Olokizumab – any new developments?

I’m a bit surprised that lots of people look at my article on olokizumab today (30.09.2013).  Link: http://rheumatologe.blogspot.de/2012/12/olokizumab-at-acr-2012-in-washington.html. The results presented at the ACR 2012 in Washington were in line with UCB’s announcement on Sept. 26th, 2012. Link: http://www.ucb.presscentre.com/News/UCB-announces-top-line-phase-2-results-for-olokizumab-in-rheumatoid-arthritis-31e.aspx.

As nothing on olokizumab appeared at the EULAR meeting in Madrid in June 2013, I wondered: “Nothing! / Very strange as olokizumab targets interleukin-6 (IL-6). … Postponed or abandoned?” Link: http://rheumatologe.blogspot.de/2013/06/drugs-that-didnt-show-up-at-eular-2013.html

In July 2013 there had been another announcement by UCB: “UCB out-licenses RA drug olokizumab to Russia's R-Pharm”. Link: http://www.pharmatimes.com/article/13-07-08/UCB_out-licenses_RA_drug_olokizumab_to_Russia_s_R-Pharm.aspx.

I’m a bit surprised. Does this sudden interest in my article suggest that olokizumab is going to be tested further and eventually we’ll have another drug addressing IL-6? I’ve put olokizumab on my agenda for San Diego (ACR 2013).