• Each patient must meet all the following criteria in order to be enrolled in the trial:

• I. Newly-diagnosed and synthetic or biologic DMARD-naïve children (only treatment with 1 NSAID is allowed and no corticosteroid joint injections prior to randomization ) with a JIA classified according to the following ILAR categories:

• i. Oligoarthritis ii. Rheumatoid factor negative polyarthritis

• II. Active arthritis

• III. Onset of JIA symptoms no more than 6 months before randomization

• IV. Age 2 to 17 years at enrolment.

• V. Female of child-bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at the beginning of the trial. If sexually active, they must agree to use highly effective contraceptive measures, throughout study participation, and must have no intention of conceiving during the course of the study. Post-pubertal males must have no plans to father a child during the study and agree to use highly effective contraceptive measures if sexually active.

• VI. Ability to comply with the entire study procedures, ability to communicate meaningfully with the investigational staff, competence to give written informed consent; to be applied to the parents and/or patients, as appropriate

• VII. Duly executed, written, informed consent/assent obtained from the parents/patient.