Raptiva Fails in Phase II Trial for Psoriatic Arthritis

Last year, Genentech halted a Phase II trial of Raptiva as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis after the drug failed to result in any net clinical benefit. Just last week, the company announced preliminary results of a Phase II study of Raptiva (efalizumab) for psoriatic arthritis. The study did not show statistical significance in improving symptoms of psoriatic arthritis by at least 20 percent.

Related Resources:

• More About Raptiva
• Fast Facts About Psoriatic Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Quiz
• Psoriatic Arthritis: Test Your Knowledge
• Primary Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis - What's the Difference?

April 8, 2009 UPDATE: Genentech, Inc. has announced a phased voluntary withdrawal of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab) from the U.S. market based on the association of Raptiva with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare and usually fatal disease of the central nervous system. Raptiva is indicated for the treatment of chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults 18 years or older who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.