Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting more than 20 million people worldwide and remains associated with substantial morbidity, progressive disability, and reduced quality of life. 

Contrary to common misconceptions, RA does not only affect older individuals, with an average age of onset around 40 years. 

Despite major therapeutic advances over the past two decades, most patients fail to achieve sustained remission. Current treatments - including conventional DMARDs, biologics, and JAK inhibitors - primarily focus on controlling inflammation and symptoms rather than addressing the underlying drivers of the disease.

Many patients experience incomplete responses, loss of efficacy over time, treatment cycling, and long-term safety or tolerability challenges. 

As a result, RA continues to impose significant physical, emotional, and socioeconomic burdens on both patients and healthcare systems. There remains a critical need for innovative therapies capable of delivering durable and transformative outcomes.