The drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, produced in the capital, has gained international recognition

The original drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, developed by the R‑Pharm group of companies, has been included in the updated recommendations of the Asian‑Pacific League of Associations of Rheumatologists (APLAR) — one of the key professional organizations in the region in this field. The medicine is produced at the Sputnik Technopolis plant, which is a resident of the Technopolis Moscow special economic zone. This was announced by Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.

“On the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, the city is paying special attention to supporting the pharmaceutical industry.” Thanks to this, the capital’s industrial sites produce advanced products that gain wide recognition in the professional community. Thus, the first Russian medication to be included in international guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis was a biological drug produced by a resident of the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”. The clinical research program, which assessed its efficacy and safety, included more than 2,400 patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 19 countries,” said Maxim Liksutov.

Olokizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks one of the key inflammatory mediators in rheumatoid arthritis. The drug is available in every city in the country. In addition to Russia, it is also registered in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Vietnam.

“The inclusion of olokizumab in the APLAR recommendations is a professional signal to the international rheumatology community, confirming the innovation and effectiveness of the drug.” “Behind this result lies a large research program, international clinical data, and experience in using the drug in real‑world practice, including in the Southeast Asian region,” noted Mikhail Samsonov, the company’s medical director.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the joints, reduces the quality of life, and, in the absence of timely treatment, can lead to loss of working capacity. Modern therapy is aimed at controlling inflammation, reducing disease activity, and preserving joint function.

According to Moscow’s industrial development strategy until 2030, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the key areas that the city actively supports. This work contributes to the development of the national projects “Long and Active Life” and “Health Technologies”. You can learn more about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution on a special page.

Moscow is Russia’s largest industrial and scientific‑engineering centre. Every year, about 150 technology‑based enterprises are launched in the city. Today, manufacturers have access to more than 20 effective support measures, including an interest compensation program for investment loans, tax incentives, and other tools.