The FDA has approved a new drug called Tyenne (tocilizumab-aazg) for treating several inflammatory conditions. Tyenne is a biosimilar, which means it is highly similar to an already approved biologic drug (tocilizumab) and works the same way. It blocks a protein called interleukin-6 that causes inflammation in the body.
Tyenne is approved for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded well to other treatments. It is also approved for giant cell arteritis, a type of blood vessel inflammation. For children ages 2 and older, it can treat active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Additionally, Tyenne is approved for severe cytokine release syndrome caused by CAR T cell therapy and for hospitalized adults with COVID-19 who need extra oxygen or a ventilator.
The drug can be given as an intravenous infusion or as an injection under the skin, depending on the condition being treated. This approval provides another option for patients with these serious conditions. However, like all medicines, Tyenne has potential side effects and may not be suitable for everyone.
If you or a loved one has one of these conditions, talk to your doctor about whether Tyenne might be a good choice for you. Your doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks based on your personal health situation.