Orencia (abatacept) - Review Scheduled By FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee

Orencia (abatacept) is scheduled for review by the FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee on September 6, 2005. Bristol-Myers Squibb, the drugmaker, is seeking approval for Orencia (abatacept) in the treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. Orencia (abatacept) is a first-in-class selective T-cell co-stimulation modulator, which if approved would be another treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to the TNF inhibitors Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira.

UPDATE: In December 2005, Orencia, generic drug name abatacept, was approved by the FDA. Orencia is the first T-cell co-stimulation modulator approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Orencia, a fully human soluble fusion protein, works by selectively modulating a co-stimulatory signal which is required for full T-cell activation.

Related Resources:

• More About Orencia (abatacept)
• Orencia (Abatacept) For Rheumatoid Arthritis
• What's the Difference Between Orencia and Other Biologic Drugs?