Pfizer announces positive results for tofacitinib

Pfizer has announced positive top-line results from a phase III study of tofacitinib for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The ongoing two-year trial, known as ORAL Start, revealed that tofacitinib was found to be superior to methotrexate (MTX) treatment in terms of inhibiting structural damage and reducing signs and symptoms of RA.

Tofacitinib, which is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, met its primary endpoints for both 5 and 10 mg twice-daily doses.

In addition, the safety profile of tofacitinib remained consistent with that seen previously in the clinical development programme, Pfizer said.

The company confirmed that a detailed analysis of the ORAL Start results will be submitted to a future scientific meeting.

RA is believed to affect approximately 23.7 million people worldwide, according to data from the World Health Organization.

It is typically experienced in the hands and feet, although any joint lined by a synovial membrane may be affected.