CenTNF hits end point

Centocor Inc. on Friday announced positive results of its Phase III study of its CenTNF anti-TNF monoclonal antibody in a subpopulation of patients with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

Based on the results, CNTO (Malvern, Penn.) said it anticipates filing an BLA by the end of the year for use of CenTNF in patients with severe to moderate Crohn's disease who experience fistulae, channels that result from penetration of the inflammatory process from the bowel into adjacent tissue, organs or skin. CNTO said the complication occurs in 15-30 percent of the Crohn's disease population; CenTNF has Orphan Drug designation...