In a clinical trial of pediatric patients, tocilizumab proved safe and effective for treating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis…

Subcategories:AnalgesicsBiologics/DMARDs

In a clinical trial of pediatric patients, tocilizumab proved safe and effective for treating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis…

Although it may not be available until 2017, the FDA approved the use of etanercept-szzs for multiple autoimmune diseases…
Lisa Rapaport, Reuters Staff |
(Reuters Health)—Many patients haven’t heard of biosimilars, generic versions of complex biotech drugs, and even some who say they’re familiar with these medicines may still be confused about them, a small European survey suggests.1 To see what patients know about biosimilars, researchers analyzed data from online surveys completed by 1,181 patients with irritable bowel disease…
John Miller |
ZURICH (Reuters)—Novartis has won U.S. approval for a copy of Amgen’s blockbuster arthritis drug Enbrel, but the Swiss drugmaker’s bid to muscle in on the medicine’s $4.7 billion in annual U.S. revenue remains blocked by court battles. Novartis’s Sandoz unit said on Tuesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Erelzi, its biosimilar copy…
Reuters Staff |
(Reuters)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved Novartis AG’s biosimilar version of Amgen Inc.’s arthritis drug etanercept (Enbrel). The FDA approved the drug, Erelzi, known also as etanercept-szzs, for multiple inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis, a skin condition. The agency approved the drug as a biosimilar, meaning there is no…
Will Boggs, MD |
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Adalimumab reduces the risk of uveitic flare after corticosteroid withdrawal in patients with inactive, noninfectious uveitis, according to results from VISUAL II. “Tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibition, which has been demonstrated to have strong efficacy in rheumatologic disorders, can also have significant role in the management of noninfectious uveitis, even amidst the challenges…
This is the first clinical trial of an IL-6–targeted therapy in PsA. Clazakizumab may be an effective treatment option for musculoskeletal aspects of PsA, but because of the lack of a dose response in this study, further studies are required to confirm the appropriate dose. The safety profile is consistent with the pharmacology of IL-6 blockade and prior clinical experience with this antibody in rheumatoid arthritis…
Erin Blakemore |
(Reuters Health)—Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are not more beneficial than placebo treatments for patients with knee osteoarthritis, a recent trial suggests. In a double-blind study, researchers investigated the efficacy of a medicine that delivered both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. The 164 participants all had osteoarthritis and moderate to severe knee pain. Half the participants…

Denosumab’s labeling now says a patient’s risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw may increase with prolonged exposure…
Lisa Rapaport |
(Reuters Health)—The U.S., which spends more on drugs than any other country, might contain costs by limiting market exclusivity for brand name medicines and changing coverage requirements for government health plans, some doctors argue. Although brand-name drugs account for only 10% of all dispensed prescriptions in the U.S., they make up 72% of drug spending,…