Lilly, Incyte announce positive results of RA treatment study.
+ Technology/Innovation
Jamie Barrand | Oct 7, 2015

Lilly, Incyte announce positive results of RA treatment study

Eli Lilly and Co. and Incyte Corp. have announced the achievement of positive top-line results of RA-BEGIN, the Phase 3 study for baricitinib, an investigational treatment for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA); test subjects for the RA-BEGIN study had limited or no prior treatment with methotrexate, and they had no knowledge of other conventional or biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). 

"Too many people with rheumatoid arthritis who are treated with methotrexate -- commonly used across the disease continuum for 25 years -- do not achieve adequate disease control, which can cause disability and impede productivity," David Ricks, Lilly senior vice president and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, said. "People living with RA who achieve adequate disease control can be more active with their families, in their careers and in their communities -- emphasizing the importance of effective treatment options."

The companies plan to submit additional detailed data from all RA-BEGIN studies and present it at scientific meetings as well as publish it in peer-reviewed journals. 

"The superiority of baricitinib over methotrexate in the treatment of patients with early RA adds to the positive data already seen for baricitinib in RA patients with inadequate responses to traditional DMARDs (RA-BUILD) and biological therapies (RA-BEACON)," said Rich Levy, M.D., chief drug development officer of Incyte.

More information is available online at www.lilly.com.

Lilly was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs.

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