Drug Development in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Can it be Successful?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to produce several types of antibodies, particularly against cell nuclei. This disease is extremely heterogeneous in how it manifests, which leads to significant problems and delays in diagnosis. The condition most frequently affects the skin, joints and muscles, but can also disrupt other organs and systems, like the kidneys, heart, central nervous systems and others. The prevalence of lupus is approximately 50 patients per 100,000 in the United States. There are significant differences in the disease prevalence among different races. For example, Eastern Asians (excluding Japanese), African Americans and Hispanics are affected more frequently by the disease than other races. In addition, the prevalence of SLE is higher among women (up to nine times) than men.

Click here to read perspectives from our clinical team on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus