LRA’s annual meeting brings together global leaders to accelerate breakthroughs in lupus 

The 2025 Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) Forum for Discovery (FFD) brought together LRA-funded investigators from around the world for its signature annual scientific meeting. Designed as a collaborative forum, the event offers a unique opportunity for researchers to share progress on their LRA-funded projects, engage in dynamic discussions with peers, and spark new collaborations that could accelerate breakthroughs in lupus research. 

This year, FFD centered on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, highlighting how these powerful tools are being leveraged to deepen our understanding of lupus, drive innovation, and pave the way for precision medicine. 

In a powerful keynote address, Philip De Jager, MD, PhD, a physician-scientist renowned for his work in neuroimmunology and genomics at Columbia University, shared how his team is applying AI and data-driven approaches to dissect complex cell interactions and their contribution to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. Drawing from large datasets and longitudinal cohorts, Dr. De Jager demonstrated how machine learning tools are helping to refine patient stratification, identify candidate predictive biomarkers, and bring the promise of precision medicine closer to reality for those living with debilitating diseases. 

Scientific Sessions Explore the Breadth of Lupus Research 

The core scientific sessions at this year’s FFD delved into critical aspects of lupus research, including: 

• Novel Mechanisms of Lupus Pathogenesis  

• Vascular Inflammation and Immune Dysregulation in Lupus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome 

• Adaptive Immunity: B & T Cell Dysfunction 

• Brain, Kidneys, & the Skin: Organ Damage in Lupus  

Marking the 50th anniversary of the development of monoclonal antibodies, a technology that has revolutionized biomedical research and lupus treatment, Andrew Chan, MD, PhD, Genentech, and Chair of the LRA Scientific Advisory board presented on the evolution of this technology and the groundwork it laid for recent breakthrough therapies like chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and in vivo-generated engineered cell therapies.  

A dynamic “Lightning Talk” session featured rapid presentations on new tools and technologies aimed at better diagnosing, monitoring, and treating lupus. From next-generation imaging techniques to wearable devices and novel biomarker assays, presenters offered glimpses into the future of lupus care. 

The meeting concluded with an inspiring presentation from Shaun Jackson, MD, PhD, Seattle Children’s Hospital. He discussed a promising type of treatment for lupus called bi-specific T-cell engagers. These cutting-edge therapies are designed to remove B cells, immune cells that play a major role in lupus and are easier to manufacture than CAR T cells, potentially offering safer and more accessible options for people with lupus in the future. 

AI & Big Data Session Charts the Future of Lupus Research 

A highlight of this year’s FFD was an in-depth session dedicated to AI and big data applications in lupus research. The session opened with updates on the Lupus Nexus, LRA’s registry, biorepository, and data-exchange platform that empowers scientists and clinicians with patient samples and data needed to deliver new treatments and prevent disease progression. A preview of the Lupus Research Alliance Data Strategy roadmap, set to be fully unveiled in 2026, underscored the organization’s strategic vision for collaborative data sharing and data-driven discovery. Attendees then heard from Alexandra-Chloé Villani, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital, who showcased her bioinformatics platform designed to map immune cell populations across diseases, offering valuable insights into shared and unique mechanisms in lupus. 

The session concluded with a lively panel discussion featuring leading voices from academia and industry, who examined the challenges and opportunities of using AI in lupus research. Moderated by Soumya Raychaudhuri, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School, the panel delved into the nuances of today’s AI-driven research landscape, the possibilities it is unlocking, and key considerations that will shape its future.  Together, the panelists brought a range of perspectives and opinions, resulting in an engaging and multifaceted conversation regarding the use of AI to integrate datasets, organize data, generate hypotheses, and automate analyses.  

As the 2025 FFD came to a close, it was clear that the convergence of biomedical science and computational power is opening new possibilities for understanding and treating lupus. Through robust dialogue, strategic partnerships, and unwavering support for bold ideas, the LRA continues to lead the charge in shaping a future where lupus is no longer a life-altering diagnosis.