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FDA approves Orencia for PsA
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The FDA has approved Orencia for the treatment of patients with active psoriatic arthritis. It is approved for both subcutaneous and intravenous injections, according to a company press release.
“The data that formed the basis of this approval demonstrate that Orencia, a selective T-cell co-stimulation modulator, offers an additional option for rheumatologists and other health care professionals to consider when selecting a treatment for their active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients,” Brian J. Gavin, vice president and Orencia development lead at Bristol-Myers Squibb, told Healio Rheumatology. “Active PsA is a chronic, inflammatory disease that can cause joint pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion. Left untreated, this can result in irreversible joint damage and once patients have been treated with non-biologic [disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs] DMARDs or biologics, such as [tumor necrosis factor] TNF inhibitors, it may be more difficult to obtain an adequate efficacy response.”
Orencia (abatacept, Bristol Myers-Squibb) works by inhibition of T-cell activation, which is involved in the pathogenesis of PsA. Orencia should not be administered concomitantly with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors or other biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, according to the release.
“Orencia demonstrated benefit with or without the use of concomitant non-biological DMARDs and also, importantly, in patients who had previously been treated with TNF inhibitors,” Gavin said. “Bristol-Myers Squibb is proud to make this new option available as part of our commitment to advancing immunoscience research that helps address where treatment options are limited or improvements are needed.” – by Will Offit
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