During the American College of Rheumatology’s annual congress, ACR Convergence, in Washington, D.C., a series of compelling poster presentations showcased studies on olokizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the inflammatory cytokine IL-6, developed by the R-Pharm group of companies. A session focused on the findings of a phase II open clinical study examining the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of olokizumab in adolescents suffering from juvenile idiopathic arthritis characterized by polyarthritis.
The study involved children aged 12–17 years, who received subcutaneous injections of olokizumab every four weeks for 24 weeks. No exacerbations of the disease were recorded during the observation period. Olokizumab therapy resulted in a decrease in the activity and severity of symptoms of the disease, as well as an improvement in the quality of life of children. At the same time, the safety profile of olokizumab was comparable to that of drugs of the same class.
“Clinical trials in pediatrics are very important for confirming the correct dose of a drug and confirming its efficacy and safety. It was very important and pleasant for us to present to the medical community the results of the first clinical trial of an innovative drug in pediatric rheumatology. The data from our study shows that olokizumab can become a new treatment option for such patients and will expand the arsenal of pediatric rheumatologists,” says Mikhail Samsonov, Medical Director of the R-Pharm Group of Companies.
