Anifrolumab (Saphnelo)

A monoclonal antibody that binds the type I interferon receptor subunit 1 (IFNAR1), blocking signaling from all type I interferons at once. Since dysregulated type I interferon signaling is a central driver of SLE in many patients, this approach directly targets one of the disease's core amplification mechanisms rather than broadly suppressing the immune system. Approved by the FDA in 2021 as the second SLE-specific therapy after belimumab, and now administered to more than 40,000 patients worldwide.

Intravenous infusion, 300 mg every 4 weeks; a subcutaneous self-administered autoinjector formulation was approved in April 2026 for greater convenience.

pharmaceutical