Janssen reports positive data for new rheumatoid arthritis drug

Janssen has reported positive data from a new clinical trial of its investigational intravenous rheumatoid arthritis therapy golimumab.

Results from the phase III study showed that golimumab was able to significantly inhibit radiographic progression in patients with active moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, despite treatment with methotrexate.

Significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of the disease were observed up to one year after the beginning of treatment, while the safety of the therapy was also demonstrated.

Golimumab is currently marketed in the US under the name Simponi for subcutaneous treatment of moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, with regulatory applications for the new version of the drug having been filed.

Study investigator Dr Rene Westhovens, professor at the department of rheumatology at KU Leuven in Belgium, said: "This phase III data shows treatment with intravenous golimumab plus methotrexate induced and maintained improvements in the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and inhibited the progression of structural damage."

Last month, Janssen reported positive data from a phase III trial of Simponi that showed the drug can also offer benefits for ulcerative colitis patients.