Globenewswire·2026-02-09 06:00Core Insights - Sanofi's rilzabrutinib has received breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for treating warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) and orphan drug designation in Japan for the same condition [1][2][3] Group 1: Designations and Studies - The breakthrough therapy designation is based on clinical data from the ongoing LUMINA 2 phase 2b study, which assesses the efficacy and safety of rilzabrutinib for wAIHA patients [2] - A new LUMINA 3 phase 3 study is also underway, comparing rilzabrutinib with placebo in wAIHA patients [2] - There are currently no approved treatments specifically targeting the underlying cause of wAIHA, which can lead to anemia and serious organ damage [2] Group 2: Rilzabrutinib Overview - Rilzabrutinib is a novel oral, reversible Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor that aims to restore immune balance through multi-immune modulation [7][8] - It is already approved in the US, EU, and UAE for treating immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and is under regulatory review for ITP in Japan [4][8] - Rilzabrutinib has received multiple designations, including orphan drug status for autoimmune hemolytic anemia and other rare diseases [5] Group 3: About wAIHA - wAIHA is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by the destruction of red blood cells, affecting 4 to 24 people per 100,000 in the US and EU, and 3 to 10 people per million in Japan [6] - Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, and shortness of breath, with potential complications such as thromboembolism [6] Group 4: Company Overview - Sanofi is an R&D driven biopharma company focused on improving lives through innovative medicines and vaccines, with a commitment to addressing urgent healthcare challenges [10]