Looking ahead to rheumatoid arthritis

WASHINGTON - Last week's FDA advisory committee review of Centocor Inc.'s infliximab for Crohn's disease also framed some of the issues that will arise in future consideration of both infliximab and Immunex Corp.'s rival compound, Enbrel, for rheumatoid arthritis.

At its meeting last week, the Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval of infliximab for Crohn's (see BioCentury Extra, May 29). However, both companies and the crowd of analysts at the meeting almost certainly were looking for clues about the RA indication. IMNX submitted its BLA for treatment of RA with Enbrel on May 7, and CNTO plans to file for use of infliximab in RA late this year or early next year...