6 September 2016 - Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today announced that the European Commission has approved Orencia (abatacept) intravenous infusion and subcutaneous injection, in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of highly active and progressive disease in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with methotrexate.

With this approval, Orencia is the first biologic therapy with an indication in the European Union specifically applicable to the treatment of MTX-naive RA patients with highly active and progressive disease. Studies of Orencia involving adult patients with high disease activity (mean DAS28-CRP of 5.4) accompanied by poor prognostic factors for rapidly progressive disease (positive for anti-CCP antibodies (also known as ACPA), and/or RF+, presence of baseline joint erosions) provided the clinical trial evidence supporting the recommendation.

This approval allows for the expanded marketing of Orencia in all 28 Member States of the EU.

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