Kineret has been approved for the treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA), which is a rare form of juvenile chronic arthritis that affects children up to 16 years of age.
Kineret is a recombinant protein drug that blocks the biological activity of IL-1a and IL -1b by binding to interleukin-1 type 1 receptor (IL-R 1), expressed in a variety of tissues and organs, and thereby blocking the interleukin-1 (IL-1) signalling.
IL-1 is a key mediator of inflammation and a significant contributor to autoinflammatory diseases.
Sobi business area Inflammation medical therapeutic area head Kristina Timdahl said: "We are pleased and encouraged by this approval which was achieved through a fruitful collaboration between physicians, regulators, and our development team including Menarini.
"We are looking forward to serving a wider group of patients in Australia going forward."
About 100 of 100,000 children are affected by child arthritis, and of these 10-20% have the sJIA form, which is classified as an autoinflammatory disease.