Developing a New Generation of TNFα Antagonists for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Schematic drawings of the four TNFα antagonist biologics now available or in clinical development. Structurally, infliximab and adalimumab are similar to normal human immunoglobulins. Etanercept contains the TNF receptor extracellular domain fused to the heavy chain CH2 and CH3 constant domains of human immunoglobulin. CDP-870 includes only the Fab component of a human antibody that is further modified by the attachment of a polyethylene glycol moiety.