Vertex Pharmaceuticals (MA) Release: Phase 2 Data for Selective Oral JAK3 Inhibitor VX-509 Show Significant Improvements in Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced the final results from a Phase 2a study of the investigational selective oral JAK3 inhibitor VX-509. The data showed substantial and statistically significant improvements in multiple measurements of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity. The 12-week study met its two primary endpoints, defined as a statistically significant improvement in the proportion of people who achieved at least a 20 percent improvement in the signs and symptoms of RA, also known as ACR20, and a statistically significant improvement from baseline in Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28). For the two highest dose groups of the study, statistically significant ACR20, ACR50, ACR70, and DAS28 responses were also observed as compared to placebo, and more than one-third of people in these groups achieved clinical remission (DAS28 remission). Overall, the most frequently reported class of adverse event in the VX-509 and placebo arms was infections. The data from the study will be presented in a poster session on November 8 at the 2011 Annual Meeting for the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in Chicago.

Back to news