The R-Pharm Group of Companies has launched its own original drug, Arcerix® (goflikicept), for the pathogenetic therapy of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP) in patients aged 18 years and older. Arcerix® is the only drug in Russia registered for the therapy of patients with IRP.
Goflikicept is a fusion protein that neutralizes interleukin-1B (IL-1B), affecting its signalling pathways. As IL-1B is involved in ‘cytokine storm’ efects, goflikicept’s effects on the molecule inhibits widespread inflammation. The drug was developed in the R-Pharm laboratories and will be manufactured at the Yaroslavl plant of the group of companies.
Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis is a rare autoinflammatory syndrome defined as recurrence of pericardial inflammation of unknown origin following the first episode of acute pericarditis and a symptom-free interval of 4-6 weeks or longer. Recurrent attacks of chest pain may be the sole presentation or the chest pain may be accompanied by pericardial friction rub, electrocardiographic or echocardiographic changes, pericardial effusion and increased C-reactive protein. Cardiac tamponade is a rare, life-threatening complication.
Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis is an autoinflammatory disease that has the status of an orphan disease in Russia. One of the leading mechanisms for the development of IRP is the excessive synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines of the IL-1 family (IL-1β and IL-1α), which trigger a continuous circle of inflammation, which leads to a recurrent course of the disease.
The efficacy of goflikicept in patients with IRP was confirmed in the COURSE study, conducted in Russia in close collaboration with the Almazov National Medical Research Center and a number of other cardiology centers.
