European approval sought for golimumab (CNTO 148) for psoriatic arthritis

Centocor and Schering-Plough are seeking approval from European regulators "of golimumab (CNTO 148) as a monthly subcutaneous treatment for adults with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis."

Golimumab, an anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, demonstrated strong efficacy in Phase Three clinical trials, improving both joint and skin symptoms for significant proportions of patients. For example, at week 14, roughly forty percent of patients achieved a 20% improvement in arthritic symptoms. And at week 24, one-fifth of patients had achieved a 70% improvement. In addition, thirty percent of patients achieved a 90% improvement in skin symptoms. The treatment was similarly effective for nail psoriasis.

In the US, Centocor currently has ustekinumab (CNTO 1275) pending before the FDA for psoriasis.