Viela Bio’s Uplizna Approved for Rare Autoimmune Disease

The FDA has approved Viela Bio’s Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) for intravenous treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in adults with a particular antibody.

The approval was based on the results of a clinical trial of 230 patients, in which the risk of relapse in treated patients was reduced by 77 percent compared to a placebo.

Uplizna is only the second treatment approved for the rare autoimmune disease, which affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. The FDA approved Alexion’s Soliris (eculizumab) in June 2019.