What’s going on in the world of vasculitis…?
On 5 October 2026, CSL and the Swiss company Alentis Therapeutics announced a global partnership to develop lixudebart. This study medicine is aimed at AAV with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (AAV-RPGN), the form in which kidney function can decline within days or weeks.
Since avacopan was taken off the European market, many patients with GPA or MPA ask: is anyone else working on medicines that could reduce our use of corticosteroids such as prednisolone? The answer is yes, but it will likely take several years before they reach patients.
On 7 November 2026, the Italian patient association APACS will bring people living with EGPA, their families and clinicians together in Milan for a day of learning and open discussion.
Germany’s Tag der Selbsthilfe on 16 September highlights the important role of local self-help groups. Vasculitis International is connecting vasculitis SHGs across Germany, combining peer support close to home with wider cooperation, shared knowledge and patient advocacy.
Where the EU authorisation was revoked outright, MHRA has built in a runway. From 1 September, avacopan can no longer be started in new patients. Existing UK patients, however, can keep receiving it for a defined six-month transition period, with supply guaranteed by the manufacturer — before MHRA formally revokes the UK authorisation on 1 March 2027.
This is the news we hoped we would not have to publish.
The European Commission has adopted its final decision and revoked the marketing authorisation for TAVNEOS® (avacopan) in the European Union and the European Economic Area.