new biotech drug on the horizon for rheumatoid arthritis called Orencia (oh-REN-see-ah)
February 2006
You'll hear about a new biotech drug on the horizon for rheumatoid arthritis called Orencia (oh-REN-see-ah).
Orencia (abatacept) is an immune modulator. It inhibits T-cell activation...but it works "upstream" from where TNF blockers work.
This means that Orencia reduces the production of tumor necrosis factor plus other immune modulators. Orencia will be an IV option for patients who don't respond to TNF blockers or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
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