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Amgen arthritis drug OK'd
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November 14, 2001: 2:11 p.m. ET
FDA approves Kineret, Amgen's new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as expected, has approved Amgen Inc.'s new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, which could help up to 300,000 patients.
Amgen said Wednesday the FDA approved Kineret "for the reduction in signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have failed one or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs."
Kineret has a novel mechanism that selectively and directly blocks a certain protein associated with inflammation and arthritis.
An FDA advisory panel voted in favor of approval in August, and the FDA usually follows the advice of the pane.
"Kineret worked for many of my patients," said Dr. Stanley Cohen, a clinical investigator for the drug's trails, in an Amgen statement. "I am impressed with the improvements in my patients' painful and swollen joints." 
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