While estimates vary, the Lupus Foundation of America figures that 1.5 million people in the U.S. and at least 5 million people worldwide are affected by the autoimmune disease. Despite the prevalence of the condition, however, there remains relatively few new treatment options.
Historically, repurposed anti-inflammation drugs, steroids, immunosuppressants and antimalarials like hydroxychloroquine have been used to manage lupus symptoms. But it wasn’t until 2011 that a drug specifically developed for the disease, GlaxoSmithKline’s Benlysta, became available.
