What type of drug is Olumiant?

Olumiant (baricitinib), from Eli Lilly, is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. JAK inhibitors are intracellular enzymes that work by interfering with cytokine signaling to influence cell processes of immune cell function and inflammation. Olumiant is used alone or in combination with methotrexate or other non-biologic DMARDs for the treatment of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with an inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.

In clinical trials, Olumiant had a significant response rate in RA compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment (49% versus 27% response rate, respectively). According to Eli Lilly, the price of Olumiant will be 60% less than the leading tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor.