Innovation in lupus brings new option for European patients

16 February 2022

First-in-class lupus therapy Saphnelo (anifrolumab) has been approved in the European Union as an add-on therapy for people with moderate to severe disease.

Developed by UK drugmaker AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN), the treatment is indicated for people with active autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the second-line setting.

The approval makes Saphnelo the first biologic for SLE approved in Europe with an indication that is not restricted to patients with a high degree of disease activity.

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