Weekly pharmaceutical news roundup

This week has seen progress updates issued for new drug products for rheumatoid arthritis, skin dermatitis, and for hepatitis. Each of the products is at the clinical trial stage, and three of the drugs on offer are the result of partnerships.

Two large pharmaceutical companies — Lilly and Incyte — have released the results of a joint clinical trial. The data indicates the beneficial effect of taking a therapeutic drug product called baricitinib, to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The drug, baricitinib, is an oral tablet. From the recent phase III trial, data indicates regular doses are linked with improvements for patients. Dr Terence Rooney, Lilly's senior medical director for baricitinib, told the website Zenopa that: "The findings from the RA-BEACON study suggest treatment with baricitinib is associated with meaningful improvements in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms." With a second partnership, the firms Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have released the findings from two phase III clinical trials. These trials demonstrate the efficacy of a new atopic dermatitis therapy product called dupilumab. The studies show improved measures of overall disease severity, skin clearing, itching, quality of life and mental health. Speaking on behalf of Sanofi, Dr Elias Zerhouni, who heads up global research and development, said: "These results may bring new hope to atopic dermatitis patients, many of whom have suffered for years." The third partnership offering involves Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb. At the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session, taking place this week, the firms will present research data on a new anti-coagulant medication (called Eliquis.) With a different type of medication, established pharmaceutical player Merck Sharp and Dohme has announced that it will outlining its new hepatitis C drug research data at this year's International Liver Congress during April 2016. Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Eliav Barr, vice-president for infectious diseases at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "Merck remains committed to the fight against chronic hepatitis C through our ongoing clinical programmes exploring diverse patient groups and areas of unmet need." Finally, the US FDA has given the go-ahead for Jazz Pharma's Defitelio, adding another product to the company's stable of rare disease therapies. The drug is Defitelio (defibrotide sodium), intended to treat adults and children who develop hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) as a complication of a haematological stem cell transplant (HSCT).