EU panel backs Bristol-Myers arthritis drug

LONDON, March 23 (Reuters) - A panel of European experts said on Friday it backed the approval of Bristol-Myers Squibb's (BMY.N) Orencia as a treatment for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Recommendations for marketing approval from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use are normally endorsed by the European Commission within 90 days.