Study of Pharmacodynamic Effects of VAY736 in Patients With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

This study consists of three consecutive parts. Part 1 in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients (n=2-6) and Part 2 in healthy voluteers (n=3) are feasibility studies to assess if the selected \[Zr-89\]-rituximab PET/CT method is a valid method to assess B cells in salivary glands of pSS patients. In Part 1 and Part 2 no IMP will be applied to the subjects. In Part 3, pSS patients (n=12) will receive the IMP, VAY736. Posted information will be focused on Part 3. The overarching purpose of this study is to test a new drug (VAY736) for the treatment of pSS. In pSS, the salivary glands (the glands that produce saliva) and other organs are affected by inflammation. A certain type of white blood cells called B cells prominently infiltrate the salivary glands in pSS, whereas they are not present in healthy salivary glands. Scientific evidence suggests that B cells may be involved in the disease process in pSS and that eliminating B cells may benefit patients with pSS. This study will test a new imaging method and a new treatment for pSS. Both the imaging method and the treatment are specific for B cells.