GlaxoSmithKline gets positive trial results for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline announced positive top-line results from the phase III programme investigating sirukumab, which is used for the treatment of patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.

Sirukumab, which is being developed as part of a collaboration with Janssen Biologics, is an investigational human anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds with high affinity to the IL-6 cytokine, a naturally occurring protein that is believed to play a role in autoimmune conditions.

The company said there no unexpected safety findings relative to the known effects of the inhibitors.

Long-term safety and efficacy data are currently being collected in ongoing extensions of the phase III trials and regulatory applications for sirukumab for rheumatoid arthritis are expected in 2016.

Glaxo said full results from the three pivotal studies will be presented at forthcoming scientific conferences and submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Sirukumab is currently not approved as a treatment for any indication anywhere in the world.

At 1417 GMT, Glaxo shares were up 1.8% to 1,331.50p.