Saphnelo was approved in 2021 by the FDA as the first every treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common form of lupus.

Lupus is a debilitating autoimmune disease that can cause severe inflammation in almost every organ and joint in the body. It is not typical for lupus to affect all organ systems at once, but if the disease is not managed appropriately it can lead to severe complications.

Although Lupus affects each patient differently, it is common for people living with SLE to have overreactive type 1 interferon (IFN-1). IFN-1 are cytokines that are responsible for activating the body’s immune response. When IFN-1 is overactive, it can cause your immune system to attack itself.

Saphnelo works by blocking IFN-1 activity, which prevents your body from attacking healthy tissues throughout your body.