Discussing Rigel Pharmaceutical’s (NASDAQ:RIGL) immunomodulatory Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) treatment, CEO Jim Gower says it has the potential to replace TNF inhibitors as the standard-of-care, with earlier results, broader efficacy, and dramatic improvement in bone destruction – a hallmark of the disease.“The Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) drug [tofacitinib] and our drug, Fostamatinib, both work in the same week of therapy, they have differentiated mechanisms, they’re both oral, so they make a lot more sense in terms of where you turn in the early [RA] treatment. Of the TNF inhibitors, which are in the fourth, and beginning to be fifth generation, it’s hard to find any that have been introduced early that haven’t been at least a billion dollar product.”
In an exclusive interview with PropThink.com, Gower discusses the future of Fostamatinib – partnered with Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN) – and promising pipeline asthma treatment R343, as well as Rigel’s financial situation and catalysts for the company in the next year.
