Novartis Juvenile Arthritis Drug Demonstrates Positive Results in Phase III Trial

Novartis' ACZ885 shows positive results in a Phase III trial involving patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Novartis' ACZ885 (canakinumab) has showed positive results in a Phase III trial involving patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a rare and serious childhood auto-inflammatory disease.

ACZ885 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that works by neutralising IL-1 beta for a sustained period of time, thereby inhibiting inflammation.

The four-week, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study involved 84 patients aged between two and 19, who were given either a single subcutaneous dose of ACZ885 (4mg/kg, up to 300mg) or a placebo.

The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving the adapted ACR Paediatric 30 criteria, demonstrating a 30% improvement from bas