Psoriatic arthritis: Phil Mickelson among those with little-known disease
Psoriatic arthritis affects an estimated 600,000 Americans, including pro golfer Phil Mickelson – shown here hitting a tee shot at a tournament in Pacific Palisades, Calif. on February 17, 2011.
(Credit:
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
CBS) Pro golfer Phil Mickelson knows a thing or two about pain and stiffness – and not just because he spends so much time swinging a club.
Mickelson says he has psoriatic arthritis, a potentially disabling form of arthritis that affects about 600,000 Americans, according to statistics from the National Psoriasis Foundation and the Arthritis Foundation.
On a new website created to raise awareness of psoriatic arthritis, Mickelson says he was diagnosed with the condition a week after the 2010 U.S. Open. He says he had been experiencing severe pain near the ankle, as well as in the left index finger and right wrist.
“At first, I thought these aches could be caused by years of practicing and playing golf and that they would eventually pass,” he says on the site. “Then, after two days of preparing for the U.S. Open, I awoke and the pain in my joints was so intense I could hardly get out of bed.”
Severe pain is one symptom of psoriatric arthritis, along with stiffness and swelling in the joints. In addition, many people with the condition experience skin lesions similar to those seen in patients with psoriasis.
The condition – believed to be caused by an overactive immune system – usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50 but can develop at any age, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. It’s commonly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin, as well as with more powerful prescription drugs known as disease-modifying anthrheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and newer drugs like Enbrel and Remicade.
As for Mickelson, psoriatic arthritis hasn’t put him off his game. With treatment, he says, “I’ve continued to play golf and have been able to keep doing fun things with my family, like playing catch or going for a swim or a hike. I feel good again!”
Michelson’s website is sponsored by the National Arthritis Foundation and the Arthritis Foundation, along with drug makers Amgen and Pfizer.
Article source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20038307-10391704.html
New Co-Promotion Agreements For Rheumatoid Arthritis Products In Japan
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pfizer Japan Inc. (“Pfizer,” headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) and Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda,” headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
announced today an agreement to extend the period for co-promotion in
Japan for the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug Enbrel® (generic name:
etanercept). The companies also signed a new co-promotion agreement in
Japan for the investigational drug tofacitinib (development code:
CP-690,550), formerly known as tasocitinib, which is being studied for
multiple inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. The
co-promotion agreement between Takeda and Pfizer for Tofacitinib is for
RA and certain other potential indications in Japan. Pfizer will receive
a milestone payment from Takeda at the launch of Tofacitinib and Takeda
will receive a percentage of sales (based on certain conditions
specified in the contract) as a co-promotion fee from Pfizer.
Contractual details are not disclosed.
“Takeda and Pfizer together provide Enbrel to
patients suffering from RA, and if the development program is
successful, we look forward to offering a new treatment option. We are
committed to further contribution to treatments for RA therapy.”
“We are looking forward to the next phase of our successful partnership
with Takeda,” said Michael Goettler, regional president of Asia-Pacific
and Japan Head, Specialty Care Business Unit, Pfizer. “We are proud of
our current inflammation product portfolio, and excited about the
prospect of bringing new innovative treatments to our patients.”
Enbrel® binds with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha – a
cytokine*), inhibiting its activity, and with lymphotoxin alpha (another
cytokine), and reduces RA inflammation. The drug is currently approved
in over 80 countries worldwide and is used by over 600,000 patients,
including patients using the drug for indications other than RA.
Tofacitinib is a novel, oral Janus kinase (JAK)** inhibitor that is
being investigated as a targeted immunomodulator in RA, psoriasis and
other indications. Unlike current therapies for RA, tofacitinib takes a
novel approach, targeting the intracellular signaling pathways that
operate as hubs in the inflammatory cytokine network. Currently, in
Japan, Pfizer is carrying out Phase 3 clinical trials of the
investigational drug for RA and, in other countries, the company is also
studying tofacitinib in psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative
colitis.
“With these new contracts, we will be able to further strengthen our
initiatives in the rheumatoid arthritis field,” said Yasuhiko Yamanaka,
a member of the board, senior vice president, Pharmaceutical Marketing
Division of Takeda. “Takeda and Pfizer together provide Enbrel to
patients suffering from RA, and if the development program is
successful, we look forward to offering a new treatment option. We are
committed to further contribution to treatments for RA therapy.”
* A generic name for proteins which are released from cells and mediate
cell-cell interactions. They play a key role in immunity, inflammation
and biological defense.
** Tyrosine kinase is related to autoimmune diseases, such as RA, and
plays a key role in signaling related to cell growth and differentiation
(tyrosine kinase: an enzyme which adds phosphoric acid to tyrosine, one
of amino acids that make up proteins)
About Pfizer Japan
Pfizer Japan Inc. has been working for a healthier world by providing
pharmaceutical and animal health products since our establishment in
1953. We provide drugs that cover a wide range of disease categories,
including cardiovascular, inflammation, central nervous system,
infectious disease, urology, ophthalmology, oncology, endocrinology and
vaccine etc. For further information, please visit us at www.pfizer.co.jp.
About Takeda
Located in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is a research-based global company with
its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company
in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is
committed to strive towards better health for patients worldwide through
leading innovation in medicine. Additional information about Takeda is
available through its corporate website, www.takeda.com.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world™
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health
and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for
quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and
manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified
global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and
small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products
and many of the world’s best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer
colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance
wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most
feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the
world’s leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with
health care providers, governments and local communities to support and
expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For
more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who
rely on us. To learn more about our commitments, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.
PFIZER DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this
release is as of February 3, 2011. Pfizer assumes no obligation
to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the
result of new information or future events or developments.
This release contains forward-looking information about new
co-promotion agreements and a product in development, tofacitinib,
including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and
uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things,
the uncertainties inherent in research and development; decisions by
regulatory authorities regarding whether and when to approve any drug
applications that may be filed for tofacitinib as well as their
decisions regarding labeling and other matters that could affect its
availability or commercial potential; and competitive developments.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in
Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2009 and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
Article source: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110203007106/en/Co-Promotion-Agreements-Rheumatoid-Arthritis-Products-Japan
My story-JRA-juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
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Lose Weight, Cure Arthritis, the McDougall Diet
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Cure Rheumatoid Arthritis, the McDougall Diet
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