Bristol-Myers Squibb announces study results for Orencia

Bristol-Myers Squibb has unveiled the outcome of a clinical study into its rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment Orencia (abatacept).

The results showed that patients taking Orencia in combination with methotrexate achieved sustained low disease activity scores at 24 months.

Results also indicated that Orencia plus methotrexate can inhibit radiographic progression of RA and improve physical function in addition to relieving pain, swelling and fatigue.

Leader of the study Rene Westhovens, from the department of rheumatology at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, stated: “Treating moderate to severe RA patients earlier with a biologic such as Orencia, in combination with methotrexate in patients with poor prognostic factors, may help some patients return to common everyday activities.”

Other study results Bristol-Myers Squibb has released this month are those related to its type 2 diabetes drug Onglyza (saxagliptin) – a product it has developed in cooperation with fellow pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.