Arcalyst Treats Rare Inflammatory Disorders

FRIDAY, Feb. 29 (HealthDay News)—The injected drug Arcalyst has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat two rare cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, the Associated Press reported.

The inherited disorders, which affect about 300 people in the United States, can cause symptoms including joint pain, rashes and fever. One of them can also cause hearing loss and deafness.

Arcalyst, made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Tarrytown, N.Y., works by blocking a protein that can trigger inflammation. Respiratory infections and rashes at the injection site are the most common side effects associated with the drug.

The drug's approval came under the FDA's orphan-drug program, which gives companies seven years of exclusive marketing rights in return for developing treatments for rare diseases, the AP reported.

Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.