Aurinia Pharma rises after defending lupus drug

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals

30/09/2025 13:52

** Shares of drugmaker Aurinia Pharmaceuticals AUPH.O rise 7% to $11.86 premarket

** Company responds to a now-retracted LinkedIn post by a senior FDA official referencing its lupus drug, Lupkynis

** George Tidmarsh, FDA's top drug regulator, had questioned the safety and clinical benefit of voclosporin, an active ingredient in Lupkynis, in the post

** Aurinia reaffirms the drug's safety and effectiveness, citing data from two major trials, and the FDA's full approval in 2021

** Lupkynis is approved to treat adults with active lupus nephritis, a serious kidney inflammation caused by lupus

** As of last close, shares up 23% YTD

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru)

((Kamal.Choudhury@thomsonreuters.com;))