Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a R&D-oriented pharmaceutical company specialized in creating innovative medicines in specific areas, and Bristol-Myers K.K. have announced the launch of  rheumatoid arthritis drug Orencia subcutaneous injection 125mg syringe 1mL (abatacept (genetic recombination), Orencia SC).

Orencia SC suppresses the release of cytokines by inhibiting the signals t hat activate T-cells, resulting in the suppression of joint inflammation. As of August 2013, the product has been approved in a total of over 40 countries, including the Unit ed States and the countries of the European Union. In Japan, the product was approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to be manufactured and marketed with an indication for t he treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (only for patients with an inadequate response to prior conventional therapy) on June 28, 2013.

The new product uses a prefilled syringe with an attached needle cover, which can be expected to reduce the risk of infections from needle use and improve safety for both healthcare professionals and rheumatoid arthritis patients. Where physicians deem it appropriate, the product can be used by patients for self-injection. Along with the preparation for intravenous infusion which is already on the market, the addition of a new formulation for subcutaneous injection allows patients to receive treatment that matches their own lifestyle, making an even greater contribution to the treatment of patients worried by rheumatoid arthritis.

Ono and BMKK concluded an agreement to jointly promote Orencia in September 21, 2011, and, commenced co-promotion of Orencia IV on June 4, 2013. The two companies have also been co-developing Orencia.

Bristol-Myers K.K. is the Japanese subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.