Pfizer's RA drug, tofacitinib, gains approval in several additional countries

News

Pfizer announced yesterday that its rheumatoid arthritis treatment, tofacitinib, has obtained approval for patients with inadequate response to current therapies in several additional countries globally, including Switzerland, Argentina, Kuwait, UAE and Russia. The drug has already been approved in the US.

Switzerland, the first European country to receive approval, saw approval by Swissmedic – the Swiss agency for therapeutic products.

It will be known under its brand name, XELJANZ, except in Russia, where the brand name will be Jaquinus®.

"With these approvals, we believe XELJANZ has the potential to change the way rheumatologists treat this chronic, and potentially disabling, disease, and we are proud to offer patients and physicians an additional treatment option."

Geno Germano, Specialty care and oncology president and general manager, Pfizer

XELJANZ is a novel, oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor and is the first approved RA treatment in its class of drugs.

Reference links:

Pfizer Provides Update on Global Regulatory Approvals and Launches of XELJANZ® (tofacitinib citrate) for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (Press release)