In a recent study, researchers found long-term voclosporin (Lupkynis™) treatment safe and effective for treatment of lupus nephritis (LN, lupus related kidney disease). Voclosporin is a novel, structurally modified calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) that works in two ways – acting as an immunosuppressant through inhibition of T-cell activation and cytokine production, and by promoting podocyte stability in the kidney.

216 people with LN were enrolled in the AURORA 2 study which evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of voclosporin compared to the placebo, or control group. The participants in this phase 3, international, double-blind, 24-month long study had already completed 12 months of treatment in the AURORA 1 study.

Over the three-year period, the study found:

• Voclosporin was well tolerated with stability of kidney function.
• Adverse events were comparable between the voclosporin group (86.2%) and control group (80%), as well as the incidence of serious adverse events between the treatment and control groups (18.1% vs. 23%).
• During treatment, proteinuria continued to improve, leading to improved overall kidney function for the voclosporin group.
• Approximately 30% of the voclosporin group ended AURORA 2 on a lower dose compared to only 9% of the control group, showcasing the effectiveness over time.

LN affects up to 60% of people with lupus. The study further supports other data validating the use of voclosporin in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and low-dose glucocorticoids for the treatment of LN. Continue to follow the Lupus Foundation of America for news in lupus drug development and learn more about voclosporin.

Read the study