Pfizer's Arthritis Drug Wins European Approval In Pediatric & Adult Patients

The European Commission (EC) has approved Pfizer Inc's PFE Xeljanz (tofacitinib) for active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and juvenile psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
The approval covers two years of age and older patients who did not respond to previous therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Two formulations were approved, a tablet and a new oral solution (weight-based dosing).
XELJANZ is the first and only Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved in Europe to treat polyarticular JIA and juvenile PsA.
It has received regulatory approval in four indications in the European Union, the most of any JAK inhibitor.
In addition, the EC has approved Xeljanz prolonged-release 11 mg once-daily tablets for adult patients with active PsA.
The prolonged-release formulation is for patients who did not respond to methotrexate or other DMARDs.
Price Action: PFE shares are up 3.08% at $50.22 during the premarket session on the last check Monday