Study halted prematurely and will not resume. Subjects were seen until February 2017

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of blisibimod as measured by a composite responder index in subjects who, despite corticosteroid use, continue to have seropositive, clinically-active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as defined by SELENA-SLEDAI score ≥10, and positive for anti-double stranded DNA and low complement (C3 or C4).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Fulfill at least 4 diagnostic criteria for SLE defined by American College of Rheumatology
• Active SLE disease as defined by SELENA-SLEDAI score ≥10 despite on-going stable corticosteroid therapy
• Positive for anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) and low complement
• Subjects with stable nephritis may be enrolled
• 18 years of age or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe active central nervous system lupus
• Malignancy within past 5 years
• Known to be positive for HIV and/or positive at the screening visit for hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
• Comorbidities that would interfere with evaluations of study drug effect
• Active infection requiring hospitalization or treatment with parenteral antibiotics within the past 60 days or history of repeated herpetic viral infections
• History of active tuberculosis or a history of tuberculosis infection
• Pregnant or nursing