Gracell Biotechnologies announced the launch of a Phase 1 clinical trial in China testing GC012F, its experimental dual FastCAR T-cell therapy, for hard-to-treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The investigator-initiated trial (NCT05846347), underway at The First Affiliated Hospital of the Zhejiang University College of Medicine, is recruiting adults ages…
A Phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of daxdilimab, a potentially first-in-class treatment for people with active, proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) — a lupus complication marked by kidney damage — has enrolled its first patient. Horizon Therapeutics, the therapy’s developer, anticipates about 210 patients, ages 18–80,…
Hundreds of lupus supporters converged on Capitol Hill recently for the first time since 2019 to show their support for policies that would improve patient access to care, hear from lupus experts, and recognize those who’ve advocated for patients. The National Lupus Advocacy Summit, presented April 23-25 by…
CABA-201, an experimental cell therapy for lupus and other autoimmune disorders, has been granted fast track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA awards this designation to therapies with the potential to address unmet medical needs in the treatment of serious conditions. Fast track status…
Lupkynis (voclosporin) is now approved in Switzerland to treat adults with active lupus nephritis, a complication of lupus characterized by kidney damage and inflammation. The approval specifically covers the treatment, given along immunosuppressants, for adults with active class 3, 4, and 5 lupus nephritis — three subtypes of the…
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is calling on the community to help increase visibility and promote education about the autoimmune disease throughout the month of May — thereby marking Lupus Awareness Month. “All too often people with lupus hear that they don’t ‘look’ sick. This is why…
Severe flare-ups of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) among patients were associated with a markedly higher risk of stroke, according to the results of a population-based study in Taiwan that analyzed data spanning 16 years. Importantly, an overall elevated stroke risk was seen for younger adults with SLE who had…
Toni Braxton is hoping to strike a chord with people with lupus via Aurinia Pharmaceuticals‘ “Get Uncomfortable” campaign: the singer-songwriter wants to empower fellow patients to prioritize kidney health as a key part of their care. Braxton, a Grammy Award-winning singer, and an actress, producer, and entrepreneur, was…
The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) is funding four research projects aiming to explore molecular targets that could lead new ways of treating lupus. The grants were given as part of the LRA’s Lupus Mechanisms and Targets Award (LMTA) program, which offers up to $600,000 over three years…
Seven projects led by research teams from the U.S. and Europe have been announced as the recipients of the latest round of Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) Lupus Innovation Award (LIA) grants, which can total up to $300,000. The awards provide support — up to $150,000 annually for two…