Press release: FDA Approves Drug for Treatment of Rare Inflammatory Syndromes

FDA Approves New Orphan Drug for Treatment of Rare Inflammatory Syndromes

Arcalyst is first treatment for extremely rare condition called Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome or CAPS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a drug to help ease the suffering faced by those with certain chronic inflammatory diseases. Arcalyst (rilonacept, an Interleukin-1 blocker) is now approved for the long term treatment of two Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) disorders: Familial Cold Auto-Inflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS).

Symptoms of both of these disorders include inflammation such as joint pain, rash or skin lesions, fever and chills, eye redness or pain, and fatigue in both children and adults; however MWS is associated with more severe inflammation and may include hearing loss or deafness. In addition, some MWS patients may also be affected by the buildup of a protein substance that damages organs and tissue. The FCAS and MWS disorders affect about 300 people in the United States. CAPS disorders are inherited. Fifty percent of CAPS cases are associated with a gene mutation.

Click here to read the entire press release. 

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