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FDA Approves New Lupus Drug

HEALTH

For the first time in 56 years.

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved a new drug to treat lupus, which medical experts said they hope will help inspire the development of other drugs for the immune system disorder. Benlysta, the first new drug to be approved to treat lupus in 56 years, is estimated to be able to treat at least 200,000 lupus patients in the U.S. But the drug has some drawbacks: It only worked in 35 percent of North American patients, although it did show positive results in African Americans, who are disproportionally affected by lupus.

Read it at Associated Press