News

Litifilimab Shown to Reduce Number of Swollen Joints in Phase 2 Trial

Litifilimab (BIIB059), Biogen’s investigational antibody-based treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), significantly reduced the number of swollen and tender joints in people with the autoimmune inflammatory disease over six months, new trial data show. With these positive results, the treatment candidate met the main goal of part A of the…

SLE Incidence Rates Rose in US for Past Four Decades

The incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has increased in the U.S. the past four decades, a recent study shows. Study data also indicated the increased incidence seen during that time was significantly higher among racial and ethnic minority populations. “As the US population grows more diverse, we might continue…

Phase 2 Trial of Oral Afimetoran for SLE Now Underway

A Phase 2 trial testing the effectiveness of afimetoran, Bristol-Myers Squibbs’ (BMS) investigational oral treatment for people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is underway. In-human testing was supported by preclinical evidence that demonstrated the therapy’s ability to prevent or reverse disease symptoms and halt death in mouse models. The…

Lupus Research Alliance Awards $9M for 3 New Projects

The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) has announced $9 million in grants — three awards each totaling $3 million — to fund new research projects that aim to better understand lupus and pave the way toward the development of better treatment strategies for the inflammatory autoimmune disease. The funding is…

Mechanism Discovered Behind Strongest Lupus Genetic Risk Factor

The strongest genetic risk factor of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), HLA-DRB1*03:01, generates an abnormal protein that, in the presence of the pro-inflammatory interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), activates SLE-related genes and triggers SLE-characteristic cellular, tissue, and immune abnormalities. These are the findings of a new study in lab-grown human and mouse immune cells,…

Alpine, Evotec Expanding Production of ALPN-303, Potential Therapy

Alpine Immune Sciences and Evotec announced the expansion of an agreement to manufacture ALPN-303, an experimental anti-inflammatory therapy that Alpine is developing for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other diseases driven by immune B-cells. Under the initial 2020 agreement, Evotec’s subsidiary Just-Evotec Biologics used its continuous manufacturing…

Lupus Foundation of America Grants Fellowships for 6 Young Scientists

The six recipients of the 2022 Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) fellowships for young scientists will each pursue research in key areas of lupus investigation, including cardiovascular risks, genetics, biomarkers, and environmental factors. Awarded through the Gina M. Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowship Program, the grants are…