Filgotinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) 1 selective inhibitor used to treat cases of rheumatoid arthritis that are unresponsive to conventional treatments. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, systemic, and inflammatory disease that causes synovial joint symptoms and can limit range of motion in severe cases.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 8 references
There are four Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes including JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and tyrosine kinase 2. JAK1 mediates inflammatory cytokine signaling, while JAK2 and JAK3 are important components of hematologic and immune functions. Filgotinib selectively inhibits JAK1 and is for example nearly 30-fold more selective for JAK1 compared to JAK2.
The Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is implicated in several inflammatory pathologies and has been found to be continuously active in patients who have RA. Sustained activation of this pathway contributes to aberrant processes which lead to disease progression including elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and reduced cell apoptosis in RA affected synovial tissues. Filgotinib acts on the JAK-STAT pathway by selectively inhibiting JAK1 phosphorylation and preventing STAT activation, which ultimately results in reduced proinflammatory cytokine signaling.
- Primary indication
- Filgotinib is indicated for the treatment of active moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis alone or in combination with methotrexate.Curator reviewed · 3 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C21H23N5O3S · 425.51 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- European Union, 2020
- Brand names
Resolves to
RIJLVEAXPNLDTC-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESO=C(NC1=NN2C(C=CC=C2C2=CC=C(CN3CCS(=O)(=O)CC3)C=C2)=N1)C1CC1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Filgotinib, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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