The Basel-based pharmaceutical giant Novartis has suffered a potential billion-dollar setback. An advisory board to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said yesterday it would not approve its drug Ilaris, for the treatment of gout. The board said that while the drug was effective it also carried the risk of serious side effects, including severe infections. Novartis predicted the drug could bring in massive sales if it was cleared as a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis treatment. It’s still up to U.S. authorities whether they follow the expert recommendation not to approve the drug. A final decision is expected by the end of the year.

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