argenx stops Phase 3 UNITY trial of efgartigimod in Sjögren's disease

What's the deal? argenx announced on 8 October 2026 that it is discontinuing the Phase 3 UNITY study of efgartigimod given subcutaneously (as an injection under the skin) in adults with moderate-to-severe Sjögren's disease, an autoimmune condition that mainly causes dry eyes and dry mouth. An independent data monitoring committee recommended stopping the trial for futility after an interim analysis concluded it could not meet its primary endpoint — the change in systemic disease activity measured by the clinESSDAI score at week 48. Safety was consistent with efgartigimod's established profile and no new safety signals were identified.

Why it matters: Efgartigimod is argenx's flagship antibody that blocks the recycling of antibodies to dampen harmful immune responses, and is approved in conditions including myasthenia gravis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. The UNITY stop is a setback for patients with Sjögren's disease, who still lack a treatment that changes the course of the condition; argenx said it will analyse the data fully and share the insights with the community. The company's pipeline otherwise remains active, with other efgartigimod programmes and earlier-stage candidates such as FB102 advancing.

Read more: GlobeNewswire, 8 October 2026