A Research Study to Evaluate the Effects of a New Oral Medicine Called Cenerimod in Adults With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

- Signed Informed Consent Form (ICF) prior to any study-mandated procedure,

- Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) made at least 6 months prior to Screening, according to 2019 European League Against Rheumatism / American College of Rheumatology Criteria.

- An modified Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2000 (mSLEDAI-2K) score ≥ 6 and clinical mSLEDAI-2K score ≥ 4 with at least 2 points for musculoskeletal or mucocutaneous manifestations (i.e., myositis, arthritis, rash, alopecia, mucosal ulcers). The mSLEDAI-2K score does not include "leukopenia".

- British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-2004 (BILAG) Grade B in ≥ 2 organ systems or a BILAG Grade A in ≥ 1 organ system.

- Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) score ≥ 1.0 on a 0 to 3 Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

- Currently treated with one or more of the following SLE background medications:

- Negative serum pregnancy test at Screening.

- Agreement to undertake monthly urine pregnancy tests from Randomization up to 6 months after study treatment discontinuation.

- Agreement to use a highly effective method of contraception from Screening (Visit 1) up to 6 months after study treatment discontinuation. Inclusion criteria at randomization:

- A clinical mSLEDAI-2K score ≥ 4 with at least 2 points for musculoskeletal or mucocutaneous manifestations (i.e., myositis, arthritis, rash, alopecia, mucosal ulcers).

- British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-2004 (BILAG) Grade B in 2 or more organ systems or a BILAG Grade A in 1 or more organ system.

- Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) score ≥ 1.0 on a 0 to 3 visual analog scale.

- Presence of at least one of the following items of serological evidence of active SLE or biological variables predictive of Type 1 Interferon (IFN-1) high signature (in a Screening sample as measured by central laboratory):

- Currently treated with one or more of the following SLE background medications that must be stable for at least 30 days prior to Randomization (except OCS, which must be stable for at least 15 days prior to Randomization):

- WoCBP must have a negative urine pregnancy test at Randomization. Main Exclusion Criteria:

- Pregnant, planning to be become pregnant up to Final Study Visit or lactating women.

- Severe central nervous system lupus or active severe or unstable neuropsychiatric SLE characterized by: aseptic meningitis; cerebral vasculitis; myelopathy; demyelination syndromes (ascending, transverse, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy); acute confusional state; impaired level of consciousness; psychosis; acute stroke or stroke syndrome; cranial neuropathy; status epilepticus; cerebellar ataxia; or mononeuritis multiplex:

- A diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease or any history of overlap syndromes of SLE with psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, erosive arthritis, scleroderma, autoimmune hepatitis or uncontrolled autoimmune thyroid disease.

- History or presence of Mobitz type II or third-degree atrioventricular block, sick sinus syndrome, symptomatic bradycardia or syncope associated with cardiac disorders.

- Subjects who experienced myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, stroke, transient ischemic attack, vascular thrombosis, decompensated heart failure requiring hospitalization, or heart failure defined by the New York Heart Association Class III/IV within 6 months prior to Screening.

- Resting Heart Rate < 50 bpm as measured by the 12-lead ECG at Screening or at Randomization.

- An elevated QT interval corrected according to Fridericia's formula (QTcF) interval of > 470 ms (females) / > 450 ms (males) at Screening or at Randomization.

- History or presence of severe respiratory disease or pulmonary fibrosis, based on medical history and chest X-ray (or CT scan as per local guidelines), performed at Screening or within 6 months prior to Screening.

- History of clinically relevant bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that has required treatment with oral or parenteral CS for more than a total of 2 weeks within the last 6 months prior to Screening.

- History or presence of malignancy (except for surgically excised basal or squamous cell skin or mucosal lesions, including dysplasia and carcinoma in situ), lymphoproliferative disease, or history of total lymphoid irradiation.

- Presence of macular edema or active uveitis detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) during screening.

- History of chronic liver or biliary disease (other than Gilbert's Syndrome) or subjects with alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase > 3 × Upper Limit of Normal (ULN) or total bilirubin > 1.5 ULN (unless in the context of known Gilbert's Syndrome).

- Significant hematology abnormality at screening assessment:

- Treatment with the following medications within 15 days or 5 half-lives of the medication (whichever is longer) prior to Randomization:

- Treatment with the following medications within 30 days or 5 half-lives of the medication (whichever is longer) prior to Randomization:

- Intra-articular, intramuscular or i.v. CS within 6 weeks prior to Randomization.

- Treatment with the following medications within 90 days or 5 half-lives of the medication (whichever is longer) prior to Randomization:

- Treatment with any investigational agent within 90 days or 5 half-lives of the drug (whichever is longer) prior to Randomization.

- Treatment with B cell-depleting biological agents, e.g., rituximab or ocrelizumab, within 12 months prior to Randomization.

- Treatment with anifrolumab within 12 months prior to Randomization.

- Treatment with any of the following medications any time prior to Screening: