The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of nipocalimab versus placebo in participants with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

SLE is a complex, immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology that can affect almost any organ system and follows a waxing and waning disease course. In SLE, the immune system attacks the body cells and tissues and the resulting inflammation and tissue damage can harm the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Nipocalimab is a fully human aglycosylated immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 monoclonal antibody designed to selectively bind, saturate, and block the IgG binding site on the endogenous neonatal fragment crystallizable receptor (FcRn). Thus, nipocalimab, a FcRn antibody, has potential in treatment of SLE through lowering of pathogenic IgGs and immune complexes. The study will consist of a Screening Period (less than or equal to [<=] 6 Weeks), double-blind Treatment Period (52 Weeks), and a Follow-up Period (6 Weeks). Key safety assessments will include adverse events (AEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), adverse events of special interests (AESIs), clinical laboratory tests (hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, and lipid profile) and vital signs. The total duration of the study is up to 64 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Has a clinical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) greater than or equal to (>=) 6 months prior to the screening visit and according to Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)-2012 classification criteria: at least 4 criteria fulfilled, with at least 1 clinical criterion and 1 immunologic criterion
• Has at least 1 BILAG (british isles lupus assessment group) A and/or 2 BILAG B scores observed during screening
• Must have at least moderately active SLE, as defined as systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score >= 6 at screening visit. Must also have SLEDAI 2K >= 4 for clinical features (that is, SLEDAI-2K score excluding headache and laboratory abnormalities) present at Week 0 prior to randomization
• Has a CLASI (cutaneous lupus erythematosus disease area and severity index) activity score of at least 6 (excluding diffuse non-inflammatory alopecia) or at least 4 joints with pain and signs of inflammation (active joints) at screening or at Week 0, or both
• At least 1 unequivocally positive autoantibody test including antinuclear antibodies (ANA) (>= 1:80) and/or anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) antibodies (level >= 75 international units/milliliter [IU/mL]) and/or anti-Smith antibodies (>120 Absorbance unit/milliliter [AU/mL]) detected during screening
• Must be receiving 1 or more of the following protocol-permitted, systemic standard-of-care treatments prior to first administration of study intervention at a stable dose: oral glucocorticoids, antimalarial or up to 2 immunomodulatory drugs

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current or history of, severe, progressive, or uncontrolled renal disease, with the exception of active lupus nephritis (LN). Have severe active LN as determined by sponsor (or designee) adjudication. Control of renal disease must be documented with at least 2 measurements of proteinuria or urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR) over the 6 months prior to screening
• Has any unstable or progressive manifestation of SLE that is likely to warrant escalation in therapy beyond permitted background medications
• Confirmed or suspected inflammatory diseases that might confound the evaluations of efficacy
• Has a severe infection including opportunistic infections requiring parenteral anti-infectives, and/or hospitalization within 8 weeks prior to screening
• Has received a single B-cell targeting agent within 3 months prior to first administration of study intervention

The data sharing policy of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson is available at www.janssen.com/clinical trials/transparency. As noted on this site, requests for access to the study data can be submitted through Yale Open Data Access (YODA) Project site at yoda.yale.edu