Pfizer's Xeljanz Set To Lag Lilly's Olumiant In Europe Following Past Rebuffs

Pfizer's Xeljanz (tofacitinib) has finally won a green light from the European Medicines Agency's CHMP for treating rheumatoid arthritis, but its two previous rejections by the panel on safety grounds might curb sales.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Pfizer Inc.'s Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is set to become the second JAK inhibitor to reach the EU rheumatoid arthritis market after Eli Lilly & Co.Olumiant (baricitinib) - but the Pfizer pill's failure twice to win EMA backing in 2013, because of safety concerns, could dog its take-up in the region.

Pricing will also play a key role in the uptake of JAK inhibitors, especially because of the entry of anti-TNF...

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