October 2019
Tofacitinib for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Tofacitinib works by blocking the action of enzymes known as Janus kinases. These enzymes play an important role in the inflammatory process. By blocking the enzymes’ action, tofacitinib helps reduce the inflammation and other symptoms of these diseases. Tofacitinib is an oral alternative to the available biological medicines for children with JIA, most of which are administered by injection. If licensed, tofacitinib may offer an additional treatment option for polyarticular JIA with the potential advantage of improving the quality of life of children due to its oral formulation.
September 2019
NOVOCART 3D for articular cartilage defects of the knee
NOVOCART 3D Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation System is a biologic-device combination product composed of autologous (the patient’s own) chondrocytes (cartilage producing and maintaining cells) seeded on a bioresorbable three-dimensional collagen scaffold, which is secured directly into the defect. The use of NOVOCART 3D involves two separate surgeries. In the first surgery, a small amount of knee cartilage is removed from the patient’s affected knee and sent to the company to be processed for re-implantation. In a second surgery, the damaged area of the knee cartilage is cleaned and the sponge-like scaffold containing the autologous chondrocytes is implanted. If licensed, NOVOCART 3D will offer an additional treatment option for repair of articular cartilage defects of the knee.
August 2018
Ixekizumab for axial spondyloarthritis
Ixekizumab is an engineered antibody designed to bind and obstruct the pro-inflammatory interleukin-17A (IL-17A) signalling molecule. It has been suggested that IL-17 may be a crucial mediator of inflammation in the pathway that leads to the development and progression of axial spondyloarthritis. By blocking this pathway, ixekizumab may help prevent joint inflammation, bone erosion, and bone fusion in a patient population where few alternative therapies exist in instances of previous treatment failure.
June 2018
Tizanidine (Intranasal spray) for Acute Low Back Pain
Tizanidine as an intranasal spray is being developed as a new treatment option for patients with acute low back pain. It works by blocking pain sensations that are sent to the brain, temporarily relaxing muscle tone. Tizanidine is already available in the tablet form as a short-acting muscle relaxer used to relieve the stiffness and restriction of muscles due to injuries or diseases of the spinal cord. If licensed, tizanidine prepared for intranasal administration will offer an alternative to the oral administration for patients with acute low back pain when short term dosing and a fast effect is desired.
