J&J, GSK start phase-3 trial program for rheumatoid arthritis drug

SPRING HOUSE, Pa. — A division of Johnson & Johnson has started a late-stage clinical trial program for a drug for rheumatoid arthritis under a partnership with British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline.



Janssen Biologics, based in Ireland, said it and GSK had started phase-3 studies of CNTO 136 (sirukumab), which the companies are investigating as a treatment for adults with moderately to severely active RA. The program includes two trials, SIRROUND-T and SIRROUND-D, which will assess how well CNTO 136 reduces signs and symptoms of the disease in patients who are allergic to certain drugs used to treat the disease.



"We are focused on advancing treatment options for chronic, debilitating autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis," Janssen Research & Development VP and head of immunology development Jerome Boscia said. "We are pleased to be collaborating with GlaxoSmithKline on the clinical development of sirukumab, a protein therapeutic that we believe may represent an important treatment option for immunological diseases in the future."

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