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news.AstraZeneca has enrolled first patient in the phase III clinical development programme OSKIRA (Oral Syk Inhibition in Rheumatoid Arthritis), designed to investigate an oral syk inhibitor fostamatinib as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with an inadequate response to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including methotrexate (MTX).
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Fostamatinib (previously referred to as R788), is thought to reversibly block signalling in multiple cell types involved in inflammation and tissue degradation in RA.
The first anticipated regulatory filings based on the OSKIRA programme are planned for 2013.
Fostamatinib was in-licensed by AstraZeneca from Rigel Pharmaceuticals, in February 2010.
AstraZeneca Global Medicines Development EVP Anders Ekblom said that patients with rheumatoid arthritis currently have limited treatment options after they stop responding adequately to DMARDs or anti-TNF therapy, and fostamatinib may represent a novel alternative for patients to help manage their condition beyond this stage.