Wyeth To Announce Promising New Data For Enbrel(R) In Rheumatology

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals revealed highlights from data to be presented on its biologic therapy Enbrel® (etanercept), at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Meeting in Paris, 11-14 June 2008.


Highlights of the data to be presented include:


- New 1-year radiographic remission results from the COMET trial (COmbination of Methotrexate and ETanercept in early active rheumatoid arthritis), along with clinical and functional remission results. COMET marks the first trial with Enbrel to use remission as a primary endpoint.
(Abstract #OP-0008 - Thursday 12 June 2008: 10.15-11.45).


- Work productivity results from the COMET trial, examining the association between early treatment with Enbrel and methotrexate and the number of work days lost by patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis.
(Abstract #OP-0096 - Thursday 12 June 2008: 10.15-11.45).


- Results from the DART trial (Anti-TNF Drug utilization and dosing patterns Assessment: a Retrospective observational study of subjects Treated for rheumatoid arthritis), investigating the difference in cost when dose escalation of soluble TNF receptor and monoclonal antibody TNF drugs occurs in routine clinical practice, demonstrating the predictability of dosing and cost with Enbrel, a fully human soluble TNF receptor.
(Abstract #FRI0139 - Friday 13 June 2008).


- In ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic, painful and degenerative inflammatory arthritis of the spine, data will be presented from a study on the long term (5-year) efficacy and safety of Enbrel
(Abstract #SAT0243 - Saturday 14 June 2008).


About Enbrel


ENBREL is a fully human soluble tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor antagonist. ENBREL was first approved in 1998 for moderate to rheumatoid arthritis and has since been used in nearly 500,000 patients worldwide across indications.


ENBREL in the EU is approved for the following indications (eMC last accessed 25/05/08):


Rheumatoid arthritis


Enbrel in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adults when the response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including methotrexate (unless contraindicated), has been inadequate. Enbrel can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate. Enbrel is also indicated in the treatment of severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis in adults not previously treated with methotrexate. Enbrel, alone or in combination with methotrexate, has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X-ray and to improve physical function.















Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis


Treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years who have had an inadequate response to, or who have proved intolerant of, methotrexate. Enbrel has not been studied in children aged less than 4 years.


Psoriatic arthritis


Treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults when the response to previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy has been inadequate. Enbrel has been shown to improve physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis, and to reduce the rate of progression of peripheral joint damage as measured by X-ray in patients with polyarticular symmetrical subtypes of the disease.


Ankylosing spondylitis


Treatment of adults with severe active ankylosing spondylitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.


Plaque psoriasis


Treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who failed to respond to, or who have a contraindication to, or are intolerant to other systemic therapy including cyclosporine, methotrexate or PUVA


About Wyeth


Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, has leading products in the areas of women's health care, infectious disease, gastrointestinal health, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products.


Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products, nutritionals and non-prescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health.


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View drug information on Enbrel.