Bristol-Myers Squibb reports positive data from Orencia SC study

Bristol-Myers Squibb has highlighted positive results from a new study assessing the performance of the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of its rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug Orencia.

Data from the phase IIIb Ample trial showed that Orencia SC plus methotrexate delivered a similar level of improvements in terms of patient-reported outcomes among adults with moderate to severe RA to the therapy Humira.

Patient-reported outcomes are important performance markers that include key measures such as pain, patient global assessment, fatigue, physical function and health-related quality of life.

The Ample trial will last two years and has a primary endpoint of one-year non-inferiority to the control therapy.

Ample study investigator Dr Roy Fleischmann at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said: "By exploring patient-reported outcomes … we have advanced our understanding of an important area of focus for RA patients."

This data was presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual scientific meeting, where the firm also highlighted data assessing intravenous Orencia against juvenile idiopathic arthritis and in mild relapsing granulomatosis with polyangiitis.