A new biologic for systemic lupus erythematosus has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, marking the first innovation in the treatment of the disease in more than a decade, the sponsor AstraZeneca Plc announced on 2 August. Saphnelo (anifrolumab) blocks a receptor in the type 1 interferon pathway preventing aberrant activation of the immune system. It is this activation that can cause immune cells to mistakenly attack healthy tissues in the body, a hallmark of lupus.
