Arthritis Advisory Committee

Arthritis Advisory Committee
Meeting on March 12, 2012, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Agenda: The committee will discuss the anti-nerve growth factor (Anti-NGF) drug class that is currently under development and the safety issues possibly related to these drugs. These drugs are being developed for the treatment of a variety of chronic painful conditions including osteoarthritis, chronic lower back pain, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, chronic pancreatitis, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, vertebral fracture, thermal injury, and cancer pain. The committee will be asked to determine whether reports of joint destruction represent a safety signal related to the Anti-NGF class of drugs, and whether the risk benefit balance for these drugs favors continued development of the drugs as analgesics.