WASHINGTON—Regulators on Wednesday approved a new drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to treat two rare inflammatory disorders.
The Food and Drug Administration cleared Arcalyst for use in patients with diseases known as cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes that affect 300 people in the U.S. The inherited disorders can cause joint pain, rashes, fever and pain. One of the ailments can also lead to hearing loss and deafness.
Arcalyst works by blocking a protein that can trigger inflammation.
FDA approved the Arcalyst under its orphan-drug program, which awards companies seven years of market exclusivity for developing treatments for rare illnesses.
The most common side effects seen with the injectable drug were respiratory infections and rashes at the injection site.
Shares of Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. rose 60 cents, or 3.2 percent, Wednesday to $19.50 in after-hours trading. Shares rose 24 cents to close at $18.90 in regular trading.
