FDA Approves Genentech’s Actemra To Treat Rare Form of Juvenile Arthritis

The Food and Drug Administration April 15 approved Actemra (tocilizumab), given alone or in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in children ages two years and older.

SJIA, also called Still’s disease, is a rare, potentially life-threatening disorder in children that causes severe inflammation throughout the body, FDA said.

Actemra is an interleukin-6 receptor blocker, which has already been approved by FDA for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to other approved therapies (8 PLIR 73, 1/15/10). The drug is ...