Voclosporin
BRAND NAME: n/a
GENERIC NAME: voclosporin
EXPERIMENTAL/INTERNAL COMPANY NAME: ISA247 |
|
| DRUG USE (P OR PsA) | METHOD OF DELIVERY | DEVELOPING COMPANY/COMPANIES |
| Moderate to severe psoriasis | Pill | Isotechnika / Lux Biosciences |
Description and Comments
Voclosporin is a calcineurin inhibitor, like
cyclosporin, that is being designed with the hope of achieving comparable effectiveness to cyclosporin with fewer side effects. Kidney damage, for example, limits the use of cyclosporin to brief periods of time (typically one year).
Voclosporin has completed Canadian/European Phase Three study in moderate to severe psoriasis. While it appeared to have a better safety profile than cyclosporin (at least for the limited duration of the study), it improved psoriasis symptoms in significantly fewer patients.
Voclosporin (formerly called ISA247, and called Luveniq as a treatment for eye disease), is also being studied for the prevention of rejection following kidney transplant, and in uveitis, an eye disorder, among other possible uses.
Stock in Isotechnika dropped in August 2010 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked for an additional Phase Three trial in non-infectious uveitis.
Other News and Links
FDA wants additional trial of voclosporin for eye disease. August 2010
Voclosporin vs. cyclosporin head-to-head study results. May 2009
Voclosporin/ISA247 European/Canadian Phase Three study results. April 2008
