IFIH1 and autoimmune disease: In addition to the genetic component,[10, 11] environmental factors, such as viral infections, induce excessive activation of MDA5, which in turn causes autoimmunity.[12]Recent reports have shown that 48.2% of COVID‐19 patients are positive for anti‐MDA5 antibodies and that high titers of this antibody are associated with severe disease and an unfavorable prognosis.[13] Thus, developing precision therapies that target the MDA5 protein to treat various MDA5‐mediated autoimmune diseases is urgently needed.