Celgene arthritis treatment receives FDA approval

Celgene has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its apremilast psoriatic arthritis treatment.

The drug blocks the phosphodiesterase 4 enzyme to ease swelling in joints and improve physical function for patients affected by the condition.

Following a phase III clinical trial of almost 1,500 patients, the oral treatment recorded similar efficacy results to the currently-available injectable alternatives.

Furthermore, the list of most common side effects is limited to weight loss, diarrhoea, nausea and headaches, which means the drug – to be marketed as Otezla – will not be required to carry a boxed warning. 

Scott Smith, Celgene's head of inflammation, said: "Patients and physicians have expressed their desire for a safe and effective therapy for psoriatic arthritis that has the potential to simplify patient management."

The company has also applied for approval for the treatment to be administered to the wider psoriasis population and an FDA decision on this is expected by September.