Incyte's arthritis drug shows promise in Phase II trial

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Incyte's arthritis drug shows promise in Phase II trial

http://blogs.delawareonline.com/delawareinc/2010/11/11/incytes-arthritis-drug-sh\

ows-promise-in-phase-ii-trial/

NOVEMBER 11TH, 2010

Delaware-based Incyte Corp.'s experimental rheumatoid arthritis drug eased

symptoms in patients who participated in a 24-week clinical trial, the

company has said. Incyte presented results of the Phase II, 125-patient

study at the American College of Rheumatology's annual scientific meeting

that's being held in Atlanta.

More than 70 percent of patients who participated in the trial achieved

ACR20, a set of criteria developed by the American College of Rheumatology

that measures a level of patients' improvement by assessing symptoms like

tender and swollen joints, as well as pain. To meet ACR20, patients must

demonstrate 20 percent improvement.

In a research note published late last night, Leerink Swann analyst

Schimmer estimated that INCB28050 would generate $450 million in annual U.S.

sales by 2017, and another $350 million outside of the U.S. Incyte is

developing the drug with Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly & Co.

Incyte has yet to market its first drug, but appears to be getting close on

a treatment called INCB18424 for myelofibrosis, a deadly bone marrow

disorder. Data from the final phase of clinical trials are expected in late

December, the company said while reporting its third-quarter results this

week. Incyte expects to file for approval with the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration in the first half of next year.