Lilly says arthritis pill effective in mid-stage study

(Reuters) – Eli Lilly and Co and Incyte Corp said their experimental drug was effective in reducing painful symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis after 52 weeks of treatment. The drug, baricitinib, is part of a new family of medicines called JAK inhibitors that block enzymes believed to be involved in the inflammatory process. If approved, the pill will compete against injected rheumatoid arthritis drugs that currently dominate the market. Pfizer Inc’s Xeljanz was the first such pill to hit the shelves last year. …