An experimental psoriasis treatment in late-stage trials showed strong results in clearing psoriasis and appeared safe for patients, according to study results reported at a world dermatology conference today. The biologic medicine, known as ustekinumab or CNTO 1275, was developed by Centocor, the company that currently markets Remicade for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The company says it intends to file a new drug application with the FDA by the end of 2007.
Ustekinumab is a “monoclonal antibody, which targets naturally occurring proteins or cytokines, IL-12 and IL-23, that are considered important in normalizing the immune system and believed to play a role in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.”
In this Phase Three study: “More than two-thirds of patients, after receiving two doses, achieved ‘at least a 75 percent reduction’ in psoriasis by week 12.”
Abbott, which markets Humira, which is FDA-approved for psoriatic arthritis (and soon, psoriasis), has its own IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor called ABT-874. Its Phase Two results were similarly impressive.
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