Pharma giant Pfizer Inc‘s (NYSE:PFE) treatment for oral psoriatic arthritis (PsA, Xeljanz, met its primary endpoint in its latest phase III trial.
Both the 5mg and 10mg doses saw significant improvement on average in 395 patients in the second phase III study.
“Tofacitinib [Xeljanz], if approved, may have potential to be an important treatment option to help address unmet needs for patients with PsA,” Michael Corbo from Pfizer said in a statement.
"There is a significant need for additional PsA treatment options as many people living with the condition do not respond well to available therapies."
The disease is normally associated with people suffering from psoriasis and manifests itself through inflammation, joint damage, swelling and tendonitis.
Some 3mln people in the US and Europe suffer from the disease.
The study is part of the OPAL global clinical development program, which includes two Phase 3 studies as well as a long-term extension trial.
The three studies are expected to form the potential submission package for possible future regulatory applications, Pfizer said.