Throughout its history, the LRA has played a pivotal role in bringing together the key players in the fight against lupus and 2019 is no exception. More than 100 of the world’s top scientists in lupus research and treatment gathered on October 20-22 for the LRA’s 2019 annual three-day Forum for Discovery scientific conference. Researchers […] READ MORE
December 18, 2019 The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) welcomes additional positive results published today in the New England Journal of Medicine online edition from AstraZeneca’s Phase 3 TULIP-2 trial studying the investigational biologic anifrolumab as a treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). The new study provides further details showing that anifrolumab, which targets […] READ MORE
December 17, 2019 The Lupus Research Alliance is thrilled to share exciting news from GSK that Benlysta (belimumab) demonstrated positive clinical trial results in treating lupus nephritis (LN), a common complication of lupus causing inflammation of the kidneys that can result in end-stage kidney disease. Called BLISS-LN, this Phase 3 trial is the largest one […] READ MORE
December 16, 2019 Lupus Research Alliance advocates have good reason to pat themselves on the back today! The 2020 Defense Appropriations Act, on which Congress will vote in the coming days, would provide exactly what in-person and virtual advocates requested during “The Lupus Research Alliance 15th Annual Advocate for Lupus Research Hill Day” in March. […] READ MORE
Thinking outside the box” is jargon that often rings hollow—but not so when it’s used to describe the ideas generated by Ignacio Sanz, MD, world-renowned expert on autoimmunity. Dr. Sanz recently discovered that certain little-understood immune system cells are a major source of the harmful proteins that promote lupus symptoms. This breakthrough has the potential […] READ MORE
Leading with Extraordinary Clarity and Grace The LRA is enormously grateful to Mary K. (Peggy) Crow, MD for her more than 10 years of devoted service and leadership as the organization’s Co-Chair of our Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Crow’s tenure concludes on December 31st. “It’s well known that Dr. Crow has brought vision … leadership […] READ MORE
BIG … BOLD … IDEAS ARE TRANSFORMING LUPUS RESEARCH—thanks to people like you! Thanks to our remarkable supporters, the Lupus Research Alliance awarded nearly $7.5 million through the following grant mechanisms in 2019: 2019 Novel Research Grants ($1,798,602) Carla Cuda, PhD The Role of Microglial Subsets in Driving Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of SLE Northwestern University – Chicago […] READ MORE
The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) boldly pursued breakthroughs on the many fronts of lupus research in 2019—allowing the organization to fast-track avenues for new treatment options, including those orchestrated through our own clinical trials network. Throughout the year, the many brilliant scientists who received LRA funding brought new ideas to the table, ushering in discovery […] READ MORE
Taking a Closer Look at 2019 In the course of the year, the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) took daring chances, pursued bold initiatives and made important strides in the conquest of lupus. With support from great friends, we: INVESTED IN TRAILBLAZING RESEARCH PUSHED THE LIMITS OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY SOUGHT INNOVATIVE AVENUES OF INQUIRY The LRA […] READ MORE
December 10, 2019 The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) is pleased to share that a potential new treatment in development by Equillium, Inc. for lupus nephritis, itolizumab, was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As defined by the FDA, this designation is “designed to facilitate the development, and expedite the review […] READ MORE
December 4, 2019 The Lupus Research Alliance congratulates Aurinia Pharmaceuticals on achieving the first positive Phase III trial results for an urgently needed treatment for lupus nephritis. The company’s investigational drug voclosporin showed positive effectiveness and good safety for treating lupus nephritis in combination with standard therapy. “Lupus nephritis is one of the most common […] READ MORE
December 3, 2019 The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) is pleased to share positive results reported by Biogen Inc. from the Phase 2 LILAC study which tested the effectiveness and safety of a potential lupus treatment, BIIB059. BIIB059 is a monoclonal antibody that targets BDCA2, a protein found on cells known as plasmacytoid dendritic cells, which […] READ MORE
