62% of Childhood Arthritis Patients Were Symptom-free With Novartis AG's ACZ885

Results from a late-stage trial showed that Novartis AG's (NVS) drug Ilaris helped relieve symptoms in patients suffering from the most severe form of childhood arthritis, the Swiss drug maker said Wednesday, confirming plans to submit the drug to regulators for this indication later this year. The Phase III study showed that 62% of participating children with a rare and serious auto-inflammatory disease called systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, known as SJIA, became symptom-free when treated with the drug, also known as ACZ885 or canakinumab, against 32% of those taking a placebo after an initial treatment with the drug. The study also showed that one-third of the patients were able to stop taking steroids within five months and that ACZ885 can extend the time to the next flare-up of the disease.