Bristol-Myers Squibb says safety of RA drugs is vital

Bristol-Myers Squibb has stressed the importance for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medication to be safe and effective over an extended period of time.

The company released seven-year data of its Orencia (abatacept) drug, which has been designed to manage the effects of RA in sufferers who have an inadequate response to methotrexate.

Taking the latter therapy along with Orencia was well tolerated by patients and there was no increased risk of adverse safety events from the combination.

Professor Rene Westhovens from the University Hospital Leuven in Belgium asserted the relevance of the long-term data should not be underestimated.

Such chronic medical conditions are progressive and sufferers often have to deal with the illness for the rest of their lives, he added.

“For both patients and clinicians therefore, it is important that a treatment has a proven long-term safety and efficacy profile,” Professor Westhovens concluded.

Yesterday (June 12th), Bristol-Myers Squibb presented at the Goldman Sachs Global Healthcare Conference.

Dr Elliott Sigal, chief scientific officer and president of the company’s research and development department, attended to answer questions about the business.