The drug Rituxan (rituximab), used for treating rheumatoid arthritis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, has failed as a treatment for lupus, according to results from a clinical trial. The trial was conducted by two biotechnology companies, Genentech and Biogen.

The drug had also been in a trial as a multiple sclerosis treatment and failed in that as well, although hopes had been higher for a lupus treatment.

The trial involved 257 patients, who received either Rituxan or a placebo. Rituxan did not outperform the placebo on seven effectiveness measures used in the trial.

It has been 30 years since a new lupus drug has been introduced. Two other companies, however, have lupus drug trials underway. Human Genome Sciences is testing a drug that's akin to Rituxan and Bristol-Myers Squibb is testing Orencia (abatacept), a rheumatoid arthritis drug.