Conference Preview: American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2025

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2025 takes place in Chicago, Illinois, from Friday, October 24 through Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Recognized as a premier event for clinical rheumatology, the meeting will feature late-breaking trial results, clinical updates, and emerging science in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, with presentations delivered by internationally known faculty and rising experts.

The agenda for this year’s meeting will include oral presentations, poster sessions, and focused symposia addressing the educational needs and priorities of practicing rheumatologists and clinical researchers. The HCPLive editorial team will provide on-site coverage of practice-shifting data and interviews with key investigators.

You can keep up with HCPLive’s comprehensive conference coverage here. Check out what can be expected from this year’s meeting below:

Expert Interviews

Philip Mease, MD, who will discuss data on deucravacitinib for the treatment of first-line psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from the POETYK PsA-1 and PsA-2 trials, as well as data on izokibep for PsA from a phase 2b/3 study. Mease is director of Rheumatology Research at Providence Swedish Medical Center and clinical professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Philip G. Conaghan, MBBS, PhD, who will discuss findings from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2a trial evaluating an innovative intra-articular apoptotic cell therapy in knee osteoarthritis (OA), as well as results from the LEVI-04 trial evaluating a novel neurotrophin-3 inhibitor in OA. Conaghan is a professor of musculoskeletal medicine at the University of Leeds and director of the Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine.

Ed Vital, PhD, who will discuss 48-week results from a phase 3 trial evaluating dapirolizumab pegol in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Vital is a professor of musculoskeletal medicine at the University of Leeds and a consultant rheumatologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Jonathan Graf, MD, who will review findings from the phase 2B trial LB19 evaluating rosnilimab, a selective and potent depleter of pathogenic T cells, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Graf is a professor of medicine and director of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco.

Trials to Watch

There is a plethora of clinical trial data being presented at ACR 2025. HCPLive crafted a curated list of 6 trials to watch from the upcoming meeting:

1. Rosnilimab, a Selective and Potent Depleter of Pathogenic T Cells, Demonstrates Efficacy, Safety, and Translational Proof of Mechanism in a Rheumatoid Arthritis Phase 2B Trial

Presentation Time: 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Presenter: Paul Emery, MD, MA, MBBCH

Background Info:

Over 50% of RA patients require multiple b/tsDMARD classes due to inadequate or lost response. In this multicenter, randomized Phase 2B trial, rosnilimab, an investigational antibody targeting pathogenic T cells, demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable improvements in DAS28-CRP, ACR responses, and patient-reported outcomes, with rapid depletion of pathogenic T cells and a favorable safety profile.

2. Ianalumab Demonstrates Significant Reduction in Disease Activity in Patients With Sjögren’s Disease: Efficacy and Safety Results From Two Global Phase 3 Trials (NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2)

Presentation Time: 9:15 AM-9:30 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Presenter: Thomas Grader-Beck, MD

Background Info:

In 2 global, randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trials, ianalumab, a dual-mechanism antibody targeting B cells, achieved statistically significant improvements in systemic disease activity (ESSDAI) versus placebo in adults with active Sjögren’s disease, while demonstrating a favorable safety profile. Ianalumab combines B-cell depletion via antibody-dependent cellular toxicity (ADCC) and interruption of BAFF-R mediated signals of B cell function and survival.

3. Obinutuzumab Demonstrates Steroid-Sparing Effects and Consistent Benefit in Patients With Lupus Nephritis Across Multiple Endpoint Definitions: Post Hoc Analysis of Phase III REGENCY Trial

Presentation Time: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM CDT on Sunday, October 26, 2025

Presenter: Brad H. Rovin, MD

Background Info:

In a post hoc analysis of the Phase III REGENCY trial, obinutuzumab added to standard therapy improved complete renal response rates versus placebo across multiple endpoint definitions and reduced oral prednisone use in adults with active lupus nephritis. These results support obinutuzumab as a potentially effective and steroid-sparing treatment option for patients with this serious autoimmune kidney disease.

Efficacy and Safety of Telitacicept in Patients with Sjögren’s Disease: Results from a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 3 Clinical Study

4. Efficacy and Safety of Telitacicept in Patients With Sjögren’s Disease: Results From a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study

Presentation Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Presenter: Lin Qiao, MD

Background Info:

In a global Phase 3 study, telitacicept, a dual BLyS/APRIL-targeting fusion protein, significantly improved ESSDAI scores and other clinical endpoints versus placebo in adults with active Sjögren’s disease, with efficacy maintained through 48 weeks. Both doses were well tolerated, supporting telitacicept as a promising targeted therapy for this chronic autoimmune condition.

5. Efficacy and Safety of Deucravacitinib Up to Week 52 in Biologic-Naive Patients With Active Psoriatic Arthritis: Results From a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study

Presentation Time: 8:15 AM-8:30 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Presenter: Philip J. Mease, MD

Background Info:

In the global POETYK PsA-1 study, deucravacitinib, an oral selective TYK2 inhibitor, demonstrated sustained improvements in ACR responses, patient-reported outcomes, and inhibition of radiographic progression through Week 52 in biologic-naive patients with active psoriatic arthritis. The treatment was well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with prior studies, supporting deucravacitinib as a promising oral targeted therapy for PsA.

6. Tofacitinib Plus Glucocorticoids Reduces Relapse Rate in IgG4-Related Disease: Results From a Randomized, Open-Label Controlled Trial

Presentation Time: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM CDT on Teesday, October 28, 2025

Presenter: Xi Xu, MD

Background Info:

In patients with IgG4-related disease, tofacitinib combined with glucocorticoids significantly reduced relapse rates at Week 24 compared with glucocorticoid monotherapy, while maintaining a favorable safety profile. These findings support tofacitinib as a potential steroid-sparing therapy for this chronic autoimmune condition.