Company Description
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering therapies to people living with autoimmune diseases with high unmet medical needs. According to the company’s public disclosures, Aurinia is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical organization centered on the development and commercialization of therapies for serious autoimmune conditions.
The company’s lead commercial product is LUPKYNIS (voclosporin), described in multiple company press releases as the first FDA‑approved oral therapy for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis, a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. LUPKYNIS is a second generation calcineurin inhibitor with a dual mechanism of action, acting as an immunosuppressant through inhibition of T‑cell activation and cytokine production and promoting podocyte stability in the kidney. It is indicated in combination with a background immunosuppressive therapy regimen for adult patients with active lupus nephritis.
Aurinia reports that its business model combines commercial operations for LUPKYNIS with ongoing research and development activities. Revenue is described in filings and press releases as coming from net product sales of LUPKYNIS and license, collaboration and royalty revenue, which includes manufacturing services revenue from a collaboration partner. The company’s financial statements show it reports total revenue, cost of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses, research and development expenses, and other operating items typical of a commercial‑stage biopharmaceutical company.
Focus on Lupus Nephritis and Autoimmune Diseases
Company communications emphasize that lupus nephritis is among the most severe and dangerous complications of systemic lupus erythematosus. Aurinia highlights the role of LUPKYNIS‑based triple immunosuppressive therapy, combining LUPKYNIS, mycophenolate mofetil and low‑dose glucocorticoids, in preserving kidney health. Data from the AURORA clinical program, including the AURORA 1 pivotal trial and AURORA 2 extension trial, are cited by the company as demonstrating the importance of this triple regimen to reduce proteinuria and support long‑term kidney outcomes without reliance on chronic high‑dose glucocorticoids.
A post‑hoc analysis of the AURORA 1 study, described in the company’s news releases, showed that patients receiving LUPKYNIS‑based triple immunosuppressive therapy achieved lower urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) targets at higher rates than control patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil and low‑dose glucocorticoids alone. Additional analyses have examined lipidomic profiles and real‑world data from the ENLIGHT‑LN registry of adult lupus nephritis patients treated with LUPKYNIS.
Pipeline: Aritinercept (AUR200)
Beyond its commercial product, Aurinia is also developing aritinercept (AUR200). Company disclosures describe aritinercept as a dual inhibitor of B cell‑activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation‑inducing ligand (APRIL) for the potential treatment of autoimmune diseases. A Phase 1 single‑ascending‑dose study in healthy subjects evaluated subcutaneous doses of aritinercept and reported that the drug was well tolerated at all dose levels tested, with no treatment‑related serious adverse events or discontinuations due to treatment‑related adverse events.
The Phase 1 study results reported by Aurinia showed that single doses of aritinercept led to robust and long‑lasting reductions in immunoglobulins, including immunoglobulin A, M and G. The company has stated that the pharmacodynamic effects are supportive of once‑monthly dosing and has indicated plans to initiate clinical studies of aritinercept in at least two autoimmune diseases, reflecting its strategy to expand beyond lupus nephritis into additional autoimmune indications.
Regulatory and Safety Information for LUPKYNIS
Aurinia’s public materials include detailed prescribing and safety information for LUPKYNIS. LUPKYNIS carries boxed warnings regarding malignancies and serious infections associated with immunosuppressive therapy. The company notes that immunosuppressants, including LUPKYNIS, increase the risk of lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin, and increase the risk of bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections, which may lead to serious or fatal outcomes.
Additional warnings and precautions described by the company include nephrotoxicity, hypertension, neurotoxicity, hyperkalemia, QTc prolongation, immunization considerations and the potential for pure red cell aplasia. The use of LUPKYNIS is contraindicated in patients taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and in patients who have had a serious or severe hypersensitivity reaction to LUPKYNIS or its excipients. Aurinia’s disclosures also discuss dose adjustments or avoidance in patients with renal or hepatic impairment and considerations for use in pregnancy and lactation.
Operations and Financial Reporting
Aurinia is incorporated in Canada and files reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Form 10‑K annual reports, Form 10‑Q quarterly reports and Form 8‑K current reports. Recent Form 8‑K filings reference earnings releases and investor updates, including quarterly financial results and information about the company’s share repurchase plan and clinical data announcements.
The company’s condensed consolidated financial statements show that it reports total assets, cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments, accounts receivable, inventory, intangible assets, lease assets, property and equipment, and other noncurrent assets. On the liabilities side, Aurinia reports accounts payable, accrued expenses, finance lease liabilities, deferred revenue, operating lease liabilities and other noncurrent obligations. Shareholders’ equity includes common shares, additional paid‑in capital, accumulated other comprehensive loss and accumulated deficit.
Through its public earnings releases, Aurinia has described trends in net product sales of LUPKYNIS, license, collaboration and royalty revenue, net income, and cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities. The company has also disclosed a share repurchase plan approved by its Board of Directors, under which it has repurchased common shares through open market and other mechanisms, and has noted that it relies on exemptive relief granted by Canadian securities authorities in connection with this program.
Research, Medical Engagement and Conferences
Aurinia regularly highlights its participation in major medical and scientific meetings related to rheumatology and nephrology. Company news releases describe presentations of new data on LUPKYNIS at events such as the American College of Rheumatology Convergence, the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week and the International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (LUPUS). These presentations include real‑world effectiveness and usage data, pediatric post‑marketing data, mechanistic studies of voclosporin disposition and distribution, and analyses of proteinuria reduction and lipidomic changes in lupus nephritis patients.
Through these activities, Aurinia positions LUPKYNIS and its clinical program within the broader medical community focused on lupus nephritis and autoimmune kidney disease. The company’s communications emphasize early and deep reductions in proteinuria, preservation of kidney function and the potential impact on cardiovascular risk factors as key therapeutic goals.
Stock and Industry Classification
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol AUPH. Based on the provided classification, the company operates within the Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing industry in the broader Manufacturing sector. Its profile in public disclosures is that of a commercial‑stage biopharmaceutical issuer with a marketed product in lupus nephritis and an active pipeline program targeting autoimmune diseases.