A large stage three trial of an experimental rheumatoid arthritis medication, tasocitinib, has met two important goals – the drug provided an improvement in signs and symptoms of the disease in study participants, and it improved their ability to function physically. The study also made some progress towards a third goal – disease remission. "When it works, it really works," enthused primary investigator Dr. Roy Fleischmann of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, "This is the first oral medication for rheumatoid arthritis that has had a successful phase three study this century."
