RoACTEMRA(Tocilizumab) use in early Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) approved by EU

RoACTEMRA(Tocilizumab) use in patients with early Rheumatoid Arthritis has been approved by European Commission .This drug is an anti-interlukin6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist monoclonal antibody. Roche and Chugai Pharmaceuticals co developed the RoACTERMA(Tocilizumab).
           European Commission approved Tocilizumab based on data from the phase 3 function studies which evaluated  safety ,efficacy and prevention of joint damage in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.
            After 24 weeks of treatment as a monotherapy or in combination with Methotrexate(Popular anti cancer drug ) ,this drug(RoACTEMRA) met its primary end point where there is more significant improvement in RA  patients as compared to Methotrexate alone.

Chemical formula of Tocilizumab:   C6428H9976N1726O2018S42

Mechanism of Action :                      Tocilizumab binds specifically to membrane bound and soluble Interlukin 6 receptors, mIL6 & sIL6 and inhibits IL-6 mediated signalling through receptors.

Adverse effects of Tocilizumab : Respiratory tract infections,hypertension, headache,and nasopharyngitis

Novo Nordisk discontinues R&D activities in inflammatory disorders

Research and Development (R&D) activities within inflammatory disorders have been discontinued by Novo Nordisk ,however increasing its efforts in diabetes prevention and treatment.
    Surprisingly this announcement follows company's decision to discontinue anti-IL-20 , which used in rheumatoid Arthritis which was company's most advanced  compound.
     As a result of this discontinuation company expects to incur a non recurring cost of around 700 million Danish Krona in 2014.Company Executive Vice President said that significant unmet opportunities remain within diabetes, including prevention ,obesity and diabetes complications , so in this area they want to further increase R&D efforts.