This study will investigate BMS-986165 to assess its effects in participants with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Inclusion Criteria: * Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease diagnosed ≥ 24 weeks before the screening visit * Meets the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) classification criteria for SLE * One of the following: elevated antinuclear antibodies (ANA) ≥ 1:80 or positive anti- double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) (positive includes indeterminate results) or positive anti-Smith (anti-Sm) as determined by the central laboratory * Total Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score ≥ 6 points and clinical SLEDAI-2K score ≥ 4 points with joint involvement and/or rash \[score must be confirmed by Central Review Services (CRS)\] * Men and women must agree to follow specific methods of contraception, if applicable Exclusion Criteria: * Drug-induced SLE, certain other autoimmune diseases, and active, severe lupus nephritis * SLE overlap syndromes such as scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease * Clinically significant abnormalities on chest x-ray or electrocardiogram (ECG) * History of any significant drug allergy Other protocol defined inclusion/exclusion criteria apply