Inclusion Criteria:

Participants eligible for inclusion in this study must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Adult male and female participants aged 18 years or older at the time of screening
2. Weigh at least 35 kg at screening
3. Have a confirmed clinical diagnosis of SLE according to European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) classification criteria
4. Have a positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) test result; ANA titer ≥ 1:80 at screening visit based on central or local laboratory result
5. Active LN at screening, as defined by meeting the 3 following criteria:

Renal biopsy within 6 months prior to screening period indicating ISN/RPS class III or IV active glomerulonephritis with or without co-existing class V features, or pure class V membranous LN. If no biopsy was performed within 6 months prior to screening period, a biopsy will need to be performed during the screening period after having met all other inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Newly diagnosed participants as well as pre-treated LN participants (including refractory cases) can be included, as long as they are currently on, or willing to initiate SoC induction therapy for LN using MPA

1. Induction therapy, as defined by treatment including both high dose corticosteroids and MPA, should be initiated prior to or on day of randomization
2. Anti-malarial treatment at stable dosing prior to randomization is strongly recommended, in the absence of contraindications
3. Participants on azathioprine treatment at Screening must be switched to MPA prior to randomization
4. Receipt of at least one dose of pulse methylprednisolone i.v. (250 - 1000 mg per day up to 3000 mg cumulative dose) or equivalent for treatment of current episode of active LN within 60 days prior randomization.
5. Able to communicate well with the Investigator to understand and comply with the requirements of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants meeting any of the following criteria are not eligible for inclusion in this study:

1. Severe renal impairment as defined by i.) presence of oliguria (defined as a documented urine volume < 400 mL/24 hrs) or ii.) End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or transplantation
2. Sclerosis in > 50% of glomeruli on renal biopsy
3. Use of other investigational drugs within 5 half-lives of enrollment, or within 30 days or until the expected pharmacodynamic effect has returned to baseline
4. Prior use of any B cell depleting therapy within 36 weeks prior to randomization or if therapy was administered < 36 weeks prior to randomization B cell count less than the lower limit of normal or patient's own baseline value prior to having received an earlier B cell-depleting therapy

Prior treatment with any of the following within 12 weeks prior to randomization

1. Belimumab, telitacicept, abatacept, TNF-α mAb, immunoglobulins (i.v./s.c.) plasmapheresis
2. Any other immuno-suppressants (i.v. or oral cyclophosphamide, calcineurin inhibitors, JAK inhibitors or other kinase inhibitors)
3. Thalidomide treatment and/or one of the following DMARDs: methotrexate or an imidazole derivative (e.g., mizoribine)
4. Receipt of more than 3000 mg i.v. pulse methylprednisolone (cumulative dose) within 12 weeks prior to randomization
5. History of major organ transplant or hematopoietic stem cell/bone marrow transplant or are due to receive transplantation

Any one of the following laboratory values at screening:

1. Hemoglobin levels < 8.0 g/dL (< 5 mmol/L), or < 7.0 g/dL (< 4.3 mmol/L) if related to participant's SLE such as in active hemolytic anaemia
2. Platelet count < 25 x 1000/µL
3. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) < 0.8 x 1000/µL
4. Active viral, bacterial or other infections requiring systemic treatment at the time of screening, or history of recurrent clinically significant infection
5. History of known intolerance/hypersensitivity to MPA, oral corticosteroids, or any component of the study drug(s) or its excipients
6. Receipt of live/attenuated vaccine within a 4-week period prior to randomization
7. History of primary or secondary immunodeficiency, including a positive HIV test result
8. History of malignancy of any organ system (other than localized basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or or in-situ cervical cancer), treated or untreated, within the past 5 years, regardless of whether there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases
9. Any surgical, medical (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, heart failure or diabetes), psychiatric or additional physical condition that the Investigator feels may jeopardize the participants in case of participation in this study
10. Chronic infection with hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV). Positive serology for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) excludes the participant
11. Evidence of active tuberculosis (TB) infection (after anti-TB treatment, participants with history of TB may become eligible according to national local guidelines)
12. Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women
13. Women of child-bearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, unless they are using highly effective methods of contraception during dosing and for 6 months after stopping of investigational medication
14. Sexually active male participants, who do not agree to use barrier protection during intercourse with women of child-bearing potential while taking study treatment

Other protocol -defined Inclusion/Exclusion may apply.