Pfizer reports positive trial data on rheumatoid arthritis drug

Pfizer has published detailed clinical trial data that highlights the benefits of its developmental rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug tofacitinib.

Results are being presented at the annual congress of the European League Against Rheumatism from a pivotal phase III trial called Oral Sync, which evaluated the treatment among patients who have proven unresponsive to other therapies.

It was found that patients who have proven unresponsive to traditional or biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) saw reduced signs and symptoms of RA compared to those in a placebo control group.

Yvonne Greenstreet, senior vice-president and head of the medicines development group for Pfizer's specialty care business unit, said: "Pfizer is encouraged by the efficacy and safety findings from Oral Sync, which showed that tofacitinib may be an oral option for patients not responding adequately to traditional DMARDs."

Earlier this week, the company also presented new clinical trial data showing that its drug Inspra can help heart failure patients to avoid atrial fibrillation or flutter.