Pfizer has announced that its rheumatic disease therapy Enbrel has been approved for a new indication in Europe.
The European Commission has ratified a label extension for the drug that will allow it to be used in the treatment of adult patients with severe non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, a painful and progressive condition that often develops into the more serious ankylosing spondylitis.
Data from a pivotal trial called Study 1031 showed that 32.4 per cent of patients experienced significant improvements when treated with the drug, compared to 15.7 per cent of those receiving a placebo.
Enbrel is a member of a class of drugs known as anti-TNFs and was the third top-selling medicine in the world last year.
Dr Berkeley Phillips, Pfizer’s UK medical director, said: “This licence extension reflects Pfizer’s continuing commitment to enhancing the scientific community’s understanding of rheumatic diseases and providing treatment options for patients.”
This comes after Eliquis, the anticoagulant therapy it co-markets with Bristol-Myers Squibb, was approved for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism last week.
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