Lilly and Incyte report positive rheumatoid arthritis drug trial data

Lilly and Incyte have announced clinical data that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of baricitinib, their new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Topline results from RA-BEGIN, the third phase III study evaluating the drug, demonstrated the superiority of baricitinib monotherapy to methotrexate monotherapy in terms of response rate after 24 weeks of treatment.

It means the investigational medicine, designed for patients with moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, was able to meet its primary efficacy endpoint in the trial.

David Ricks, Lilly's senior vice-president and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, said: "People living with rheumatoid arthritis who achieve adequate disease control can be more active with their families, in their careers and in their communities – emphasising the importance of effective treatment options."

Results for the first phase III trial of baricitinib, RA-BEACON, were announced last December, with findings from the second, RA-BUILD, emerging in February 2015.

Detailed data from all three of these studies will be submitted for presentation in scientific meetings and publication in peer-reviewed journals in 2015 and 2016. Results from the fourth study, RA-BEAM, are expected later this year.