The positive results come after Bristol reported the long term effectiveness of Orencia in adults with rheumatoid arthritis.
The study is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of Orencia in children and adolescents ages 6-17 years with idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
“In this trial of children with active JIA, approximately 53% of participants withdrawn from Orencia treatment and given placebo experienced disease flares compared to 20% of participants continuing to receive Orencia,” said Edward Giannini, professor of pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
No child receiving Orencia during the six-month double-blind phase had a serious adverse event or discontinued due to an adverse event.