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11 Mar 2011

FDA OKs Benlysta for Lupus

The first new drug to treat lupus in more than 50 years, developed by Human Genome Sciences, was approved by the FDA.

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline received approval from the FDA for Benlysta (belimumab) for the treatment of autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients receiving standard therapy.
 
Benlysta is the first in a new class of drugs called BLyS-specific inhibitors. Belimumab blocks the binding of soluble BLyS, a B-cell survival factor, to its receptors on B cells.

"We and GSK are honored to have the opportunity, with the approval of FDA, to bring Benlysta forward in the U.S. as the first new drug for systemic lupus in more than 50 years,” said H. Thomas Watkins, president and chief executive officer,

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