0122] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of treating an autoimmune disorder in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an antibody that binds to the same epitope as do the various human IFN-alpha antibodies as described herein, such as other human antibodies that bind to the same epitope as the 13H5, 13H7, and 7H9 antibodies. The term "epitope" as used herein refers to a protein determinant capable of binding to an antibody of the disclosure. Epitopes usually consist of chemically active surface groupings of molecules such as amino acids or sugar side chains and usually have specific three dimensional structural characteristics, as well as specific charge characteristics. Conformational and non-conformational epitopes are distinguished in that the binding to the former but not the latter is lost in the presence of denaturing solvents. Such antibodies can be identified based on their ability to cross-compete (e.g., to competitively inhibit the binding of, in a statistically significant manner) with antibodies such as 13H5, 13H7 or 7H9, in standard IFN-alpha binding assays. For example, as demonstrated in the Examples of U.S. Patent No. 7,741,449, by Biacore analysis, 13H5 binds with high affinity to IFN-alpha 2a and IFN-alpha 2b. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the disclosure provides antibodies, such as human antibodies, that compete for binding to IFN-alpha 2a or IFN-alpha 2b with another antibody, such as13H5, 13H7 or 7H9. The ability of a test antibody to inhibit the binding of, e.g., 13H5, 13H7 or 7H9 to IFN-alpha 2a or IFN-alpha 2b demonstrates that the test antibody can compete with that antibody for binding to IFN-alpha 2a or IFN-alpha 2b;
such an antibody can, according to non-limiting theory, bind to the same or a related (e.g., a structurally similar or spatially proximal) epitope on IFN-alpha 2a or IFN-alpha 2b as the antibody with which it competes. In one embodiment, the antibody that binds to the same epitope on IFN-alpha 2a or IFN-alpha 2b as, e.g., 13H5, 13H7, or 7H9, is a human monoclonal antibody. Such human monoclonal antibodies can be used in the methods disclosed herein.

[0123] In one embodiment, the IFN-alpha antibody antagonist is sifalimumab.
Sifalimumab is a fully human, 147,000 Dalton IgGlk monoclonal antibody (Mab) that selectively binds to multiple interferon-alpha subtypes. Sifalimumab is made from 100% human protein sequences, thereby making it a fully human monoclonal antibody. Fully human monoclonal antibodies have advantages over other forms of monoclonal antibodies, such as chimeric and humanized antibodies, as they have a more favorable safety profile and can be eliminated less rapidly from the human body, thereby reducing the frequency of dosing.
Sifalimumab was derived from the IgG4k antibody, 13H5 described above and in U.S. Patent No. 7,741,449, which was selected based on functional assays as having the most desirable properties for a potential therapeutic agent. 13H5 was subsequently converted to an IgGI antibody isotype, produced in CHO cells. See U.S. Patent No. 7,741,449, U.S. Patent Pub. Nos. 2010-0143372 and 2010-0266610, and PCT Pub. Nos. W02008/070135, W02009/061818, W02008/137838, W02008/070137, W02008/137835, W02009/155559, W02008/121616, and W02008/121615, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0124] The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variable region of 13H5 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 25 and 19, respectively.

[0125] The VH CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 amino acid sequences of 13H5 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1, 4, and 7, respectively.

[0126] The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chain variable region of 13H5 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 28 and 22, respectively.

[0127] The VL CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 amino acid sequences of 13H5 are shown SEQ ID NOs: 10, 13, and 16, respectively.
Treatment and Dosing using Anti-IFN-alpha Antibodies [0128] The disclosure includes methods of dosing to achieve a desired PK
characteristic. In a specific embodiment, the dose is chosen to achieve a desired characteristic chosen from Tmax (time of maximum observed concentration), Tmax ss (time of maximum observed concentration at steady state), Cmax (maximum observed concentration), Cmax ss (maximum observed concentration at steady state), AUCT, (area under the curve over the dosing interval), AUCT
ss (area under the curve over the dosing interval at steady state), Ctrough (trough observed concentration), Ctrough ss (trough observed concentration at steady state), half-life (terminal elimination half-life, defined as In(2)/lambda z), CLss (serum steady state clearance, defined as Dose/AUCT ss), Vss (steady state volume of distribution), AUClast (area under the curve from time 0 to last observed concentration, i.e., Clast), AUCinf (area under the curve from 0 to infinity, defined as (AUClast+Clast)/lambda z), AUCinf extrapolated (percent of the AUCinf curve extrapolated, defined as ((Clast/lambdaz)/AUCinf)*100), CL
(apparent total body clearance of the drug from plasma), CL/F (apparent serum clearance), Vz/F (apparent terminal volume of distribution), CLss/F (apparent serum steady state clearance), Vc (central volume), Vp (peripheral volume) or Lambda z (slope of the terminal elimination phase).

[0129] In a specific embodiment, the methods of dosing produce a PK
parameter of at least one of the values for the PK characteristics shown in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8-11. The values of such desired PK characteristics are understood to encompass the CV% as shown in the tables. In a specific embodiment, the methods of the disclosure produce a value chosen from the PK characteristics shown in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8-11 and neutralization of a the 21-gene or 4-gene PD marker discussed herein. In a specific embodiment, the methods of the disclosure produce a value chosen from the PK characteristics shown in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8-11, a neutralization of a the 21-gene or 4-gene PD marker discussed herein, and a reduction in symptoms of SLE, such as a reduction in SLEDAI score.

[0130] The term "dosage form" refers to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), e.g., an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab, the composition optionally containing pharmacologically inactive ingredients, i.e., pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, fillers, excipients or combinations thereof such as polymers, suspending agents, surfactants, disintegrants, dissolution modulating components, binders, fillers, lubricants, glidants, stabilizers, antioxidants, osmotic agents, colorants, plasticizers, coatings and the like, that are used to manufacture and deliver active pharmaceutical agents. Examples of pharmaceutical compositions comprising anti-interferon alpha antibodies can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010-0209434 Al entitled "Antibody Formulation", which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0131] An anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, e.g., sifalimumab, can be administered to a human patient in accord with known methods, such as intravenous administration, e.g., as a bolus or by continuous infusion over a period of time, by intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracerobrospinal, subcutaneous, intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrathecal, oral, topical, or inhalation routes, or a combination of two or more recited routes.

[0132] In one embodiment, a formulation comprising an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab for use in the methods of the disclosure is for parenteral administration. In one embodiment, a formulation of the disclosure comprising an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab is an injectable formulation. In one embodiment, a formulation of the disclosure comprising an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab is for intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular administration. In a specific embodiment, a formulation of the disclosure comprises an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab wherein said formulation is for subcutaneous injection.

[0133] As used herein the term "intravenous administration" refers to the introduction of a composition to a patient into a vein. An anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof can be administered intravenously (IV), e.g., as an intravenous infusion or as an intravenous bolus. The term "intravenous infusion" refers to introduction of a drug, e.g., an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab, into the vein of an animal or human patient over a period of time greater than approximately 5 minutes, for example, between approximately 30 to 90 minutes, although, according to the disclosure, intravenous infusion is alternatively administered for 10 hours or less.
In one particular embodiment, the duration of the infusion is at least 60 minutes.

[0134] The term "intravenous bolus" or "intravenous push" refers to drug administration, e.g., of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab, into a vein of an animal or human such that the body receives the drug in approximately 15 minutes or less, for example, 5 minutes or less.

[0135] The term "subcutaneous administration" refers to introduction of a drug, e.g., an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab, under the skin of an animal or human patient, for example, within a pocket between the skin and underlying tissue, by relatively slow, sustained delivery from a drug receptacle. The pocket can be created by pinching or drawing the skin up and away from underlying tissue. In some embodiments, a composition comprising an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab is introduced under the surface of the skin of the patient with a hypodermic needle.

[0136] The term "subcutaneous infusion" refers to introduction of a drug, e.g., an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab, under the skin of an animal or human patient, for example, within a pocket between the skin and underlying tissue, by relatively slow, sustained delivery from a drug receptacle for a period of time including, but not limited to, 30 minutes or less, or 90 minutes or less. Optionally, the infusion can be made by subcutaneous implantation of a drug delivery pump implanted under the skin of the animal or human patient, wherein the pump delivers a predetermined amount of drug for a predetermined period of time, such as 30 minutes, 90 minutes, or a time period spanning the length of the treatment regimen.

[0137] The term "subcutaneous bolus" refers to drug administration beneath the skin of an animal or human patient of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab, where bolus drug delivery is less than about 15 minutes, less than about 5 minutes, or less than about 60 seconds.
Administration can be within a pocket between the skin and underlying tissue, where the pocket is created, for example, by pinching or drawing the skin up and away from underlying tissue.

[0138] In one embodiment, a formulation for use in the methods of the disclosure is for aerosol administration.
Weight Based Dosage Administration [0139] In some embodiments, the dosage of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof administered to a patient is calculated, e.g., as a function of the patient body mass (weight), height, or body surface. In certain embodiments, the dosage of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof administered to a patient depends on the patient's body weight. The weight-based dose is generally provided in mg/kg.

[0140] In some embodiments, an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered at a weight-based dosage of about 0.1 mg/kg, or about 0.2 mg/kg, or about 0.3 mg/kg, or about 0.4 mg/kg, or about 0.5 mg/kg, or about 0.6 mg/kg, or about 0.7 mg/kg, or about 0.8 mg/kg, or about 0.9 mg/kg.
In other embodiments, an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment hereof is administered at a weight-based dosage of about 1 mg/kg, or about 2 mg/kg, or about 3 mg/kg, or about 4 mg/kg, or about 5 mg/kg, or about 6 mg/kg, or about 7 mg/kg, or about 8 mg/kg, or about 9 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered at a weight-based dosage of about 10 mg/kg, or 15 mg/kg, or 20 mg/kg, or about 25 mg/kg, or about 30 mg/kg, or about 35 mg/kg, or about 40 mg/kg, or about 45 mg/kg, or about 50 mg/kg, or about 55 mg/kg, or about 60 mg/kg, or about 65 mg/kg, or about 70 mg/kg, or about 75 mg/kg, or about 80 mg/kg, or about 85 mg/kg, or about 90 mg/kg, or about 95 mg/kg, or about 100 mg/kg. In specific embodiments, the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered at a weight-base dosage about 0.3 mg/kg, or about 1.0 mg/kg, or about 3.0 mg/kg, or about 10 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, the weight-based dosage is administered intravenously. In other embodiments, the weight-based dosage is administered subcutaneously. In some specific embodiments, the an anti-IFN-alpha antibody is sifalimumab.

[0141] When a series of weight-based doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab, are administered, these doses can, for example, be administered approximately every week, approximately every 2 weeks, approximately every 3, or about every 4 weeks. In some embodiments, weight-based doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are administered approximately every day, approximately every two days, approximately every three days, approximately every 4 days, approximately every 5 days, approximately every 6 days, or approximately every seven days.

[0142] In a specific embodiment, weight-based doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment are administered every 2 weeks. The weight-based doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof can be administered, for example, for about 1 month, or about 2 months, or about 3 months, or about 4 months, or about 5 months, or about 6 months.
The weight-based doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, can, for example, continue to be administered until disease progression, adverse event, or other parameter occurs as determined by the physician. In a specific embodiment, weight-based doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, are administered for about 6 months. In a more specific embodiment, weight-based doses anti-IFN-alpha antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, are administered for about 26 weeks.

[0143] In some embodiments, patients can be administered at least one, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14 or at least 15 weight-based doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab. In a specific embodiment, patients are administered at least 14 doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab. In some specific embodiments, patients can be administered at least 14 IV weight-based doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as sifalimumab.

[0144] In some embodiments, weight-based doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, are administered at equal time intervals.
In other embodiment, such weight-based doses are administered at varying intervals. In some embodiments, all administered weight-based doses as essentially identical. In other embodiments, at least one weight-based dose is different with respect to the other doses, e.g., in volume, concentration, route of administration, formulation, etc.
Fixed Dosage Administration [0145] A
"fixed dose" or "fixed dosage" of a therapeutic agent herein refers to a dose that is administered to a human patient without regard for the weight (WT) or body surface area (BSA) of the patient. The fixed dose of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, e.g., sifalimumab, is therefore not provided as a mg/kg dose or mg/m2 dose, but rather as an absolute amount of the therapeutic agent.

[0146] In some embodiments, an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered at a fixed dosage of about 10 mg, or about 20 mg, or about 30 mg, or about 40 mg, or about 50 mg, or about 60 mg, or about 70 mg, or about 80 mg, or about 90 mg, or about 100 mg. In other embodiments, an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered at a fixed dosage of about 100 mg, or about 150 mg, about 200 mg, or about 300 mg, or about 400 mg, or about 500 mg, or about 600 mg, or about 700 mg, or about 800 mg, or about 900 mg, or about 100 mg, or about 1100 mg, or about 1200 mg, or about 1300 mg, or about 1400 mg, or about 1500 mg, or about 1600 mg, or about 1700 mg, or about 1800 mg, or about 1900 mg, or about 2000 mg.

[0147] In specific embodiments, the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered intravenously at a fixed dosage about 100 mg, or about 150 mg, or about 200 mg, or about 600 mg, or about 1200 mg. In a specific embodiment, the anti-IFN antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered subcutaneously at a fixed dosage of about 100 mg, or about 200 mg, or about 600 mg, or about 1200 mg. In some embodiments, a loading dose is administered. In some specific embodiments, the anti-IFN-alpha antibody is sifalimumab, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. In a specific embodiment, the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered intravenously at a fixed dosage about 100 mg, or about 150 mg, or about 200 mg, or about 600 mg, or about 1200 mg once per month, with loading dose at Day 14.

[0148] When a series of fixed doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are administered, these doses can, for example, be administered approximately every week, approximately every 2 weeks, approximately every 3, or about every 4 weeks. In some embodiments, fixed doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are administered approximately every day, approximately every two days, approximately every three days, approximately every 4 days, approximately every 5 days, approximately every 6 days, or approximately every seven days.
In a specific embodiment, the fixed dose of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is a 100 mg dose administered daily. In a specific embodiment, the fixed dose of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is a 150 mg dose administered daily. In specific embodiments, the fixed dose of anti-IFN-alpha antibody is a 100 mg daily dose or a 150 mg daily dose of sifalimumab.

[0149] In a specific embodiment, fixed doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are administered every 2 weeks. These fixed doses can be administered, for example, for about 1 month, or about 2 months, or about 3 months, or about 4 months, or about 5 months, or about 6 months.

Such fixed doses can, for example, continue to be administered until disease progression, adverse event, or other parameter occurs as determined by the physician.. In some embodiments, patients can be administered at least one, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14 or at least 15 fixed doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. In a specific embodiment, patients are administered at least 13 doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. In some specific embodiments, patients can be administered at least 13 subcutaneous fixed doses of sifalimumab.

[0150] In some embodiments, fixed doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are administered at equal time intervals. In other embodiment, fixed doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are administered at varying intervals. In some embodiments, all administered fixed doses are essentially identical. In other embodiments, at least one fixed dose is different with respect to the other doses, e.g., in volume, concentration, route of administration, formulation, etc.

[0151] For the prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases, e.g., SLE, scleroderma, or myositis, the fixed dose or weight-based of anti-IFN-alpha antibody, e.g., sifalimumab, or antigen-binding fragment thereof will depend on the type of disease to be treated, as defined above, the severity and course of the disease, whether the antibody is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous therapy, the patient's clinical history and response to the antibody, and the discretion of the attending physician.

[0152] In some embodiments, one or more loading dose(s) of the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, either weigh-based or fixed doses, can be administered, followed by one or more maintenance dose(s), either weigh-based or fixed doses, of the antibody. In another embodiment, a plurality of the same fixed doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are administered to the patient. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, one or more weigh-based or fixed loading doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody (e.g. sifalimumab) or an antigen-binding fragment can be administered, followed by one or more weigh-based or fixed maintenance doses of the antibody. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, one or more weigh-based or fixed dose(s) of anti-IFN-alpha antibody (e.g. sifalimumab) or an antigen-binding fragment can be administered for up a number of cycles. In another embodiment, a weigh-based or fixed dose of anti-IFN-alpha antibody (e.g., sifalimumab) or an antigen-binding fragment can be administered as a loading dose, followed by one or more maintenance dose(s). About one, two or more maintenance doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof can be administered to the patient according to this embodiment.

[0153] Thus, the disclosure provides a method of treating an autoimmune disorder, e.g., SLE, scleroderma, or myositis in a human patient comprising administering at least one fixed dose of sifalimumab to the patient, wherein the fixed dose is about 100 mg, about 200 mg, about 600 mg, or about 1200 mg of sifalimumab.
Dosing to Achieve Desired Pharmacokinetic Characteristics [0154] The term "pharmacokinetic characteristics" or PK characteristics refers to parameters describing the mechanisms of absorption and distribution of an administered drug, e.g., an anti-IFN-alpha antibody such as sifalimumab or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, the rate at which a drug action begins and the duration of the effect, the physicochemical chemical changes of the substance in the body and the effects and routes of excretion of the metabolites of the drug.
The methods disclosed herein, permit dose selection to achieve desired PK
characteristics, whether the dosing be based on weight, fixed dosing, and whether the route of administration is, for example, intravenous or subcutaneous.

[0155] Such pharmacokinetic characteristics comprise, e.g., T. (time of maximum observed concentration), Tmax ss (time of maximum observed concentration at steady state), C. (maximum observed concentration), Cmax ss (maximum observed concentration at steady state), AUCT, (area under the curve over the dosing interval), AUCTss (area under the curve over the dosing interval at steady state), Ctrough (trough observed concentration), Ctrough ss (trough observed concentration at steady state), half-life (terminal elimination half-life, defined as In(2)6,,), CLss (serum steady state clearance, defined as Dose/AUCT ss), Vss (steady state volume of distribution), AUCiast (area under the curve from time 0 to last observed concentration, i.e., Clast), AUC,pf (area under the curve from 0 to infinity, defined as (AUCIast+Clast)6,,), AUC,pf extrapolated (percent of the AUC,pf curve extrapolated, defined as ((Ciastaz)/AUC,pf)*100), CL (apparent total body clearance of the drug from plasma), CL/F (apparent serum clearance), Vz/F
(apparent terminal volume of distribution), CLss/F (apparent serum steady state clearance), Vc (central volume), Vp (peripheral volume) or 2 (slope of the terminal elimination phase).

[0156] Pharmacokinetic characteristics can be used to determine the appropriate dosage of a drug of interest, e.g., an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. Characteristics describing the blood plasma curve can be obtained in clinical trials by administration of the active agent to a number of test subjects. The blood plasma values of the individual test persons are then averaged.

[0157] In the context of the present disclosure, pharmacokinetic characteristics, e.g., AUC, C. and Tmax refer to mean values corresponding to a population of subjects. Further, in the context of the present disclosure, in vivo parameters such as values for AUC, Cmax, Tmax refer to parameters or values obtained after administration at steady state to human patients.

[0158] To quantify pharmacokinetic characteristics in patients, the patient group comprises between 10 to 200 patients. A reasonable number of patients is, e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 or 200 patients. Patients are be selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria related to the ability of a physician to adequately discern the symptoms of the condition to be treated and the effect of the tested drug over those symptoms.

[0159] The calculation of pharmacokinetic characteristics can be performed with the WinNonlin program in any of its versions and/or platform implementations.
The skilled artisan will understand that such calculations can also be performed using other available software packages or by manual calculation according to formulas and methods known in the art.

[0160] For clarity and convenience herein, the convention is utilized of designating the time of drug administration or initiation of testing as zero hours (t=0 hours) or zero days (Day 0) and times following administration in appropriate time units, e.g., t=30 minutes or Day 68.

[0161] The term "bioavailability" is defined for purposes of the present disclosure as the extent to which an active agent such as an anti-IFN-alpha antibody, e.g., sifalimumab, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof is absorbed from the unit dosage forms. AUC provides a measure of bioavailability.

[0162] The term "steady state" means that a plasma level for a given drug, e.g., an anti-INF-alpha antibody, e.g., sifalimumab, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, has been achieved and which is maintained with subsequent doses of the drug at a level which is at or above the minimum effective therapeutic level and is below the minimum toxic plasma level. It will be well understood by those skilled in the medical art that after the administration of each dose the concentration passes through a maximum and then again drops to a minimum.
Accordingly, the steady state can be described as follows: At the time t=0, the time the first dose is administered, the concentration C is also O. The concentration then passes through a first maximum and then drops to a first minimum. Before the concentration drops to 0, another dose is administered, so that the second increase in concentration doesn't start at O. Building on this first concentration minimum, the curve passes through a second maximum after the second dose has been administered, which is above the first maximum, and drops to a second minimum, which is above the first minimum. Thus, the blood plasma curve escalates due to the repeated doses and the associated step-by-step accumulation of active agent, until it levels off to a point where dose administered and elimination are in balance. This state, at which dose administered and elimination are in equilibrium and the concentration oscillates constantly between a defined minimum and a defined maximum, is called steady state.

[0163] As used herein, the term "clearance rate" refers to CL (apparent total body clearance of the drug from plasma),CLõ ( serum steady state clearance), CL/F
(apparent serum clearance) and CLõ/F (apparent serum steady state clearance).
As used herein, term "apparent volume of distribution" refers to Võ (steady state volume of distribution) and Vz/F (apparent terminal volume of distribution).
As used herein, the term "half-life" refers to a biological half-life of a particular binding agent (e.g., an anti-INF-alpha antibody, such as sifalimumab, or an antigen binding fragment thereof) in vivo. Half-life can be represented by the time required for half the quantity administered to a subject to be cleared from the circulation and/or other tissues in the subject.

[0164] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an anti-IFN-alpha or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered in a dosage, such that an effective exposure is provided in a patient, for example as measured by, e.g., clearance rate, apparent volume of distribution, or half-life. The disclosure also includes methods which combine achieving two or more favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics or combinations thereof. Examples of those pharmacokinetic parameters include clearance rate clearance rate (CL, CLõ, CL/F, or CLss/F), an apparent volume of distribution (Võ or Vz/F), and a serum half-life. For instance, the formulation administered through the methods of the disclosure can be selected such that when administered to a patient in need thereof, the selected formulation provides the patient with one or more of the desired pharmacokinetic characteristics.

[0165] In some embodiments, one or more desired pharmacokinetic characteristics is achieved after the administration of one or more doses of an anti-INF antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof to a subject suffering from an autoimmune disorder. In some embodiments, such interferon alpha is human interferon alpha. In other embodiments, the one or more desired pharmacokinetic characteristics are selected, e.g., from the group consisting of from the group consisting of a clearance rate (CL, CLõ, CL/F, or CLõ/F), apparent volume of distribution (Vss or Vz/F), and a serum half-life. In some embodiments, the immune disorder is systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or myositis.

[0166] In some embodiments, the desired pharmacokinetic characteristics are selected from the group consisting for a clearance rate (CL, CLss, CL/F, or CLss/F) of between about 99 and about 432 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vss or Vz/F) of between about 3 and about 17 L, and a serum half-life of about 14 days to about 47 days is achieved following the administration of the anti-IFN antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

[0167] In some embodiments, the desired clearance rate (CL, CLõ, CL/F, or CL/F) is about 90, about 100, about 110, about 120, about 130, about 140, about 150, about 160, about 170, about 180, about 190, about 200, about 210, about 220, about 230, about 240, about 250, about 260, about 270, about 280, about 290, about 300, about 310, about 320, about 330, about 340, about 350, about 360, about 370, about 380, about 390, about 400, about 410, about 420, about 430, or about 440 mL/day. .

[0168] In some embodiments the desired apparent volume of distribution (Võ
or Vz/F) of about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, or about 17 L. In some embodiments, the desired serum half-life is about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, about 32, about 33, about 34, about 35, about 36, about 37, about 38, about 39, about 40, about 41, about 42, about 43, about 44, about 45, about 46, or about 47 days.

[0169] In some embodiments, such desired pharmacokinetic characteristics are achieved after the administration of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 doses. In some embodiments, such desired pharmacokinetic characteristics are achieved after the administration of at least 15 doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody, e.g., sifalimumab, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. In some embodiments, such doses are intravenous. In other embodiments, such doses are subcutaneous. In other embodiments, such doses are weight-based, whereas in other cases such doses are fixed doses.

[0170] When fixed doses are administered to achieve the desired pharmacokinetic characteristics, such doses an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof can be of about 10 mg, about 20 mg, about 30 mg, about 40 mg, about 50 mg, about 60 mg, about 70 mg, about 80 mg, about 90 mg, or about 100 mg. In other embodiments, an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered at a fixed dosage of about mg, about 150 mg, about 200 mg, about 250 mg, about 300 mg, about 400 mg, about 500 mg, about 600 mg, about 700 mg, about 800 mg, about 900 mg, about 100 mg, about 1100 mg, about 1200 mg, about 1300 mg, about 1400 mg, about 1500 mg, about 1600 mg, about 1700 mg, about 1800 mg, about 1900 mg, about 2000 mg. In some embodiments, a loading dose is administered.

[0171] In a specific embodiment, the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered intravenously at a fixed dosage about 100 mg, or about 150 mg, or about 200 mg, or about 250 mg, or about 300 mg, or about 400 mg, or about 500 mg, or about 600 mg, or about 700 mg, or about 800 mg, or about 900 mg, or about 1000 mg, or about 1100 mg, or about 1200 mg, or about 1300 mg, or about 1400 mg, or about 1500 mg, or about 1600 mg, or about 1700 mg, or about 1800 mg, or about 1900 mg, or about 2000 mg once per month, with a loading dose at Day 14.

[0172] In some embodiments, the desired pharmacokinetic characteristics can be achieved by administering doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof approximately every day, approximately every two days, approximately every three days, approximately every 4 days, approximately every 5 days or approximately every 6 days. In some embodiments, the desired pharmacokinetic characteristics can be achieved by administering doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof approximately every week, approximately every 2 weeks, approximately every 3 weeks, or about every 4 weeks. In a specific embodiment, weight-based doses of anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are administered every 2 weeks.
In other embodiments, the desired pharmacokinetic characteristics can be achieved by administering doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, for example, for about 1 month, or about 2 months, or about 3 months, or about 4 months, or about 5 months, or about 6 months.

[0173] In some embodiments, the time to reach maximum plasma concentration (Tmax or Tmax ss) following IV administration of an anti-IFN-alpha, such as sifalimumab, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof is about 0.13 days or less.

[0174] In some embodiments, the administration of an anti-IFN-alpha, such as sifalimumab, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof achieves a desired pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from clearance rate (CL, CLss, CL/F, or CLõ/F), apparent volume of distribution (Võ or Vz/F), a serum half-life, T.
(time of maximum observed concentration), Tmax ss (time of maximum observed concentration at steady state), C. (maximum observed concentration), Cmax ss (maximum observed concentration at steady state), AUCT, (area under the curve over the dosing interval), AUCTss (area under the curve over the dosing interval at steady state), Ctrough (trough observed concentration), Ctrough ss (trough observed concentration at steady state), half-life (terminal elimination half-life, defined as In(2)6), CL ss (serum steady state clearance, defined as Dose/AUCT ss), Vss (steady state volume of distribution), AUClast (area under the curve from time 0 to last observed concentration, i.e., Clast), AUC,nf (area under the curve from 0 to infinity, defined as (AUClast+Clast)6,,), AUC,nf extrapolated (percent of the AUC,nf curve extrapolated, defined as ((Ciastaz)/AUC,nf)*100), CL/F (apparent serum clearance), Vz/F (apparent terminal volume of distribution), CLss/F (apparent serum steady state clearance), Vc (central volume), Vp (peripheral volume), (slope of the terminal elimination phase), or combinations thereof.

[0175] In some embodiments a single IV administration of about 0.3 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax of about 0.12 days or less, a maximum plasma concentration (C.) of about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14 or about 15 pg/mL, an area under the plasma concentration-time curve during a dosage interval (T) (AUCT) of about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, about 70, about 75, about 80, about 85, about 90, about 95, about 100, about 105, or about 110 pg day/mL, and a trough plasma concentration (Ctrough) of about 2.0, about 2.2, about 2.4, about 2.6, about 2.8, about 3.0, about 3.2, about 3.4, about 3.6, about 3.8, or about 4.0 pg/mL.

[0176] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 0.3 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T. of about 0.07 days, an average C. of about 11 pg/mL, an average AUCT of about 79 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough of about 3 pg/mL.

[0177] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 1 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tri,õ of about 0.12 days or less, a Crnax of about 20, about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, or about 45 pg/mL, an AUCT of about 150, about 175, about 200, about 225, about 250, about 275, or about 300 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough of about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about, or about 15 pg/mL .

[0178] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 1 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Trnax of about 0.08 days, an average Crnax of about 32 pg/mL, an average AUCT of about 221 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough of about 8 pg/mL.

[0179] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 3 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tri,õ of about 0.13 days or less, a Crnax of about 60, about 70, about 80, about 90, about 100, about 110, about 120, about 130, about 140, or about 150 pg/mL, an AUCT
of about 450, about 500, about 550, about 600, about 650, about 700, about 750, about 800, about 850, about 900, about 950, about 1000, or about 1050 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough of about 12, about 14, about 16, about 18, about 20, about 22, about 24, about 26, about 28, about 30, about 32, about 34, or about 36 pg/mL.

[0180] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 3 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Trnax of about 0.09 days, an average Crnax of about pg/mL, an average AUCT of about 739 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough of about 23 pg/mL.

[0181] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 10 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tri,õ of about 0.13 days or less, a Crnax of about 140, about 150, about 160, about 170, about 180, about 190, about 200, about 210, about 220, about 230, about 240, about 250, about 260, about 270, about 280, about 290, about 300, about 310, or about 320 pg/mL, an AUCT of about 900, about 1000, about 1100, about 1200, about 1300, about 1400, about 1500, about 1600, about 1700, about 1800, about 1900, about 2000, about 2100, about 2200, or about 2300 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough Of about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, about 70, about 75, or about 80 pg/mL.

[0182] In some embodiments, a single IV administration of about 10 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T. of about 0.09 days, an average C. of about 230 pg/mL, an average AUCT of about 1610 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough Of about 52 pg/mL.

[0183] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics are chosen from: a T.

ss of about 0.60 days or less, a Cmax ss of about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, or about 25 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 80, about 90 , about 100, about 110, about 120, about 130, about 140, about 150, about 160, about 170, about 180, about 190, or about 200 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 5 of less, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, or about 11 pg/mL is achieved.

[0184] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T. of about 0.17 days, an average C. of about 18 pg/mL, an average AUCT of about 143 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough Of about 8 pg/mL
is achieved.

[0185] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics selected from the group consisting of a clearance rate (CLss) of about 90, about 100, about 110, about 120, about 130, about 140, about 150, about 160, about 170, about 180, about 190, about 200, about 210, about 220, about 230, about 240, about 240, about 250, about 260, or about 270 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, or about 9 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days, about 20 days, about 25 days, about 30 days, about 35 days, about 40 days, or about to about 45 days is achieved.

[0186] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics selected from the group consisting of an average clearance rate (CLõ) of about 185 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 6 L, and an average serum half-life of about 29 days is achieved.

[0187] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax ss of about 0.11 days or less, a Cmax ss of about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, or about 70 pg/mL, an AUCT
ss of about 200, about 250, about 300, about 350, about 400, about 450, about 500, about 550, or about 600 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 9, about 11, about 13, about 15, about 17, about 19, about 21, about 23, about 25, about 27, about 29, or about 31 pg/mL is achieved.

[0188] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 0.07 days, an average Cmax ss of about 48 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 197 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough ss of about 11 pg/mL is achieved.

[0189] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics selected from the group consisting of a clearance rate (CLss) of about 120, about 140, about 160, about 180, about 200, about 220, about 240, about 260, about 280, about 300, about 320, about 340, or about 360 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, or about 9 L, and a serum half-life of about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, or about 32 days is achieved.

[0190] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics selected from the group consisting of an average clearance rate (CLõ) of about 223 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 6 L, and an average serum half-life of about 23 days is achieved.

[0191] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax ss of about 0.35 days or less, a C max ss of about 75, about 100, about 125, about 150, about 175, about 200, about 225, or about 250 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 500, about 600, about 700, about 800, about 900, about 1000, about 1100 , about 1200, about 1300, about 1400, about 1500, about 1600, about 1700, about 1800, or about 1900 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, about 70, or about 75 pg/mL is achieved.

[0192] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 0.13 days, an average Cmax ss of about 153 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 1188 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough ss of about 50 pg/mL is achieved.

[0193] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics selected from the group consisting of a clearance rate (CLss) of about 130, about 140, about 150, about 160, about 170, about 180, about 190, about 200, about 210, about 220, about 230, about 240, about 250, about 260, about 270, about 280, about 290, about 300, or about 310 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 3.0, about 4.0, about 4.5, about 5.0, about 5.5, about 6.0, about 6.5, or about 7.0 L, and a serum half-life of about 14 days, about 15, about 16 days, about 17 days, about 18 days, about 19 days, about 20 days, about 21 days, about 22 days, about 23 days. about 24 days, about 25 days, or about 26 days is achieved.

[0194] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics selected from the group consisting of an average clearance rate (CLõ) of about 220 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 5 L, and an average serum half-life of about 20 days is achieved.

[0195] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax ss of about 0.85 days or less, a Cmax ss of about 275, about 300, about 325, about 350, about 375, about 400, about 425, about 450, about 475, about 500, about 525, about 550, about 575, or about 600 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 2500, about 2600, about 2700, about 2800, about 2900, about 3000, about 3100, about 3200, about 3300, about 3400, about 3500, about 3600, about 3700, about 3800, about 3900, about 4000, about 4100, about 4200, or about 4300 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 90, about 100, about 110, about 120, about 130, about 140, about 150, about 160, about 170, about 180, about 190, about 200, about 210, about 220, about 230, about 240, about 250, about 260, about 270, about 280, or about 290 pg/mL is achieved.

[0196] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 0.23 days, an average Cmax ss of about 232 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 3403 pg day/mL, and an average Ctrough ss of about 184 pg/mL is achieved.

[0197] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics selected from the group consisting of a clearance rate (CLss) of about 150, about 160, about 170, about 180, about 190, about 200, about 210, about 220, about 230, about 240, about 250, about 260, about 270, about 280, about 290, about 300, about 310, or about 320 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Võ) of about 4.0, about 4.5, about 5.0, about 5.5, about 6.0, about 6.5, or about 7 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days, about 16 days, about 17 days, about 18 days, about 19 days, about 20 days, about 21 days, about 22 days, about 23 days, about 24 days, about 25 days, about 26 days, about 27 days, about 28 days, or about 29 days is achieved.

[0198] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CLõ) of about 238 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of about 6 L, and an average serum half-life of about 22 days is achieved.

[0199] In some embodiments, the number of IV doses at about 14-day intervals required to achieve steady state is about 5 to about 8 doses. In some embodiments, the desired pharmacokinetic characteristics are achieved after the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered as a single dose or is administered in two or more doses once per week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, once every four weeks, once a month, once every 3 months, once every six months, or at varying intervals. In some embodiments, the desired pharmacokinetic parameters are achieved after subcutaneous (SC) administration.

[0200] In some embodiments, the desired pharmacokinetic characteristics are achieved after the administration of 100 mg of anti-IFN-alpha administered as a single dose, or administered weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. In some embodiments, the desired pharmacokinetic characteristics are achieved after the administration of 150 mg of anti-IFN-alpha administered as a single dose, or administered weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. In some embodiments, the dose is administered intravenously. In other embodiments the dose is administered subcutaneously.

[0201] In some embodiments, at T. or Tmax ss of between about 1.8 and about 9.4 days is achieved. In some embodiments the T. or Tmax ss is about 2 days or lower, about 3 days or lower, about 4 days or lower, about 5 days or lower, about 6 days or lower, about 7 days or lower, about 8 days or lower, about 9 days or lower, or about 10 days or lower.

[0202] In some embodiments, a single SC administration of about 100 mg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax of about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, or about days, a Cmax of about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, or about 21 pg/mL, an area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time of last measurable concentration (AUCiast) of about 175, about 200, about 225, about 250, about 275, about 300, about 325, about 350, about 375, about 400, about 425, about 450, about 475, about 500, about 525, about 550, about 575, about 600, about 625, about 650, or about 675 pg day/mL, and an area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC.) of about 200, about 225, about 250, about 275, about 300, about 325, about 350, about 375, about 400, about 425, about 450, about 475, about 500, about 525, about 550, about 575, about 600, about 625, about 650, about 675, about 700, about 725, about 750, or about 775 pg day/mL.

[0203] In some embodiments, a single SC administration of about 100 mg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T. of about 6 days, an average C. of about 13 pg/mL, an average area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time of last measurable concentration (AUCiast) of about 421 pg day/mL, and an average area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC.) of about 477 pg day/mL.

[0204] In some embodiments, a single SC administration of about 100 mg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL/F) of about 100, about 125, about 150, about 175, about 200, about 225, about 250, about 275, about 300, about 325, about 350, about 375, about 400, about 425, or about 450 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of about 5.0, about 5.5, about 6.0, about 6.5, about 7.0, about 7.5, about 8.0, about 8.5, about 9.0, about 9.5, about 10, about 10.5, about 11, about 11.5 or about L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days, about 16 days, about 17 days, about days, about 19 days, about 20 days, about 21 days, about 22 days, about 23, about 24 days, about 25 days, about 26 days, about 27 days, about 28 days, about 29 days, about 30 days, about 31 days, about 32 days, about 33 days, or about 34 days.

[0205] In some embodiments, a single SC administration of about 100 mg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL/F) of about 275 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (\//F) of about 8 L, and a serum half-life of about 25 days.

[0206] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
a Tmax ss of about 2, about 2.5, about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about 4.5, about 5, about 5.5, about 6, or about 6.5 days, a Cmax ss of about 35, about 40, about 45, about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, about 70, about 75, about 80, about 85, about 90, or about 95 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 225, about 250, about 275, about 300, about 325, about 350, about 375, about 400, about 425, about 450, about 475, about 500, about 525, about 550, about 575, about 600, about 625, or about 650 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 35, about 40, about 45, about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, about 70, about 75, or about 80pg/mL is achieved.

[0207] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to a population of subjects to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 4 days, an average C.

ss of about 65 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 443 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 59 pg/mL is achieved.

[0208] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from:
a clearance rate (CLss/F) of about 150, about 160, about 170, about 180, about 190, about 200, about 210, about 220, about 230, about 240, about 250, about 260, about 270, about 280, about 290, about 300, about 310, about 320, about 330, about 340, about 350, about 360, about 370, about 380, about 390, or about 400 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (\//F) of about 7, about 7.5, about 8, about 8.5, about 9, about 9.5, about 10, about 10.5, about 11, about 11.5, about 12, about 12.5, about 13, about 13.5, about 14, about 14.5, or about 15 L, and a serum half-life of about 22 , about 23, about 24 of less, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, about 32, about 33, about 34, or about 35 days is achieved.

[0209] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to a population of subjects to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CLõ) of about 282 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (\//F) of about 11 L, and an average serum half-life of about 28 days is achieved.

[0210] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax ss of about 2, about 2.5, about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about 4.5, about 5, about 5.5, about 6, about 6.5, or about 7 days, a Cmax ss of about 30, about 32, about 34, about 36, about 38, about 40, about 42, about 44, about 46, about 48, or about 50 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 420 , about 430, about 440, about 450, about 460, about 470, about 480, about 490, about 500, about 510, about 520, about 530, about 540, about 550, about 560, or about 570 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, about 32, about 33, about 34, about 35, about 36, about 37, about 38, about 39, or about 40 pg/mL is achieved.

[0211] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to a population of subjects to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 4 days, an average C.

ss of about 39 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 495 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 30 pg/mL is achieved.

[0212] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a clearance rate (CLss/F) of about 170, about 175, about 180, about 185, about 190, about 195, about 200, about 205, about 210, about 215, about 220, about 225, about 230, about 235, or about 240 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of about 6 of less, about 6.5, about 7, about 7.5, about 8, about 8.5, about 9, about 9.5, or about 10 L, and a serum half-life of about 18, about 20, about 22, about 24, about 26, about 28, about 30, about 32, about 34, about 36, or about 38 days is achieved.

[0213] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to a population of subjects to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL) of about 406 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of about 8 L, and an average serum half-life of about 28 days is achieved.

[0214] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a Tmax ss of about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about 4.5, about 5, about 5.5, about 6, about 6.5, about 7, about 7.5, or about 8 days, a C max ss of about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, about 32, about 33, or about 34 pg/mL, an AUCT ss of about 325, about 350, about 375, about 400, about 425, about 450, about 475, about 500, about 525, about 550, about 575, about 600, about 625, or about 650 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 6, about 6.5, about 7, about 7.5, about 8, about 8.5, about 9, about 9.5, about 10, about 10.5, about 11, about 11.5, about 12, about 12.5, about 13, about 13.5, about 14, about 14.5, or about 15 pg/mL is achieved.

[0215] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to a population of subjects to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average Tmax ss of about 6 days, an average C.

ss of about 49 pg/mL, an average AUCT ss of about 483 pg day/mL, and a Ctrough ss of about 11 pg/mL is achieved.

[0216] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a clearance rate (CLss/F) of about 150, about 160, about 170, about 180, about 190, about 200, about 210, about 220, about 230, about 240, about 250, about 260, about 270, about 280, about 290, about 300, or about 310 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, or about 17 L, and a serum half-life of about 18 , about 20, about 22, about 24, about 26, about 28, about 30, about 32, about 34, about 36, about 38, about 40, about 42, about 44, about 46, or about 48 days is achieved.

[0217] In some embodiments, a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to a population of subjects to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL) of about 227 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of about 11 L, and an average serum half-life of about 33 days is achieved.
Dosing to Achieve Desired Pharmacodynamic Characteristics [0218] The term "pharmacodynamic characteristics" includes parameters describing the biological effects of an administered drug, e.g., an anti-IFN-alpha antibody such as sifalimumab or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. One such characteristic is the expression of specific genes, which can serve as PD
markers. In particular, certain genes when overexpressed in a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease relative to the genes' expression in a healthy patient, or relative to the abundance of housekeeping genes, can serve as a type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible PD marker expression profile.

[0219] The group of genes included in the type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible PD
marker expression profile of the patient are (a) IF127, IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (b) IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (c) IF127, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (d) IF127, IF144, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (e) IF127, IF144, IF144L, and RSAD2; or (f) IF127, IF144, IF144L, and IF16.

[0220] In a specific embodiment, the group of genes included in the type I
IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible PD marker expression profile of the patient comprises IF127, IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2. In another specific embodiment, the group of genes included in the type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible PD marker expression profile of the patient consists of IF127, IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2. In a further specific embodiment, the group of genes included in the type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible PD marker expression profile of the patient comprises IF127, IF144, IF144L, and RSAD2. In another specific embodiment, the group of genes included in the type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible PD marker expression profile of the patient consists of IF127, IF144, IF144L, and RSAD2.

[0221] The IFN-alpha-inducible PD markers in an expression profile may include (a) IF127, IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (b) IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2;
or (c) IF127, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (d) IF127, IF144, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (e) IF127, IF144, IF144L, and RSAD2; or (f) IF127, IF144, IF144L, and IF16.

[0222] The IFN-alpha-inducible PD markers in an expression profile may consist of (a) IF127, IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (b) IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (c) IF127, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (d) IF127, IF144, IFI6 and RSAD2; or (e) IF127, IF144, IF144L, and RSAD2; or (f) IF127, IF144, IF144L, and IF16.

[0223] An alternative set of genes that may serve as PD markers includes the 21 genes IF144, IF127, IF144L, DNAPTP6, LAMP3, LY6E, RSAD2, HERC5, IF16, I5G15, 0A53, SIGLEC1, 0A52, USP18, RPT4, IFIT1, MX1, OAS1, EPST1, PLSCR1, and IFRG28, as described in U.S. Patent Application 12/598, 526, file May 5, 2008. See Table 24 following paragraph [0500].

[0224] The upregulation or downregulation of the type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible PD markers in the patient's expression profile may be by any degree relative to that of a sample from a control (which may be from a sample that is not disease tissue of the patient (e.g., non-lesional skin of a psoriasis patient) or from a healthy person not afflicted with the disease or disorder) or may be relative to that of genes from the patient whose expression is not changed by the disease (so called "house keeping" genes.) [0225] The degree upregulation or downregulation may be at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 100%, at least 125%, at least 150%, or at least 200%, or at least 300%, or at least 400%, or at least 500% or more that of the control or control sample.

[0226] Type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible PD marker expression profile may be calculated as the average fold increase in the expression or activity of the set of genes comprised by the PD marker. The Type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible PD
marker expression profile may also be calculated as the difference between the mean Ct (cycle threshold) for the four target genes and the mean Ct of three control genes.

[0227] The average fold increase in the expression or activity of the set of genes may be between at least about 2 and at least about 15, between at least about and at least about 10, or between at least about 2 and at least about 5. The average fold increase in the expression or activity of the set of genes may be at least about 2, at least about 2.5, at least about 3, at least about 3.5, at least about 4, at least about 4.5, at least about 5, at least about 5.5, at least about 6, at least about 6.5, at least about 7, at least about 8, at least about 9 or at least about 10.

[0228] The degree of increased expression permits the identification of a fold change cutoff for identifying signature positive and signature negative patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. In one embodiment, the cutoff is at least about 2. In another embodiment, the cutoff is at least about 2.5. In another embodiment, the cutoff is at least about 3. In another embodiment, the cutoff is at least about 3.5. In another embodiment, the cutoff is at least about 4. In another embodiment, the cutoff is at least about 4.5. In another embodiment, the cutoff is chosen from at least 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5.
In another embodiment the cutoff is between about 2 and about 8. In one embodiment, the cutoff is the mean of the increased expression levels of at least four of IF127, IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2. In another embodiment, the cutoff is the median of the increased expression levels of at least four of IF127, IF144, IF144L, IFI6 and RSAD2.

[0229] The degree of increased expression also permits the identification of a delta Ct cutoff for identifying signature positive and signature negative patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. In one embodiment, the cutoff is at least about 7.6. In another embodiment, the cutoff is 7.56. The fold change cutoff may be used to determine an appropriate delta Ct cutoff (e.g., 1 < log2 of the fold change < 3 corresponds to delta Ct range of 8.65 to 6.56.). Thus, in another embodiment, the delta Ct cutoff is between about 6.56 to about 8.56.

[0230] Furthermore, the patient may overexpress or have a tissue that overexpresses a type I IFN subtype at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, at least 125%, at least 150%, or at least 200%, or at least 300%, or at least 400%, or at least 500%
that of the control. The type I IFN subtype may be any one of IFNalpha 1, IFNalpha2, IFNalpha4, IFNalpha5, IFNalpha6, IFNalpha7, IFNalpha8, IFNalphal0, IFNalphal4, IFNalphal7, IFNalpha21, IFNbeta, or IFNomega. The type I IFN
subtypes may include all of IFNalphal, IFNalpha2, IFNalpha8, and IFNalphal4.

[0231] The up-regulated expression or activity of any gene detected in a sample, by probes, or by probes in kits in an IFN-alpha-inducible PD marker expression profile may be at least 1.2-fold, at least 1.25-fold, at least 1.3-fold, at least 1.4-fold, at least 1.5-fold, at least 2.0-fold, at least 2.25-fold, at least 2.5-fold, at least 2.75-fold, at least 3.0-fold, at least 3.5-fold, at least 4.0-fold, at least 4.5-fold, at least 5.0-fold, at least 6.0-fold, at least 7.0-fold, at least 8.0-fold, at least 9.0-fold, at least 10.0-fold, at least 15.0-fold, at least 20.0-fold, at least 25.0-fold, or at least 50.0-fold relative to baseline levels of control cells, e.g., cells of healthy volunteers or cells of control animals or cells not exposed to IFN in culture.
All of the genes in the IFN-alpha-inducible PD marker expression profile may have up-regulated expression or activity at the same fold increase. Alternatively, the genes in the PD marker expression profile may have varying levels of up-regulated expression or activity.
Measuring Upregulation [0232] Up- or down-regulation of gene expression or activity of IFN-alpha-inducible PD markers may be determined by any means known in the art. For example, up- or down-regulation of gene expression may be detected by determining mRNA levels. mRNA expression may be determined by northern blotting, slot blotting, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, or gene chip hybridization techniques. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,744,305 and 5,143,854 for examples of making nucleic acid arrays for gene chip hybridization techniques. See Establishing and functional characterization of an HEK-293 cell line expressing autofluorescently tagged 13 -actin (pEYFP-ACTIN) and the neurokinin type 1 receptor (NK1-R) Hrovat, A; Zavec, AB; Pogacnik, A;
Frangez, R; Vrecl, M 2010 Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters 1, 55-69, Expression profiles of proliferative and antiapoptotic genes in sporadic and colitis-related mouse colon cancer models Svec, J; Ergang, P; Mandys, V; Kment, M;
Pacha, J 2010 International Journal of Experimental Pathology 1, 44-53, and Protein kinase inhibitors emodin and dichloro-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole modulate the cellular accumulation and cytotoxicity of cisplatin in a schedule-dependent manner Kurokawa, T; He, GA; Siddik, ZH 2010 Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 3, 427-436, for examples of how to use the TAQMANO method for measuring gene expression.

[0233] Primers that selectively bind to targets in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) can be chosen based on empirically determining primers that hybridize in a PCR reaction and produce sufficient signal to detect the target over background, or can be predicted using the melting temperature of the primer:target duplex as described in Maniatis et al. Molecular Cloning, Second Edition, Section 11.46. 1989. Similarly, probes for detecting PCR products in a TAQMANO or related method can be empirically chosen or predicted. Such primers and probes (collectively "oligonucleotides") may be between 10 and 30 nucleotides or greater in length.

[0234] Up- or down-regulation of gene expression or activity of IFN-alpha-inducible PD markers may be determined by detecting protein levels. Methods for detecting protein expression levels include immuno-based assays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays, western blotting, protein arrays, and silver staining.

[0235] An IFN-alpha-inducible PD marker expression profile may comprise a profile of protein activity. Up- or down-regulation of gene expression or activity of IFN-alpha-inducible PD markers may be determined by detecting activity of proteins including, but not limited to, detectable phosphorylation activity, de-phosphorylation activity, or cleavage activity.
Furthermore, up- or down-regulation of gene expression or activity of IFN-alpha-inducible PD markers may be determined by detecting any combination of these gene expression levels or activities.
Neutralization of the type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible profile in patients [0236] Treatment with the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof neutralizes the type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible profile. Treatment with the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof results in a decrease in one or more symptoms of the type I IFN or an IFN-alpha-mediated disease or disorder. Treatment with the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof results in fewer flare-ups related to the type I IFN
or an IFN-alpha-mediated disease or disorder. Treatment with the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof results in improved prognosis for the patient having the type I IFN or an IFN-alpha-mediated disease or disorder.
Treatment with the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof results in a higher quality of life for the patient. Treatment with the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof alleviates the need to co-administer second agents (e.g., steroids) or may lessen the dosage of administration of the second agent to the patient. Treatment with the anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof reduces the number of hospitalizations of the patient that are related to the type I IFN or an IFN-alpha-mediated disease or disorder.

[0237] The anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof neutralizes a type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible profile. Neutralization of the type I
IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible profile may be a reduction in at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four genes. Neutralization of the type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible profile is a reduction of at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of any of the at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four genes up-regulated in the type I IFN
or IFN-alpha-inducible profile.

[0238] Alternatively, neutralization of the type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible profile refers to a reduction of expression of up-regulated type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible genes that is within at most 50%, at most 45%, at most 40%, at most 35%, at most 30%, at most 25%, at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, at most 5%, at most 4%, at most 3%, at most 2%, or at most 1% of expression levels of those type I IFN or IFN-alpha-inducible genes in a control sample.
The anti-IFN-alpha antibody or fragment thereof may neutralize the type I IFN or IFN-alpha profile at doses of 0.3 to 30 mg/kg, 0.3 to 10 mg/kg, 0.3 to 3 mg/kg, 0.3 to 1 mg/kg, 1 to 30 mg/kg, 3 to 30 mg/kg, 5 to 30 mg/kg, 10 to 30 mg/kg, 1 to 10 mg/kg, 3 to 10 mg/kg, or 1 to 5 mg/kg. In a specific embodiment, the type I
IFN
or IFN-alpha profile is neutralized by about 40% when sifalimumab is administered with weekly, subcutaneous dosing of 100 mg.

[0239] All of the references cited above, as well as all references cited herein, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0240] The following examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

EXAM PLES
Example 1 Intravenous Pharmacokinetics and Immunogenicity of Body Weight-Based Dosing Regimes of Sifalimumab Administered Intravenously to SLE
Patients [0241] The PK and immunogenicity (IM) of intravenous (IV) weight-based doses of sifalimumab administered every 14 days was studied in a Phase lb study in adult patients with moderate to severe SLE to evaluate the safety profile of sifalimumab.
1. Methods 1.1 Study Design [0242] This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study with 4 arms for a total of 14 doses in 161 patients with moderate to severe SLE. 161 patients were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to receive sifalimumab or placebo. Sifalimumab was administered every 14 days as a 60-minute IV infusion. Four IV sifalimumab dosages were used: 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, and mg/kg.

[0243] Criteria for inclusion of subjects receiving the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof intravenously are summarized in clinical trial identifier NCT00482989, accessible via the U.S. National Institutes of Health clinicaltrials.gov database. Thus, inclusion criteria comprise: Male or female adults were between about 18 and about 95 years of age at the time of the first dose of study drug; subjects met at least 4 of the 11 revised American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE (Appendix A, ACR,1999); subjects had positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) test at 1:80 serum dilution in the past or at screening; and subjects had at least one system with a score of A or two systems with a score of B on the BILAG index at screening, or had a SELENA-SLEDAI score 6.

[0244] Exclusion criteria comprised having received MEDI-545 within 120 days prior to screening or have either detectable levels of MEDI-545 or anti-MEDI-antibodies (positive at > 1:10 serum dilution) in serum at screening; history of allergy or reaction to any component of the study drug formulation; have received prednisone > 20 mg/day (or an equivalent dose of another oral corticosteroid)within 14 days before randomization/entry; having received the following dosages of medications within 28 days before randomization/entry:
hydroxychloroquine > 600 mg/day, mycophenolate mofetil > 3 g/day, methotrexate > 25 mg/week, azathioprine > 3 mg/kg/day, or any dose of cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, or thalidomide; having received leflunomide >20 mg/day in the 6 months prior to Study Day 0; having received fluctuating doses of antimalarials, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, leflunomide, or azathioprine within 28 days before randomization/entry or fluctuating doses of NSAIDs or oral corticosteroids within 14 days before randomization/entry;
treatment with any investigational drug therapy within 28 days before randomization/entry into the study, B cell-depleting therapies within 12 months before randomization/entry, or biologic therapies within 30 days or 5 half-lives of the biologic agent, whichever was longer, before randomization/entry into the study; evidence of clinically significant active infection, including ongoing, chronic infection, within 28 days before randomization/entry; history of severe viral infection as judged by the investigators, including severe infections of either cytomegalovirus or the herpes family such as disseminated herpes, herpes encephalitis, ophthalmic herpes; herpes zoster infection within 3 months before randomization/entry; evidence of infection with hepatitis B or C virus, or HIV-1 or HIV-2, or active infection with hepatitis A, as determined by results of testing at screening; vaccination with live attenuated viruses within 28 days before randomization/entry; pregnancy (women, unless surgically sterile or at least 2 years post-menopausal, had a negative serum pregnancy test within 28 days before receiving the study drug and a negative urine pregnancy test on Study Day 0 before receiving the study drug); breastfeeding or lactating women;
history of primary immunodeficiency; history of alcohol or drug abuse < 1 year prior to randomization/entry; history of cancer (except basal cell carcinoma or in situ carcinoma of the cervix treated with apparent success with curative therapy >

year prior to randomization/entry); history of active TB infection; history of latent TB infection or newly positive TB skin test (reaction defined as 10 mm in diameter if not on systemic immunosuppressive medication or 5 mm if on systemic immunosuppressive medication) without completion of an appropriate course of treatment or with ongoing prophylactic therapy; elective surgery planned from the time of screening through Study Day 196; at screening blood tests (within 28 days before randomization/entry), any of the following (i) AST > 2 x upper limit of normal range (ULN), unless caused by SLE, as determined by the investigator, (ii) ALT > 2 x ULN, unless caused by SLE, as determined by the investigator, (iii) Creatinine > 4.0 mg/dL, (iv) Neutrophils "1,500/ pL (< 1.5 x 109/L)," (v) Platelet count "Platelet count < 50,000/ pL (< 50 x 109/L)";
history of any disease, evidence of any current disease (other than SLE), any finding upon physical examination, or any laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator or medical monitor, may have compromised the safety of the patient in the study or confound the analysis of the study.

[0245] The inclusion and exclusion criteria listed above are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art would understand that other inclusion and/or exclusion parameters may be used to generate a subject population such that the choice of subject does not compromise the safety of the subject or confounds the analysis of the study.

[0246] Trough serum samples were collected for PK concentrations and IM
titers at multiple time points. Samples were analyzed for PK using a validated enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and for IM using a validated bridging electrochemiluminescent assay (ECL).
1.2. Measurement of Anti-sifalimumab Antibodies in Human Serum Samples Using a Validated Colorimetric Bridging ELISA Method (pre-study screen samples) [0247] As part of the pre-study evaluation of subjects for inclusion in the study, serum was evaluated for anti-sifalimumab antibody responses. Serum samples were measured for the presence of anti-sifalimumab antibodies using a colorimetric bridging ELISA. Serum samples were diluted 1:10 and were added to a microtiter plate coated with sifalimumab. Following a wash step, biotinylated-sifalimumab was added to bind the captured anti-sifalimumab antibodies. Plates were washed and streptavidin conjugated with horseradish peroxidase was added, followed by tetramethylbenzidine substrate for detection of bridged complexes. Plates were measured at a 450 nm wavelength using a Molecular Devices SpectraMax microplate reader and the results were analyzed using SOFTmax PRO software. The color intensity of the reaction was proportional to the amount of anti-sifalimumab antibodies present in the sample.

[0248] The assay employed three positive controls ranging from 15 to 1500 ng/mL and one negative spiked control (0.75 ng/mL) that were prepared by adding goat anti-sifalimumab anti-idiotypic antibody into pooled normal human serum. The negative/positive cutoff value for samples was determined for each assay plate and was calculated by multiplying the mean value of six unique human serum samples measured on the plate by 1.5. Samples with responses below the plate cutoff value were classified as negative and were assigned a titer value of < 10, (less than the reciprocal of the minimum required sample dilution).
Samples with responses greater than or equal to the plate cutoff value were classified as positive and were subsequently tested for titer. Titers were performed by serially diluting samples with pooled normal human serum matrix and were reported as the reciprocal of the highest 1:2 dilution (over the 1:10 minimum required sample dilution) that measured positive in the assay, before returning a negative response.

[0249] Method validation met the acceptance criteria for accuracy and precision of classification and titer, intermediate precision, repeatability, robustness, linearity of dilution, specificity of detection, analyte stability in human serum and selectivity in normal human and SLE patient serum samples. The estimated concentration of the cutoff of the assay was determined to be 4.5 ng/mL using the polyclonal goat anti-sifalimumab antibody surrogate control. Concentrations of 500 ng/mL anti-sifalimumab antibody (but not 100 ng/mL) were detectable in serum samples containing 100 ng/mL sifalimumab drug.
1.3. Measurement of sifalimumab in Human Serum Using a Validated Colorimetric ELISA Method [0250] Sifalimumab was measured in human serum samples using a colorimetric ELISA method that was validated for human serum. In the assay, microtiter plates were coated with 0.5pg/mL goat anti-sifalimumab idiotype antibody, blocked with casein buffer and washed. Calibration standards (0.3 to 160 pg/mL) and control samples were prepared by diluting sifalimumab reference standard into human serum Standards, controls and unknown samples were diluted 1:1000 in assay buffer that contained 0.5% casein and 5% goat serum and were added to the plate at 50 pL/well.

[0251] Following incubation, plates were washed to remove unbound material and goat anti-human IgG conjugated with horseradish peroxidase was added for binding of captured sifalimumab. Plates were washed and pre-warmed 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) peroxidase substrate was added. The reaction was stopped by addition of 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) stop solution.

[0252] Plates were measured at a 405 nm wavelength using a Molecular Devices SpectraMax microplate reader and the results were analyzed using SOFTmax PRO software. The color intensity of the reaction was proportional to the amount of sifalimumab present in the sample. Concentrations of sifalimumab in quality controls and unknown samples were interpolated from standard curves using a 4-parameter logistic fit. The assay lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was determined to be 1.25 pg/mL and the upper limit of quantitation (ULOQ) was determined to be 40 pg/mL.

[0253] Method validation demonstrated acceptable accuracy, repeatability, intermediate precision, selectivity (evaluated in serum samples from normal humans and humans with SLE), specificity, dilutional linearity, robustness, and stability of sifalimumab in human serum. Quantitation of sifalimumab at levels of 3.0 and 36.0 pg/mL was not affected in the presence of 2 ng/mL interferon alpha target.
1.4. Measurement of Anti-sifalimumab Antibodies in Human Serum Samples Using a Validated, Sensitive ECL Method [0254] An ECL, solution-phase, bridging immunoassay that employs Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) technology was developed and validated for the detection, confirmation and titration of anti-sifalimumab antibodies in human serum. In the method, biotinylated sifalimumab and ruthenylated sifalimumab were incubated overnight with human serum samples. Because of the bivalent nature of antibodies, a portion of anti-sifalimumab antibodies (ADA) present in the sample bound to both conjugated forms of sifalimumab at the same time. Subsequently, samples were incubated on a streptavidin-coated MSD plate for capture of the ADA-bridged complexes.

[0255] The plate was then washed to remove unbound materials, read buffer was added and the plate was placed on the MSD SectorTM Imager for generation and measurement of ECL response. Application of an electrical current to the electrode-containing plate caused the ruthenium chelate conjugated to sifalimumab to emit light in the presence of the tripropylamine-containing read buffer. Samples that contained ADA bound to both biotin and ruthenium conjugated forms of sifalimumab generated ECL signals. The signal intensity, measured by the MSD Sector Imager, was proportional to the amount of anti-sifalimumab antibodies present in the sample.

[0256] The method employed pooled normal human serum as the negative control and pooled normal human serum spiked with a goat anti-sifalimumab idiotype antibody (surrogate control) at two levels above detection (3.0 and ng/mL) as positive controls. The presence of anti- sifalimumab antibodies was determined relative to a cutoff ECL value that was calculated for each plate as the mean response of 6-8 wells of the negative control multiplied by a 1.18 cut point factor. The 1.18 cut point factor was established during validation from measurements of serum samples obtained from 50 normal individuals and was statistically determined to provide a 5% false positive rate. Samples that measured at or above the cut point ECL value were considered as potential positives for anti-sifalimumab antibodies and were retested in a confirmatory (specificity) assay, both in the absence and presence of excess (300 g/mL) sifalimumab.

[0257] The confirmatory cut point was established during method validation using the percent inhibition measurements of the above-mentioned samples tested both in the absence and presence of excess (300 g/mL) sifalimumab. The confirmatory cut point was statistically determined to provide a 0.1% false positive rate and was determined to be 27.0%. The screening cut point factor and confirmatory cut point for SLE serum samples were evaluated using the measured values of serum samples from fifty individual SLE patients and were calculated to be 1.23% and 37.1%, respectively. Study samples were considered positive for anti-sifalimumab antibodies if the percent inhibition of response in the presence of excess sifalimumab was greater than or equal to 27%, the more conservative confirmatory cut point. Confirmed positive samples were then measured in a titer assay.

[0258] Titers were performed by serially diluting samples with negative control serum and were reported as the reciprocal of the highest 1:2 dilution (over the 1:10 minimum required sample dilution) that measured positive in the assay, before returning a negative response. Titer values for negative samples were reported as <10. Method validation met the acceptance criteria for accuracy and precision of classification and titer, intermediate precision, repeatability, robustness, linearity of dilution, specificity of detection and analyte stability in human serum. Assay sensitivity was estimated using the polyclonal goat anti-sifalimumab antibody surrogate control as well as a monoclonal anti-sifalimumab antibody of known affinity (Kd=1.30 nM). The approximate concentration of anti-sifalimumab antibody at the cut point was 0.2 ng/mL for the polyclonal antibody and 4.7 ng/mL for the monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal anti-sifalimumab antibody levels of 250-500 ng/mL and polyclonal anti-sifalimumab antibody levels of 500 ng/mL were detectable in serum containing 100 pg/mL of sifalimumab.
(provide temperature at which experiments were conducted).
1.5 Data Analysis [0259] Pharmacokinetic concentrations were analyzed using non-compartmental methods in WinNonlin (version 5.2.1 Pharsight, Cary, NC).
2. Results 2.1. Pharmacokinetics [0260] Serum sifalimumab PK results following the first dose and after the last dose on Day 182 are summarized in TABLE 2 and TABLE 3, respectively. After the first dose, sifalimumab peak plasma concentration (Cõx), area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to end of dosing interval (AUCT) and trough concentration (Ctrough) 1 increased dose-proportionally (TABLE 2).
Cmax values ranged from 10.90 g/mL for the 0.3 mg/kg dosage to 229.74 g/mL for the 10 mg/kg dosage. AUCT values ranged from 79.39 g.day/mL for the 0.3 mg/kg dosage to 1,610 g.day/mL for the 10 mg/kg dosage. Ctrough values ranged from 2.75 g/mL for the 0.3 mg/kg dosage to 51.52 g/mL for the 10 mg/kg dosage.

Serum Sifalimumab PK Parameters Following the First Dose Parameter 0.3 mg/kg IV 1 mg/kg IV 3 mg/kg IV
10mg/kg IV
T (day) 0.074 (56.5) 0.079 (53.7) 0.088 (51.6) 0.092 (45.2) max C (pg/mL) 10.90 (37.4) 31.89 (35.2) 103.34 (37.9) 229.74 (38.6) max AUCT (pg=day/mL) 79.39 (31.5) 220.9 (30.9) 739.4 (36.6) 1610 (39.2) C (pg/mL) 2.75 (30.5) 8.01 (52.2) 23.43 (47.5) 51.52 (46.9) trough Data presented as mean (%CV). the %Cv is calculated as the Standard deviation/mean*100 for the evaluable subjects.

[0261] Steady state trough concentrations at each one of the tested doses was achieved in 3 months (FIG. 1, TABLE 3). Represented in the graph in FIG. 1 is the mean and standard deviation value for the nominal time point (scheduled blood draw) of available patients. If the value was below the limit of quantification, the value was treated as missing. Plotted values appear in TABLE 9.

[0262] Steady state peak plasma concentration (Cmax ss) values ranged from 17.74 g/mL for the 0.3 mg/kg dosage to 441.79 g/mL for the 10 mg/kg dosage.
Steady state area under the plasma concentration-time curve within a dosing interval (AUCT SS) values ranged from 143.2 g.day/mL for the 0.3 mg/kg dosage to 3,403 g.day/mL for the 10 mg/kg dosage. Steady state trough concentration (Ctrough õ) values ranged from 7.89 g/mL for the 0.3 mg/kg dosage to 183.97 g/mL for the 10 mg/kg dosage.

[0263] After the last dose on Day 182, the mean steady state clearance (CLss) ranged from 185 to 238 mL/day, mean terminal half-life ranged from 20 to 29 days across the dosing groups, and steady state volume of distribution (Vss) ranged from 5 to 6 L across the dosing groups (TABLE 3).

Serum Sifalimumab PK Parameters After Last Dose on Day 182 Parameter 0.3 mg/kg IV 1 mg/kg IV 3 mg/kg IV 10 mg/kg IV
T (day) 0.17 (252.0) 0.07 (59.6) 0.13 (152.2) 0.23 (256.3) max ss C (pg/mL) 17.74 (38.7) 48.08 (38.9) 153.07 (51.3) 441.79 (34.7) max ss AUCT SS (pg=day/mL) 143.2 (37.6) 401.8 (47.1) 1188 (55.1) 3403 (25.4) (pg/mL) 7.89 (36.6) 19.58 (52.2) 50.06 (47.8) 183.97 (49.4) ctrough ss Half-life (day) 29.1 (47.4) 23.4 (34.9) 19.9 (29.8) 21.9 (30.7) CL (mL/day) 185 (46.3) 233 (49.4) 220 (38.3) 238 (34.1) ss Vss (L) 6.30 (40.0) 6.35 (45.2) 5.02 (40.1) 5.58 (29.0) Data presented as mean (CV%).
2.2. Immunogenicity [0264] Twenty-seven out of 121 patients (22.3 %) receiving investigational product and one out of 40 patients (2.5%) receiving placebo tested positive for presence of anti-sifalimumab antibodies. Three out of 26 patients receiving 0.3 mg/kg doses of sifalimubab (11% incidence) (FIG. 2A), seven out of 25 patients receiving 1 mg/kg doses (28% incidence) (FIG. 2B), seven out of 27 patients receiving 3 mg/kg doses (25.9% incidence) (FIG. 2C), and ten out of 43 patients receiving 10 mg/kg doses (23.3% incidence) (FIG. 2D) tested positive for the presence of anti-sifalimumab antibodies. Positive titer values ranged from 10 to 1280, 17 subjects at or below 80, indicating low titers of anti-sifalimumab antibody (FIG. 3).

[0265] The presence of anti-sifalimumab antibodies did not have an impact on sifalimumab clearance (FIG. 4). Accordingly, sifalimumab had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile at the doses tested.
3. Conclusion [0266] Sifalimumab PK was linear and dose-proportional following intravenous administration over the dose range of 0.3 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. Serum clearance, volume of distribution and terminal half-life of sifalimumab were representative of a monoclonal antibody without a significant antigen sink.
The overall incidence of anti-sifalimumab antibodies was 22% with positive titers ranging from 10 to 1280. The presence of anti-sifalimumab antibody did not have an impact on the pharmacokinetics of sifalimumab.
Example 2 Population Pharmacokinetics of Sifalimumab in SLE Patients [0267] The primary objectives of this analysis were to (a) model the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of sifalimumab; (b) to identify and quantitate the impact of patient/disease characteristics on PK variability; and (c) to evaluate fixed versus body weight based dosing regimens.

[0268] Dosing based on fixed-body weight is uncommon, as most biologics are dosed based on body weight. But for an anti-Her2 antibody, the PK data suggested fixed dosing might be possible. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No.
7,449,184.
Whether the PK data would support fixed dosing for sifalimumab was uncertain because the body weight of the clinical trial subjects spanned 43 kg to 120 kg.
Moreover, unlike the Her2 antibody discussed in U.S. Patent No. 7,449,184, sifalimumab binds multiple targets whose expression may vary among patients, and thus has a potentially more complex PK profile 1. Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis Methodology [0269]
Sifalimumab serum concentration-time data were collected from the study described in Example 1. Sifalimumab serum concentrations were determined with the validated colorimetric ELISA described in Example 1. A non-linear mixed-effect modeling approach was used to analyze sifalimumab pharmacokinetic data. The population pharmacokinetic modeling was performed using NONMEM Version VII software (Globomax LLC, Ellicott City, MD, USA), G-Fortran (http://gcc.gnu.org/fortran/) and Perl-speaks-NONMEM (PSN) (http://psn.sourceforge.net/). Data management and graphical analyses were performed using S-plus 8.1 (TIBCO Spotfire, Somerville, MA, USA), Xpose 4.0 (University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden) and R 2.7.1 (http://cran.r-project.org/) software. The various steps involved in the modeling processes are described below.

[0270] A series of structural models were evaluated for sifalimumab based on Akaike information criteria (AIC) value, objective function values, precision, plausibility of parameter estimates, and goodness-of-fit plots. The between-subject variability in pharmacokinetic parameters was assumed to follow a log-normal distribution and was modeled using exponential functions. The residual variability was evaluated using homoscedastic (additive), heteroscedastic (proportional), or combined proportional and additive models. The precision of the population estimates was evaluated based on percent relative standard errors (RSEs).

[0271] After the structural model was identified, covariate model-building was carried out to assess the effect of patient/disease characteristics on the pharmacokinetic parameters. Various patient/disease characteristics including age, gender, ethnicity, region, body weight (WT), baseline steroid use (BSTEROID), baseline systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity Index (BSLEDAI) score, baseline gene signature from 21 genes (BGENE21) and baseline gene signature from 4 genes (BGENE4) were evaluated.

[0272] A preliminary assessment of covariate influence was conducted using generalized additive modeling (GAM) approach as implemented in Xpose (Jonsson et al, 1999). Based on GAM results and mechanistic understanding of sifalimumab disposition, the relevant covariates for each parameter were further tested using NONMEM for their significance. The model building was carried out using step-wise forward addition (p<0.05) (8,0FV > 3.84), approach followed by backward elimination (p<0.01) (8,0FV > 6.63) process. The covariates were included in the final model if p-value <0.01 (8,0FV > 6.63), provided the covariates were reasonable based on the pharmacology of sifalimumab.

[0273] Improvement in the model at each step was assessed using following criteria: (a) reduction in objective function value; (b) improvement in agreement between the observed and population/individual predicted serum concentrations;

(c) reduction in between and within-subject variability; (d) reduction in the range of weighted residuals; (e) uniformity of the distribution of weighted residuals versus the predicted concentrations around the line of identity; and (f) improvement in parameter precision. All models were run using the first order conditional estimation (FOCE) with interaction method.

[0274] The relationship between continuous covariates and pharmacokinetic parameters were modeled using non-linear power functions [equation (1)] with the covariate normalized to the population median for the data set. The categorical covariates were modeled using fractional change functions [equation (2)].
r COV `82 P = Oix (1) Median) P = Oix (1+ 92 X CO V) (2) [0275] Where the es are the parameters to be estimated and 01 represents the typical value of pharmacokinetic parameter (P) in an individual with the median value for the covariate. 02 represents the coefficient for particular covariate effect.

[0276] The performance of the final population pharmacokinetic model was evaluated using visual predictive check (VPC), a technique whereby model appropriateness is tested by means of comparing prediction intervals (Pis) of the observed data to simulation data using final model.

[0277] The impact of body-weight based and fixed dosing of sifalimumab was evaluated by comparing predicted steady state serum concentrations (Cõ) and variability using population model. A population of 1000 SLE subjects were simulated using covariates (demographic, BGENE21, BSTEROID) distribution form study MI-CP152. The population model was also utilized for predicting pharmacokinetic exposure following various fixed intravenous doses of sifalimumab to support phase II dosing.
2. Results 2.1 Data [0278] A total of 120 patients provided evaluable PK data with a total of 2,370 serum concentrations (average of 20 samples per patient). One subject from the mg/kg cohort was excluded from the analysis due to very low observed serum concentrations compared to the average concentrations in the 10 mg/kg cohort.
TABLE 4 lists the summary of patient characteristics included in the pharmacokinetic database. A total of 8 subjects (6.67%) did not have baseline gene signature (4 genes) information available; hence a population median value was imputed for these subjects.
2.2 Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling [0279] A 2-compartment model was used to fit sifalimumab concentration-time data. The model was parameterized using clearance (CL), central volume of distribution (Vc), peripheral volume of distribution (Vp) and the inter-compartmental clearance (Q). The multiplicative covariate modeling approach was used to study the influence of various covariates including age, gender, ethnicity, region, WT, BSTEROID, BSLEDAI, BGENE21 and BGENE4.

[0280] The final model functions for typical value of CL, Vc, Vp and Q are presented as follows (equations 3-6).
BGENE21`96 r Doset97 i CL = al x ¨ x _______________________ x _________________________ x 0_ +
0,x BSTEROID) (3) 75 i 32 i 1 i V c= 02X
75 i , WTt9"
V p= 03X
75 i Q = 04 (6) [0281] Where el is the typical CL of a standard subject with WT=75 kg, BGENE21=32, Dose=1 mg/kg and BSTEROID=0. 02 and 03 represent the Vc and Vp of a standard subject with WT=75 kg, respectively. 05 to 010 are the exponents of covariate effect on respective pharmacokinetic parameters.

[0282] The final population pharmacokinetic parameters are presented in TABLE
5. The estimated values of CL, Vc, Vp and Q for a standard subject were about 176 mL/day, 2.9 L, 2.12 L and 171 mL/day, respectively. The estimates of between-subject variability (CVs) associated with CL, Vc, Vp and Q were 28%, 31%, 58% and 71%, respectively. All of the pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated with good precision, as reflected by RSEs. The performance of the final model fit is represented by goodness of fit plots as shown in FIG. 5.
These figures, FIG.5 panels (a) and (b), show good agreement between observed and model predicted (population/individual predicted) sifalimumab serum concentrations, as all the points are close to the line of identity and the fitted spline curve almost overlap the line of identity. The plots of weighted residual versus the population predicted concentrations, FIG. 5 panel (c), or time, FIG. 5 panel (d), do not show any obvious pattern. VPC results demonstrated good predictability of the final population PK model as shown in FIG. 6.

[0283] Based on the covariate relationships, higher sifalimumab CL was estimated for subjects with higher baseline type I IFN gene signature (21 genes), body weight, sifalimumab dose and steroid use. Both Vc and Vp also increased with increase in baseline body weight. Although the above mentioned covariates were identified as statistically significant covariates, they did not substantially explain inter-individual variability (<7%) in CL, Vc and Vp. This means that a decrease or increase in concentrations in individual patients in a dose group is not governed by body weight since a minimal magnitude of the overall variability in concentrations is explained by body weight. Hence no dosing modifications are necessary to administer sifalimumab.
2.2.1 Comparison of Fixed (mg) Versus Body weight Based (mg/kg) Dosing [0284] The impact of fixed versus body weight based dosing was evaluated by comparing 200 mg (fixed) with 3 mg/kg (body weight based) every 14-days dosing of sifalimumab in a simulated SLE population of 1000 subjects. The body weight distribution (43 kg -120 kg) from MI-CP152 was used for the simulations.
The final population PK model was used to predict 5th, median and 95th percentile concentration-time profiles. Simulation results demonstrate that both fixed and body weight based dosing regimens yield similar median steady state concentrations (Css) and variability as shown in FIG. 7.
2.2.2 Predicted Serum Concentrations [0285] The final population PK model was used to predict PK profiles following 200, 600, and 1200 mg monthly (with an additional dose at Day 14) dose of sifalimumab in a simulated SLE population of 1000 subjects. The predicted PK
profiles (median, 5th and 95th percentiles) are shown in FIG 8. The expected steady state PK parameters following 200, 600, and 1200 mg monthly (with an additional dose at Day 14) dose of sifalimumab are presented in TABLE 6.
Predicted PK exposure in 40 kg patient and 120 kg patients, at 5th and 95th percentile, appear in TABLE 11.

Patient demographic characteristics and pharmacodynamic biomarkers Categorical Variables No. of Categories Percentag Patients e (%) (N) Treatment 26 0.3 21.7 Cohort (mg/kg) 25 1 20.8 27 3 22.5 Sex 6 1 (Male) 5 114 2 (Female) 95 Region 85 1 (North America) 70.8 35 2 (South America) 29.2 BSTEROID 32 0 (no) 26.7 88 1 (yes) 73.3 Continuous Variables No. of Mean SD Median Range Patients (N) WT (kg) 120 76 19 73 43.1-120 Age (yr) 120 42 11 43 18-71 BGENE21 120 32 24 33 0.63-87 BGENE4 120 81 87 56 0.26-337 BSTEROID = Baseline steroid use; WT = Baseline body weight; BSLEDAI = Baseline SLEDAI
Scores; BGENE21 = Baseline gene signature for 21 genes; BGENE4 = Baseline gene signature for 4 genes;

Population pharmacokinetic parameters of sifalimumab from the final model Parameter (unit) Typical value Between-subject (RSE, %) Variability, CV% (RSE, %) CL, std {el} (L/day) 0.176 (7) 28 (13) Vc, sta {02} (L) 2.90(3) 31 (19) Vp, sta 1031 (L) 2.12(6) 58(35) Q (L/day) 0.171 (12) 71 (33) Exponent: WT on CL 051 0.481 (6) Exponent: BGENE21 on CL 0.0558 (33) Exponent: Dose on CL {07} 0.0542 (17) Exponent: BSTEROID on CL 0.195 (38) Exponent: WT on Vp {09} 0.489 (17) Exponent: WT on Vp 0.646 (16) Correlation between CL and Vp 0.557 (21) Correlation between Vc and Vp 0.131 (8) Residual error (CV, %) 27.5 (8) CL = Linear clearance; Vp = Central volume of distribution; Vp = Peripheral volume of distribution; Q = Inter-compartmental clearance; BGENE21 = Baseline gene signature for 21 genes; BSTEROID = Baseline steroid use (0=no and 1=yes); WT = Baseline body weight; CV =
Coefficient of variance.
CL, std = Clearance of a standard subject with WT=75 kg, BGENE21=32, Dose=1 mg/kg and BSTEROID=0; Vc, std = Central volume of distribution for a standard subject with WT=75 kg; Vp, std = Peripheral volume of distribution for a standard subject with WT=75 kg.

Sifalimumab Predicted Mean Steady State Parameters Cmax,ss Cmin,ss AUC,ss Dosing Regimen (pg/mL) (pg/mL) (pg*day/mL) 200 mg LD(D14)+ QM] 89 18 1110 600 mg LD(D14)+ QM] 268 53 3329 1200 mg LD(D14)+ QM] 536 106 6659 LD = Loading dose; QM = Every 28 days.
3. Conclusions [0286] Sifalimumab PK was best described using a 2-compartment linear model with first order elimination. Following IV dosing, the typical clearance (CL) and central volume of distribution (Vc) were estimated to be 176 mL/day and 2.9 L, respectively. The estimates of between-subject variability for CL and Vc were 28% and 31%, respectively. Patient baseline body weight, IFN gene signature (21 genes), steroid use and sifalimumab dose were identified as significant covariates for CL, whereas only baseline body weight was significant covariate for Vc and Vp. Surprisingly, the above mentioned covariates were statistically significant, but they did not explain variability in sifalimumab PK parameters to any relevant extent. Thus leads to the conclusion that no weight-based dosing adjustments are necessary to administer sifalimumab. VPC results demonstrated good predictability of the final population PK model.

[0287] Simulation results demonstrated that both fixed and body weight based dosing regimens yield similar median steady state concentrations (Cõ) and variability. Accordingly, fixed sifalimumab doses of 200, 600 and 1200 mg monthly (with a loading dose at day 14) are selected for phase II clinical trial.

[0288] A population PK model of sifalimumab was developed and validated.
The population PK analysis also demonstrated the feasibility of evaluating fixed doses of sifalimumab in phase II clinical trials.
Example 3 Pharmacokinetics and Immunogenicity of Single and Multiple Fixed Dosing Regimens of Sifalimumab Administered Subcutaneously to SLE Patients [0289] The pharmacokinetics (PK) and immunogenicity (IM) of single and multiple subcutaneous (SC) fixed doses of sifalimumab administered to adult patients with moderate to severe SLE was studied in a phase II clinical trial.
1. Methods 1.1 Study design [0290] This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase I la parallel study with 5 evaluable arms (1:1:2:2:2 ratio).

[0291] Criteria for inclusion of subjects receiving the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof subcutaneously are summarized in clinical trial identifier NCT00657189, accessible via the U.S. National Institutes of Health clinicaltrials.gov database. Thus, inclusion criteria comprise: Male or female subjects were over 18 years and below 95 years of age at the time of the first dose of study drug; subjects met at least 4 of the 11 revised ACR
classification criteria for SLE; subjects had positive antinuclear antibody test (ANA) at 1:80 serum dilution documented in the past or at screening; subjects had at least 1 system with a score of A or 2 systems with a score of B on the BILAG index at screening, or have a SELENA-SLEDAI score 6; and treatment for SLE with antimalarials, oral prednisone or another systemic corticosteroid, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, leflunomide, azathioprine, or dapsone.

[0292] Exclusion Criteria comprised: having received MEDI-545 within 120 days prior to screening; history of allergy or reaction to any component of the study drug formulation; having received the following medications within 28 days before randomization: systemic cyclophosphamide at any dose, cyclosporine at any dose, thalidomide at any dose, hydroxychloroquine > 600 mg/day, mycophenolate mofetil > 3 g/day, methotrexate > 25 mg/week, azathioprine > 3 mg/kg/day; having received fluctuating doses of the following within 28 days before randomization: antimalarials, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, leflunomide, azathioprine, dapsone; having received leflunomide > 20mg/day in the 6 months prior to Study Day 0; having received prednisone > 20 mg/day or in fluctuating doses within 14 days before randomization; having received fluctuating doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within 14 days before randomization; treatment with any investigational drug therapy within 28 days before randomization into the study, B cell-depleting therapies within 12 months before randomization, or biologic therapies within 30 days or 5 half-lives of the biologic agent, whichever is longer, before randomization into the study; in the investigator's opinion, evidence of clinically significant active infection, including ongoing, chronic infection, within 28 days before randomization; a history of severe viral infection as judged by the investigators, including severe infections of either cytomegalovirus or the herpes family such as disseminated herpes, herpes encephalitis, ophthalmic herpes; herpes zoster infection within 3 months before randomization; evidence of infection with hepatitis B or C virus, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 or HIV-2, or active infection with hepatitis A, as determined by results of testing at screening; vaccination with live attenuated viruses within 28 days before randomization; pregnancy (women, unless surgically sterile or at least 2 years post-menopausal, had a negative serum pregnancy test within 28 days before receiving the study drug and a negative urine pregnancy test on days of study drug administration before receiving the study drug); breastfeeding or lactating women; history of primary immunodeficiency; history of alcohol or drug abuse < 1 year prior to randomization; history of cancer (except basal cell carcinoma or in situ carcinoma of the cervix treated with apparent success with curative therapy > 1 year prior to randomization); history of active tuberculosis (TB) infection or newly positive TB
skin test (defined as a reaction 10 mm in diameter if not on systemic immunosuppressive medication or 5 mm if on systemic immunosuppressive medication history of latent TB infection without completion of an appropriate course of treatment; elective surgery planned from the time of screening through Study Day 168; at screening blood tests (within 28 days before randomization), any of the following (i) AST > 2.5 x upper limit of the normal range (ULN), unless caused by SLE, 9 (ii) ALT > 2.5 x ULN, unless caused by SLE, (iii) Creatinine >
4.0 mg/dL, (iv) Neutrophils < 1,500/mm3, (v) Platelet count < 50,000/mm3;
history of any disease, evidence of any current disease (other than SLE), any finding upon physical examination, or any laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator or medical monitor, may compromise the safety of the subject in the study or confound the analysis of the study.

[0293] The inclusion and exclusion criteria listed above are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art would understand that other inclusion and/or exclusion parameters may be used to generate a subject population such that the choice of subject does not compromise the safety of the subject or confounds the analysis of the study.

[0294] Patients were administered up to 13 doses of either sifalimumab or placebo. Placebo was administered to 22 patients. Eleven patients received a single SC 100 mg fixed dose of sifalimumab. Twenty-one patients received a monthly SC 100 mg fixed dose of sifalimumab, with the last dose being administered on Day 84. Twenty-three patients received biweekly SC 100 mg fixed doses of sifalimumab, with the last dose being administered on Day 84.
Ten patients received weekly SC 100 mg fixed doses of sifalimumab, with the last dose being administered on Day 84. Serum samples were collected for PK
concentrations and IM titers at multiple time points.

[0295] Samples were analyzed for PK and IM using respectively the validated ELISA and ECL assays described in Example 1.
1.2 Data Analysis [0296] Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained using non-compartmental methods using WinNonlin (version 5.2.1 Pharsight, Cary, NC).
2. Results 2.1 Single Dose Administration [0297] Results corresponding to the administration of a single 100 mg fixed dose of sifalimumab are summarized in TABLE 7 and FIG. 9 (.). Peak concentrations of sifalimumab occurred approximately 1 week after SC administration. Mean apparent extravascular clearance (CL/F) was approximately 275 mL/day.
Elimination half-life was approximately 25 days. Plotted values appear in TABLE
10.
2.2 Multiple Dose Administration [0298] Results corresponding to the administration of multiple 100 mg fixed doses of sifalimumab are summarized in TABLE 8, and FIG. 9 (weekly., bi-weekly A, or monthly V). Cmax ss and Ctrough ss increased with dosing frequency.
Accumulation of AUC and trough concentrations was 11-and 6-fold, respectively, for weekly administration. Steady state AUC for multiple dose groups was similar to AUC after a single dose. Mean apparent extravascular steady state clearance (CLõ/F) ranged from 206 to 282 mL/day across the dosing groups. Mean half-life ranged from 28 to 33 days. Apparent volume of distribution during terminal phase after non-intravenous administration (Vz/F) ranged from 8 L to 11 L.
2.3 Immunogenicity [0299] Eight out of 65 patients (12.3%) receiving investigational product tested positive for presence of anti-sifalimumab antibodies (FIG. 10). There was no increase in incidence of immunogenicity across dosing regimens. Two out of 22 patients receiving placebo (9.1%) were M+, i.e., they tested positive for the presence of anti-sifalimumab antibodies (titer range 10 to 40). None of the eleven patients receiving a single dose of sifalimumab were M. In contrast, three out of ten patients following a monthly dosing regime (30%) were M+ (titer range 20 to 160), three out of 23 patients following a bi-weekly dosing regime (13%) were M+
(titer range 20 to 160) and two out of 21 patients (9.5%) following a weekly dosing regime (9.5%) were M+ (titer range 20 to 320).

[0300] Presence of anti-sifalimumab antibody did not impact serum concentration-time profiles of sifalimumab. Sifalimumab had a safety/tolerability profile similar to that of placebo at the SC doses tested.
2.4 Effect on IFN Gene Signature [0301] Pharmacodynamics (PD) markers can be used in methods of treating patients with a therapeutic agent that binds to and modulates IFN-alpha activity such as sifalimumab. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Appl. No. 2010-0143372, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Specifically, Example 7 in the 2010-0143372 publication describes 21 genes that can be used as PD
markers: IF144, IF127, IF144L, NAPTP, LAMP3, LY6E, RSAD2, HERC5, IF16, ISG15, 0A53, RTP4, IFIT1, MX1, SIGLEC1, 0A52, USP18, OAS1, EPSTI1, PLSCR1 and IFRG28. Additionally, the 2010-0143372 publication provides methods for how to measure the levels of these 21 gene markers, e.g., Affymetrix arrays and Fluidigm dynamic arrays.

[0302] Only the once-weekly dose of sifalimumab generated a sufficient PK
exposure to induce a sustained IFN gene signature decrease over time (FIG.
11).
In particular, weekly dosing produced suppression of the gene signature up to 40%.
3. Conclusion [0303] Comparison of pharmacokinetic exposures of sifalimumab to previous intravenous studies indicated SC bioavailability of approximately 75%. PK of sifalimumab following SC administration was linear and dose-proportional.
Pharmacokinetic parameters of sifalimumab following SC dosing were typical of a monoclonal antibody without a significant target sink. The overall incidence of anti-sifalimumab antibodies was 12%, however, the presence of anti-sifalimumab antibody did not impact the pharmacokinetics of sifalimumab.

Sifalimumab Single Dose PK Parameters Parameter Single 100 mg SC Dose (n = 10) T (day) 5.78 (62.2) max C (pg/mL) 12.68 (68.4) max AUC (pg=day/mL) 420.6 (58.3) last AUC (pg=day/mL) 477.6 (57.2) AUC Extrapolation (`)/0) 12.5 (33.2) CL/F (mL/day) 275 (57.0) Half-life (day) 24.6 (37.8) V /F (L) 8.32 (38.4) Data from PK evaluable patients presented as mean (%CV).

Sifalimumab Multiple Dose PK Parameters Parameter 100 mg SC Weekly 100 mg SC Bi-weekly 100 mg SC Monthly (n = 8) (n = 6) (n = 6) T (day) 4.29 (51.6) 4.30 (59.0) 5.64 (35.9) max ss C (pg/mL) 65.05 (42.7) 39.10 (24.2) 23.96 (39.8) max ss AUC (pg=day/mL) 442.7 (44.0) 495.2 (14.4) 483.1 (32.6) T SS
(pg/mL) 58.80 (36.2) 30.10 (31.7) 10.64 (39.6) trough ss CL /F (mL/day) 282 (40.4) 206 (16.5) 227 (33.1) ss Half-life (day) 28.2 (22.8) 28.2 (32.7) 33.3 (41.6) V /F (L) 11.1 (36.9) 8.19(26.7) 11.0(51.9) Data from PK evaluable patients presented as mean (CV%).
Parameters calculated after dosing on Day 84 o t.., =
,-, t.., ,-, cA
Variable = PKConc w cA
--.1 STUDYID

NomTime TRTGRP 0.00 0.04 0.08 9.00 13.00 14.00 28.00 42.00 47.00 56 MEDI-545 0.3 MG/KG
N 32 26 26 Missing Missing 25 26 24 Missing 24 Mean 0.000 10.092 9.263 Missing Missing 2.367 4.315 4.750 Missing 5.995 n SD
0.000 4.493 4.263 Missing Missing 1.208 2.264 2.442 Missing 3.223 o 1.) Min 0.00 0.00 0.00 Missing Missing 0.00 0.00 1.44 Missing 1.69 co us) Median 0.000 10.185 8.405 Missing Missing 2.470 3.920 4.345 Missing 5.785 o, ko Max 0.00 22.67 22.01 Missing Missing 4.91 9.04 11.01 Missing 11.76 1.) o, CV% Missing 44.5 46.0 Missing Missing 51.0 52.5 51.4 Missing 53.7 1.) o Geometric Mean Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing 4.210 Missing 5.134 usil-MEDI-545 1.0 MG/KG1 H
H
N 26 25 25 Missing Missing 24 24 23 Missing 23 1 1.) Mean 0.867 29.361 28.199 Missing Missing 7.957 14.178 15.378 Missing 18.247 o SD
3.991 13.410 8.008 Missing Missing 4.103 10.808 6.272 Missing 7.277 Min 0.00 0.00 16.85 Missing Missing 3.38 6.02 6.13 Missing 7.92 Median 0.000 28.320 26.070 Missing Missing 6.765 11.195 13.970 Missing 18.290 Max 20.32 66.43 51.65 Missing Missing 19.12 59.58 27.48 Missing 35.22 CV% 460.6 45.7 28.4 Missing Missing 51.6 76.2 40.8 Missing 39.9 Geometric Mean Missing Missing 27.206 Missing Missing 7.137 12.106 14.116 Missing 16.884 IV
n MEDI-545 10.0 MG/KG

N 44 43 43 1 Missing 40 38 39 Missing 36 ri) Mean 0.000 210.824 217.006 66.260 Missing 53.094 80.863 90.803 Missing 110.835 n.) o 1-, SD
0.000 85.935 84.895 Missing Missing 25.827 40.513 43.404 Missing 47.480 n.) Min 0.00 14.47 14.53 66.26 Missing 8.12 17.45 27.43 Missing 3.51 c.") o Median 0.000 211.670 227.300 66.260 Missing 51.595 72.860 83.950 Missing 102.605 o Max 0.00 379.16 382.56 66.26 Missing 114.52 174.90 178.60 Missing 210.80 oe CV% Missing 40.8 39.1 Missing Missing 48.6 50.1 47.8 Missing 42.8 Geometric Mean Missing 185.949 191.651 66.260 Missing 46.223 70.749 80.733 Missing 95.020 0 n.) MEDI-545 3.0 MG/KG
o 1-, n.) Missing Missing 24 25 26 Missing 27 o Mean 0.000 99.292 96.112 Missing Missing 22.367 28.007 40.381 Missing 43.022 i..) SD
0.000 41.106 37.254 Missing Missing 10.808 15.212 22.740 Missing 23.770 o --.1 Min 0.00 35.90 28.39 Missing Missing 6.79 5.66 12.43 Missing 12.31 Median 0.000 94.830 95.100 Missing Missing 20.050 28.190 32.905 Missing 38.180 Max 0.00 184.95 178.54 Missing Missing 47.56 70.64 98.31 Missing 116.83 CV% Missing 41.4 38.8 Missing Missing 48.3 54.3 56.3 Missing 55.3 Geometric Mean Missing 90.440 88.707 Missing Missing 19.868 24.042 34.986 Missing 37.837 I TRTGRP 70.00 84.00 96.00 98.00 112.00 113.00 121.00 126.00 140.00 141.00 154.00 n MEDI-545 0.3 MG/KG
o 24 23 Missing 23 23 Missing 1 23 23 Missing 23 co"
6.080 6.710 Missing 6.498 6.733 Missing 0.000 6.930 6.231 Missing 6.256 us) o, ko 3.522 4.656 Missing 4.477 3.740 Missing Missing 4.617 3.291 Missing 3.201 1.) o, 0.00 0.00 Missing 0.00 0.00 Missing 0.00 0.00 0.00 Missing 0.00 1.) 5.760 5.580 Missing 5.750 6.220 Missing 0.000 6.490 5.940 Missing 6.670 0 H
12.34 18.66 Missing 18.52 15.04 Missing 0.00 20.12 13.76 Missing 13.66 us) H
57.9 69.4 Missing 68.9 55.6 Missing Missing 66.6 52.8 Missing 51.2 H
I
Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing o"
MEDI-545 1.0 MG/KG
21 23 Missing 22 23 Missing Missing 20 22 Missing 20 18.521 18.665 Missing 19.625 20.676 Missing Missing 22.715 21.077 Missing 20.286 6.361 7.704 Missing 8.486 10.770 Missing Missing 13.577 10.473 Missing 8.708 9.47 3.12 Missing 7.04 5.06 Missing Missing 4.97 4.27 Missing 4.66 19.160 17.720 Missing 18.280 19.550 Missing Missing 19.255 17.815 Missing 19.255 IV
31.94 36.57 Missing 38.25 58.53 Missing Missing 57.11 50.45 Missing 38.43 n ,-i 34.3 41.3 Missing 43.2 52.1 Missing Missing 59.8 49.7 Missing 42.9 17.485 16.812 Missing 17.935 18.372 Missing Missing 19.430 18.714 Missing 18.346 ri) n.) o MEDI-545 10.0 MG/KG
n.) 36 38 Missing 36 37 1 Missing 33 34 Missing 34 -1 133.145 138.676 Missing 138.143 138.298 196.480 Missing 138.248 130.337 Missing 123.058 o o o 66.232 63.355 Missing 82.577 72.621 Missing Missing 72.618 83.074 Missing 86.410 oe 0.00 26.09 Missing 0.00 21.41 196.48 Missing 8.24 5.40 Missing 17.07 117.345 131.150 Missing 141.825 128.690 196.480 Missing 138.630 118.180 Missing 92.300 285.80 270.67 Missing 359.67 446.72 196.48 Missing 293.67 370.79 Missing 379.66 0 n.) 49.7 45.7 Missing 59.8 52.5 Missing Missing 52.5 63.7 Missing 70.2 1-, Missing 123.391 Missing Missing 122.299 196.480 Missing 112.943 96.644 Missing 95.710 n.) 1-, MEDI-545 3.0 MG/KG
o n.) 27 24 Missing 24 27 Missing Missing 23 20 1 21 o --.1 45.782 35.673 Missing 43.089 38.404 Missing Missing 47.260 47.215 97.700 43.872 42.551 22.427 Missing 26.721 20.672 Missing Missing 27.640 19.570 Missing 24.521 14.02 0.00 Missing 5.21 9.31 Missing Missing 10.88 11.29 97.70 5.22 33.990 34.360 Missing 35.770 34.690 Missing Missing 39.060 46.500 97.700 40.240 240.14 114.21 Missing 130.61 82.73 Missing Missing 125.58 80.46 97.70 100.60 92.9 62.9 Missing 62.0 53.8 Missing Missing 58.5 41.4 Missing 55.9 37.292 Missing Missing 35.931 32.839 Missing Missing 40.795 42.532 97.700 36.410 n I TRTGRP 155.00 160.00 161.00 168.00 174.00 182.00 182.04 182.08 185.00 189.00 195.00 o 1.) co MEDI-545 0.3 MG/KG
us) lo Missing Missing Missing 23 1 22 21 21 19 20 Missing 1.) o, Missing Missing Missing 6.376 0.000 6.761 16.730 15.117 11.993 9.961 Missing 1.) Missing Missing Missing 2.757 Missing 2.996 7.995 5.830 4.862 3.371 Missing H
Missing Missing Missing 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.62 4.90 Missing us) I
H
Missing Missing Missing 6.070 0.000 7.425 14.360 14.990 11.540 9.180 Missing H
I
Missing Missing Missing 11.48 0.00 12.35 34.52 27.60 21.90 18.41 Missing o"
Missing Missing Missing 43.2 Missing 44.3 47.8 38.6 40.5 33.8 Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing 11.163 9.466 Missing MEDI-545 1.0 MG/KG
Missing Missing Missing 22 Missing 21 21 21 20 22 Missing Missing Missing Missing 19.994 Missing 18.793 46.214 44.425 32.006 23.439 Missing Missing Missing Missing 11.703 Missing 9.483 18.614 17.557 17.999 13.965 Missing IV
Missing Missing Missing 4.28 Missing 4.58 23.82 17.95 0.00 0.00 Missing n ,-i Missing Missing Missing 18.780 Missing 18.210 36.220 39.590 29.290 20.905 Missing Missing Missing Missing 63.04 Missing 52.00 91.34 83.13 87.45 73.32 Missing ci) n.) o Missing Missing Missing 58.5 Missing 50.5 40.3 39.5 56.2 59.6 Missing n.) Missing Missing Missing 17.440 Missing 16.891 43.063 41.342 Missing Missing Missing -1 MEDI-545 10.0 MG/KG
o o o Missing Missing Missing 35 Missing 34 25 26 32 33 Missing oe Missing Missing Missing 124.736 Missing 127.904 377.440 406.550 230.993 202.535 Missing Missing Missing Missing 85.858 Missing 87.376 123.078 160.702 113.038 105.993 Missing Missing Missing Missing 17.23 Missing 16.04 212.18 223.72 13.58 5.71 Missing 0 n.) Missing Missing Missing 114.870 Missing 116.635 362.740 379.785 246.100 206.640 Missing 1-, Missing Missing Missing 377.85 Missing 318.62 615.91 970.99 465.88 475.09 Missing n.) 1-, Missing Missing Missing 68.8 Missing 68.3 32.6 39.5 48.9 52.3 Missing cA
n.) Missing Missing Missing 96.182 Missing 95.198 358.791 381.682 181.495 155.792 Missing cA
--.1 MEDI-545 3.0 MG/KG
Missing 1 1 22 Missing 20 Missing 2.860 5.580 47.281 Missing 53.743 138.023 140.262 113.571 70.038 20.480 Missing Missing Missing 26.448 Missing 29.582 62.191 74.014 81.401 47.081 Missing Missing 2.86 5.58 6.78 Missing 7.20 51.26 48.40 28.42 19.13 20.48 Missing 2.860 5.580 45.375 Missing 54.155 130.310 114.120 84.925 61.880 20.480 Missing 2.86 5.58 101.36 Missing 122.84 278.99 332.73 317.73 213.48 20.48 n Missing Missing Missing 55.9 Missing 55.0 45.1 52.8 71.7 67.2 Missing Missing 2.860 5.580 38.588 Missing 44.482 124.958 125.412 92.032 57.005 20.480 o 1.) I TRTGRP
co us) o, MEDI-545 0.3 MG/KG 196.00 198.00 201.00 208.00 210.00 238.00 248.00 250.00 266.00 286.00 294.00 ko 1.) o, 1.) 21 Missing Missing 1 20 21 Missing Missing 20 Missing 19 o H
us) 7.353 Missing Missing 3.830 5.156 2.173 Missing Missing 1.283 Missing 0.208 I
H
3.293 Missing Missing Missing 2.264 1.822 Missing Missing 1.411 Missing 0.665 H

0.00 Missing Missing 3.83 2.09 0.00 Missing Missing 0.00 Missing 0.00 1.) o 7.160 Missing Missing 3.830 4.960 1.980 Missing Missing 0.695 Missing 0.000 15.64 Missing Missing 3.83 11.40 5.73 Missing Missing 3.61 Missing 2.67 44.8 Missing Missing Missing 43.9 83.8 Missing Missing 110.0 Missing 319.2 MEDI-545 1.0 MG/KG Missing Missing Missing 3.830 4.708 Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing 22 Missing Missing Missing 22 23 Missing Missing 22 1 21 IV
n 17.751 Missing Missing Missing 9.783 4.345 Missing Missing 1.725 0.000 1.021 10.906 Missing Missing Missing 5.617 3.610 Missing Missing 1.998 Missing 1.253 ci) 0.00 Missing Missing Missing 0.00 0.00 Missing Missing 0.00 0.00 0.00 n.) o 17.665 Missing Missing Missing 10.470 3.520 Missing Missing 1.635 0.000 0.000 n.) 46.89 Missing Missing Missing 21.93 14.35 Missing Missing 7.48 0.00 3.83 -1 61.4 Missing Missing Missing 57.4 83.1 Missing Missing 115.8 Missing 122.7 o MEDI-545 10.0 MG/KG
Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing oe 34 Missing Missing Missing 34 33 Missing 1 32 Missing 33 n.) o 155.799 Missing Missing Missing 76.119 29.602 Missing 0.000 14.674 Missing 6.088 n.) 102.784 Missing Missing Missing 56.379 30.841 Missing Missing 14.029 Missing 7.600 o 3.06 Missing Missing Missing 1.83 0.00 Missing 0.00 0.00 Missing 0.00 n.) 152.500 Missing Missing Missing 66.290 22.090 Missing 0.000 12.210 Missing 4.950 o --.1 388.75 Missing Missing Missing 186.81 147.17 Missing 0.00 62.35 Missing 35.80 66.0 Missing Missing Missing 74.1 104.2 Missing Missing 95.6 Missing 124.8 I TRTGRP
103.647 Missing Missing Missing 47.904 Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing Missing MEDI-545 3.0 MG/KG 196.00 198.00 201.00 208.00 210.00 238.00 248.00 250.00 266.00 286.00 294.00 20 Missing 1 Missing 18 21 1 Missing 20 Missing 18 48.320 Missing 4.400 Missing 27.488 11.900 8.160 Missing 5.619 Missing 2.422 n 24.729 Missing Missing Missing 13.932 9.746 Missing Missing 6.392 Missing 2.917 o 1.) 10.74 Missing 4.40 Missing 5.70 0.00 8.16 Missing 0.00 Missing 0.00 co us) 48.405 Missing 4.400 Missing 28.060 9.800 8.160 Missing 4.300 Missing 2.025 o, ko 86.53 Missing 4.40 Missing 59.11 38.62 8.16 Missing 22.83 Missing 12.24 51.2 Missing Missing Missing 50.7 81.9 Missing Missing 113.8 Missing 120.5 1.) o 41.052 Missing 4.400 Missing 23.762 Missing 8.160 Missing Missing Missing Missing H
us) I
H
H
I
IV

STUDYID

n NomTime ci) n.) =
1-, Missing Missing 9 8 8 n.) -I
Mean 0.000 11.552 9.242 9.115 7.336 5.723 5.257 Missing Missing 4.779 4.063 3.409 c,.) o o SD 0.000 9.161 2.224 4.420 4.496 2.871 2.478 Missing Missing 2.137 2.063 2.039 o oe Min 0.00 3.31 5.14 4.36 3.15 1.37 3.14 Missing Missing 2.54 1.51 1.27 Median 0.000 9.795 9.620 8.690 6.430 4.885 3.670 Missing Missing 4.390 4.055 3.095 Max 0.00 36.69 12.37 19.58 18.16 10.96 9.35 Missing Missing 8.03 7.43 6.52 0 n.) CV% Missing 79.3 24.1 48.5 61.3 50.2 47.1 Missing Missing 44.7 50.8 59.8 1-, Geometric Mean Missing 9.629 8.974 8.295 6.381 5.016 4.797 Missing Missing 4.356 3.588 2.846 n.) 1-, o n.) Missing 1 16 18 18 o --.1 Mean 0.000 8.543 9.785 16.541 21.436 27.827 31.182 Missing 13.190 36.984 37.237 36.583 SD 0.000 5.164 4.193 6.037 7.204 10.194 13.329 Missing Missing 14.132 16.891 17.258 Min 0.00 2.14 4.40 8.66 8.43 13.58 7.25 Missing 13.19 18.50 7.69 5.86 Median 0.000 7.480 9.570 17.570 20.890 26.440 29.665 Missing 13.190 34.045 34.080 35.655 Max 0.00 21.87 22.28 27.21 34.33 50.09 54.36 Missing 13.19 59.08 64.61 74.60 CV% Missing 60.4 42.9 36.5 33.6 36.6 42.7 Missing Missing 38.2 45.4 47.2 Geometric Mean Missing 7.152 9.030 15.448 20.268 26.119 28.079 Missing 13.190 34.554 32.588 31.355 n o 1.) Missing 17 17 16 co us) o, Mean 0.119 9.856 10.660 8.888 16.981 14.712 18.436 5.470 Missing 15.331 20.364 16.719 ko 1.) SD 0.559 5.352 5.160 4.112 7.866 8.329 6.904 Missing Missing 8.322 9.643 8.055 o, Min 0.00 2.68 3.74 2.94 6.77 5.83 5.42 5.47 Missing 2.51 4.05 4.18 1.) H
Median 0.000 8.680 9.030 7.700 16.145 11.770 20.030 5.470 Missing 15.790 20.330 16.450 La Max 2.62 21.34 24.42 18.65 35.47 37.58 27.64 5.47 Missing 34.89 38.81 32.87 H
I
CV% 469.0 54.3 48.4 46.3 46.3 56.6 37.4 Missing Missing 54.3 47.4 48.2 1.) Geometric Mean Missing 8.518 9.582 8.075 15.375 13.034 16.803 5.470 Missing 12.798 17.485 14.540 o Missing Missing 10 10 10 Mean 0.000 8.781 10.136 9.953 8.440 7.251 14.196 Missing Missing 13.297 10.159 8.411 SD 0.000 4.267 3.794 3.283 2.166 1.531 6.100 Missing Missing 5.599 4.694 3.460 Min 0.00 3.88 5.39 6.38 5.09 4.46 4.66 Missing Missing 3.57 1.96 2.65 IV
n Median 0.000 8.630 10.260 10.010 8.230 7.325 14.560 Missing Missing 13.600 10.080 8.715 1-3 Max 0.00 16.58 17.59 17.07 12.44 10.30 22.86 Missing Missing 23.17 19.07 14.47 ri) CV% Missing 48.6 37.4 33.0 25.7 21.1 43.0 Missing Missing 42.1 46.2 41.1 n.) o 1-, Geometric Mean Missing 7.849 9.503 9.510 8.195 7.099 12.867 Missing Missing 11.962 8.869 7.622 n.) 126 140 168 I o =
o oe Mean 3.377 3.940 3.174 2.316 1.775 1.886 1.518 1.330 Missing Missing Missing 0 n.) SD 1.801 0.935 0.712 1.003 0.500 0.511 0.201 Missing Missing Missing Missing o 1-, Min 1.36 2.68 2.37 1.52 1.27 1.46 1.35 1.33 Missing Missing Missing n.) 1-, Median 3.495 3.810 3.140 2.060 1.685 1.820 1.460 1.330 Missing Missing Missing o n.) Max 5.30 4.87 4.10 4.02 2.73 2.71 1.80 1.33 Missing Missing Missing o --.1 CV% 53.3 23.7 22.4 43.3 28.2 27.1 13.3 Missing Missing Missing Missing Geometric Mean 2.929 3.846 3.110 2.174 1.725 1.836 1.508 1.330 Missing Missing Missing Mean 41.655 41.936 43.665 49.877 51.812 49.356 38.062 22.339 16.376 12.427 7.001 SD 16.144 27.702 19.666 27.647 26.100 21.776 19.036 10.016 9.374 7.767 4.619 Min 18.56 2.15 1.93 20.83 19.34 17.50 14.05 6.15 3.38 1.55 1.45 n Median 35.850 35.930 41.450 39.340 45.230 45.350 33.455 22.275 15.700 11.265 5.975 o Max 71.11 93.34 87.62 115.29 116.84 94.23 80.06 38.08 39.20 27.83 18.26 1.) co CV% 38.8 66.1 45.0 55.4 50.4 44.1 50.0 44.8 57.2 62.5 66.0 us) o, Geometric Mean 38.947 28.364 36.331 44.037 46.256 44.735 33.746 19.825 13.649 9.729 5.669 ko 1.) o, 1.) H

14 12 10 us) I
Mean 19.206 19.028 23.946 19.311 28.338 23.594 24.095 14.793 11.443 7.432 5.179 H
H
I
SD 7.915 8.785 12.946 10.670 16.436 13.104 15.020 9.576 8.233 6.060 4.151 1.) Min 6.72 6.20 5.51 5.77 5.32 5.56 3.34 3.01 3.20 1.66 1.96 o Median 20.820 20.650 28.860 16.235 24.410 21.870 19.260 11.280 8.650 4.855 4.115 Max 29.70 32.25 42.76 38.22 55.21 53.31 60.39 37.78 26.89 20.67 15.93 CV% 41.2 46.2 54.1 55.3 58.0 55.5 62.3 64.7 71.9 81.5 80.2 Geometric Mean 17.337 16.613 19.980 16.383 23.321 20.021 19.436 12.038 8.945 5.395 4.195 IV
n Mean 16.795 13.237 10.233 12.729 16.217 17.747 15.818 8.434 7.629 4.354 3.522 ri) SD 10.001 6.304 5.270 11.012 7.734 10.748 9.465 4.445 3.316 2.183 2.065 n.) o 1-, Min 3.12 3.48 2.25 1.68 6.39 4.75 3.86 2.56 3.90 1.53 1.65 n.) Median 16.375 14.475 10.675 11.615 13.340 13.570 13.245 7.790 6.935 4.525 3.015 c,.) o Max 35.67 23.28 18.24 39.74 31.35 34.85 31.57 18.86 14.56 7.79 6.58 =
o CV% 59.5 47.6 51.5 86.5 47.7 60.6 59.8 52.7 43.5 50.1 58.7 oe Geometric Mean 13.657 11.516 8.670 9.022 14.655 14.868 13.263 7.444 7.087 3.802 3.031 o 1.) us) 61"

,4z ,4z oe Expected PK Exposure in 40 kg Patient Population Cmax,ss Cmin,ss 5th 95th 5th 95th Dosing Regimen Percentile Percentile Percentile Percentile 0.3 mg/kg (Q14D) 6.68 15.25 2.29 8.11 1 mg/kg (Q14D) 21.25 49.29 6.8 24.65 3 mg/kg (Q14D) 61.84 143.96 18.47 68.11 mg/kg (Q14D) 200.29 466.6 55.03 210.1 30 mg/kg (Q14D) 584.94 1359.5 148.37 582.22 200 mg [LD(D14)+QM] 80.26 189.51 9.435 48.035 600 mg [LD(D14)+QM] 240.78 568.55 28.305 144 1200 mg [LD(D14)+QM] 481.57 1137.1 56.61 288.21 Expected PK Exposure in 120 kg Patient Population Cmax,ss Cmin,ss 5th 95th 5th 95th Dosing Regimen Percentile Percentile Percentile Percentile 0.3 mg/kg (Q14D) 11.64 26.62 3.9 13.95 1 mg/kg (Q14D) 37.02 85.14 11.52 42.55 3 mg/kg (Q14D) 107.61 248.69 31.19 117.59 10 mg/kg (Q14D) 348.51 806.2 92.58 357.74 30 mg/kg (Q14D) 1016.4 2361 249.13 993.96 200 mg [LD(D14)+QM] 46.43 110.61 5.415 28.23 600 mg [LD(D14)+QM] 139.3 331.84 16.245 84.71 1200 mg [LD(D14)+QM] 278.6 663.68 32.49 169.42

Claims

1. A method of treating an autoimmune disorder in a human subject comprising administering to the subject an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof which specifically binds to human interferon alpha, wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL, CL ss, CL/F, or CL ss/F) of between about 99 and about 432 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V ss or V z/F) of between about 3 and about 17 L, and a serum half-life of about 14 days to about 48 days is achieved following the administration; and wherein the autoimmune disorder is systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or myositis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof binds an epitope on human interferon alpha recognized by an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO: 19 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO: 22.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof comprises: (a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID
NO: 1; (b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 4; (c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 7; (d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 10; (e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 13; and (f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID
NO: 16.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof comprises: (a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO; 35, SEQ ID

NO:36 or SEQ ID NO:37; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is a human antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is a chimeric antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is a humanized antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is an IgG1 or IgG4 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the antigen binding fragment is a Fab antibody fragment or a single chain antibody (scFv).

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered in a dosage dependent on the subject's body weight.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the dosage ranges from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of the subject's body weight.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the dosage is chosen from about 0.3 mg/kg body weight, about 1 mg/kg body weight, about 3 mg/kg body weight, and about mg/kg body weight.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered as a fixed dosage.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fixed dosage ranges from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fixed dosage is chosen from about 100 mg, about 200 mg, about 600 mg, and about 1200 mg.

16. The method of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered as a single dose or is administered in two or more doses once per week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, once every four weeks, once a month, once every 3 months, once every six months, or at varying intervals.

17. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a loading dose is administered at Day 14.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the administration is by a route chosen from intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracerobrospinal, subcutaneous, intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrathecal, oral, topical, inhalation, and a combination of two or more recited routes.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the administration is intravenous (IV) administration.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein IV administration is by IV infusion over a period of time.

21. The method of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein a time to reach maximum plasma concentration (T max or T max ss) following IV administration of about 0.13 days or less is achieved.

22. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a single IV
administration of about 0.3 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max of about 0.12 days or less, a maximum plasma concentration (C max) of about 7 to about 15 µg/mL, an area under the plasma concentration-time curve during a dosage interval (T) (AUC T) of about 54 to about 104 µg day/mL, and a trough plasma concentration (C trough) of about 2 to about 4 µg/mL.

23. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a single IV
administration of about 0.3 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max of about 0.07 days, an average C max of about 11 µg/mL, an average AUC T of about 79 µg day/mL, and an average C trough of about 3 µg/mL.

24. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a single IV
administration of about 1 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max of about 0.12 days or less, a C max of about 21 to about 43 µg/mL, an AUC T of about 153 to about 290 µg day/mL, and a C trough of about 4 to about 12 µg/mL.

25. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a single IV
administration of about 1 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max of about 0.08 days, an average C max of about 32 µg/mL, an average AUC T of about 221 µg day/mL, and an average C trough of about 8 µg/mL.

26. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a single IV
administration of about 3 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max of about 0.13 days or less, a C max of about 64 to about 143 µg/mL, an AUC T of about 469 to about 1010 µg day/mL, and a C trough of about 12 to about 35 µg/mL.

27. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a single IV
administration of about 3 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max of about 0.09 days, an average C max of about 103 µg/mL, an average AUC T of about 739 µg day/mL, and an average C trough of about 23 µg/mL.

28. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a single IV
administration of about 10 mg/kg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max of about 0.13 days or less, a C max of about 141 to about 318 µg/mL, an AUC T of about 979 to about 2241 µg day/mL, and a C trough of about 27 to about 76 µg/mL.

29. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a single IV
administration of about 10 mg/kg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max of about 0.09 days, an average C max of about 230 µg/mL, an average AUC T of about 1610 µg day/mL, and an average C trough of about 52 µg/mL.

30. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics are chosen from: a T maxss of about 0.60 days or less, a C max ss of about 11 to about 25 µg/mL, an AUC T ss of about 89 to about 197 µg day/mL, and a C trough ss of about 5 to about 11 µg/mL is achieved.

31. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max ss of about 0.17 days, an average C max ss of about 18 µg/mL, an average AUC T ss of about 143 µg day/mL, and an average C trough ss of about 8 µg/mL is achieved.

32. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL ss) of between about 99 and about 271 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V ss) of between about 4 and about 9 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days to about 43 days is achieved.

33. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 0.3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL ss) of about 185 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (V ss) of about 6 L, and an average serum half-life of about 29 days is achieved.

34. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max ss of about 0.11 days or less, a C max ss of about 29 to about 67 µg/mL, an AUC T ss of about 213 to about 591 µg day/mL, and a C trough ss of about 9 to about 30 µg/mL is achieved.

35. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max ss of about 0.07 days, an average C max ss of about 48 µg/mL, an average AUC T ss of about 197 µg day/mL, and an average C trough ss of about 11 µg/mL is achieved.

36. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL ss) of between about 118 and about 348 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V ss) of between about 4 and about 9 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days to about 32 days is achieved.

37. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 1 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL ss) of about 233 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (V ss) of about 6 L, and an average serum half-life of about 23 days is achieved.

38. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max ss of about 0.33 days or less, a C max ss of about 75 to about 232 µg/mL, an AUC T ss of about 533 to about 1843 µg day/mL, and a C trough ss of about 26 to about 74 µg/mL is achieved.

39. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max ss of about 0.13 days, an average C max ss of about 153 µg/mL, an average AUC T ss of about 1188 µg day/mL, and an average C trough ss of about 50 µg/mL is achieved.

40. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL s) of between about 136 and about 304 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V ss) of between about 3 and about 7 L, and a serum half-life of about 14 days to about 26 days is achieved.

41. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 3 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL ss) of about 220 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (V ss) of about 5 L, and an average serum half-life of about 20 days is achieved.

42. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max ss about 0.82 days or less, a C max ss of about 288 to about 595 µg/mL, an AUC T ss of about 2539 to about 4267 µg day/mL, and a C trough ss of about 93 to about 275 µg/mL is achieved.

43. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max ss of about 0.23 days, an average C max ss of about 232 µg/mL, an average AUC T ss of about 3403 µg day/mL, and an average C trough ss of about 184 µg/mL is achieved.

44. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered at about 14-day intervals to a achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL ss) of between about 157 and about 319 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V ss) of between about 4 and about 7 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days to about 29 days is achieved.

45. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a sufficient number of IV doses of about 10 mg/kg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL ss) of about 238 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (V ss) of about 6 L, and an average serum half-life of about 22 days is achieved.

46. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the number of IV
doses at about 14-day intervals required to achieve steady state is about 5 to about 8 doses.

47. The method of claim 18, wherein the administration is subcutaneous (SC) administration.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the dosage is 100 mg administered as a single dose, or is administered weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

49. The method of claim 47 or claim 48, wherein at T max or T max ss of between about 2 and about 10 days is achieved.

50. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a single SC
administration of about 100 mg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max of about 2 to about 10 days, a C max of about 4 to about 21 µg/mL, an area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time of last measurable concentration (AUC last) of about 175 to about 666 µg day/mL, and an area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC.infin.) of about 204 to about 751 µg day/mL.

51. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a single SC
administration of about 100 mg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max of about 6 days, a C max of about 13 µg/mL, an AUC Iast of about 421 µg day/mL, and an AUC .infin. of about 477 µg day/mL.

52. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a single SC
administration of about 100 mg achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from a clearance rate (CL/F) of between about 118 and about 432 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V z/F) of between about 5 and about 12 L, and a serum half-life of about 15 days to about 34 days.

53. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a single SC
administration of about 100 mg to a population of subjects achieves one or more pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL/F) of about 275 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V z/F) of about 8 L, and a serum half-life of about 25 days.

54. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max ss of about 2 to about 7 days, a C max ss of about 37 to about 93 µg/mL, an AUC T ss of about 248 to about 638 pg day/mL, and a C trough ss of about 38 to about 80 µg/mL is achieved.

55. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max ss of about 4 days, an average C max ss of about 65 µg/mL, an average AUC T ss of about 443 µg day/mL, and a C trough ss of about 59 µg/mL is achieved.

56. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a clearance rate (CL ss/F) of between about 168 and about 396 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V z/F) of between about 7 and about 15 L, and a serum half-life of about 22 days to about 35 days is achieved.

57. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 7-day (weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL ss) of about 282 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (V z/F) of about 11 L, and an average serum half-life of about 28 days is achieved.

58. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max ss of about 2 to about 7 days, a C max ss of about 30 to about 49 µg/mL, an AUC T ss of about 424 to about 567 µg day/mL, and a C
trough ss of about 21 to about 40 µg/mL is achieved.

59. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max ss of about 4 days, an average C max ss of about 39 µg/mL, an average AUC T ss of about 495 µg day/mL, and a C trough ss of about 30 µg/mL is achieved.

60. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a clearance rate (CL ss/F) of between about 172 and about 240 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V z/F) of between about 6 and about 10 L, and a serum half-life of about 19 days to about 37 days is achieved.

61. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 14-day (bi-weekly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL ss) of about 406 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (V z/F) of about 8 L, and an average serum half-life of about 28 days is achieved.

62. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a T max ss of about 3 to about 8 days, a C max ss of about 14 to about 34 µg/mL, an AUC T ss of about 326 to about 641 µg day/mL, and a C
trough ss of about 6 to about 15 µg/mL is achieved.

63. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: an average T max ss of about 6 days, an average C max ss of about 49 µg/mL, an average AUC T ss of about 483 µg day/mL, and a C trough ss of about 11 µg/mL is achieved.

64. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from: a clearance rate (CL ss/F) of between about 152 and about 302 mL/day, an apparent volume of distribution (V z/F) of between about 5 and about 17 L, and a serum half-life of about 19 days to about 47 days is achieved.

65. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein a sufficient number of SC doses of about 100 mg are administered to a population of subjects at about 30-day (monthly) intervals to achieve a steady state, and wherein one or more steady state pharmacokinetic characteristics chosen from an average clearance rate (CL ss) of about 227 mL/day, an average apparent volume of distribution (V z/F) of about 11 L, and an average serum half-life of about 33 days is achieved.

66. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the administration of a sufficient number of doses of an anti-IFN-alpha antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof suppresses an IFN pharmacodynamic signature.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the IFN pharmacodynamic signature is a Type I IFN-alpha inducible expression profile.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the Type I IFN-alpha inducible expression profile comprises up-regulated expression of a gene marker set comprising IF144, IF127, IF144L, NAPTP, LAMP3, LY6E, RSAD2, HERC5, IF16, ISG15, OAS3, RTP4, IFIT1, MX1, SIGLEC1, OAS2, USP18, OAS1, EPSTI1, PLSCR1 and IFRG28.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the anti-IFN antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof neutralizes the pharmacodynamic expression profile of the patient by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30% or at least 40%.

70. The method of any of the proceeding claims, wherein at least one disease symptoms is reduced.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the reduction in at least one disease symptom results in a decrease in the SLEDAI score or BILAG score.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the SLEDAI score is reduced by at least 1 point.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the SLEDAI score is reduced by at least 2 points.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the SLEADI score is reduced by at least 3 points.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the SLEDAI score is reduced by at least 4. points.