AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) has won FDA approval for Saphnelo (anifrolumab-fnia) to treat moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adults. The drug is the first treatment for SLE to win FDA approval in more than one decade. Saphnelo targets the type I interferon (IFN) pathway, which plays a role in the pathophysiology of lupus. Researchers have…
How lupus clinical trials are evolving
In the past half-century, scores of investigational drugs for lupus have seemingly failed in clinical trials. GSK’s Benlysta (belimumab) is unique in winning approval from the FDA and European regulatory authorities. Anifrolumab from AstraZeneca, which would be a first-in-class type I interferon inhibitor, is one of the most promising investigational drugs for treating systemic lupus…