ACZ 885 (Novartis) success in Phase II study for Familial Mediterranean Fever

In the Phase II Familial Mediterranean Fever study, 100% of patients (nine out of nine) achieved at least a 50% reduction in the frequency of disease attacks during three months of ACZ 885 treatment from Novartis. All nine patients in the trial had previously experienced at least one attack per month over three months before receiving ACZ 885, while using standard-of-care medication. During the three-month ACZ 885 treatment period, eight of the nine patients were attack-free, while blood markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP, and serum amyloid A, SAA) normalized by Day 8 after ACZ 885 dosing and remained low throughout the study. The overall response to treatment was reported to be 'very good' by physicians in all cases, and by the patients in seven cases.