Centocor, a Johnson & Johnson company, announced promising Phase III results for ustekinumab (CNTO 1275), a treatment for psoriasis [1]. The data showed that more than two-thirds of patients who received two doses of ustekinumab achieved at least a 75 percent reduction in psoriasis at week 12, which was the primary endpoint of the study. Ustekinumab is a fully-human monoclonal antibody that targets the cytokines interleukin-12 and interleukin-23.
"We are encouraged by the results from the Phase 3 program and look forward to collaborating with regulatory authorities around the world in an effort to bring ustekinumab to physicians and patients in need of new therapeutic options," stated Jerome Boscia, MD, Centocor's senior vice president of Clinical R&D. The findings were presented at the World Congress of Dermatology in Argentina.
- see the release [2] for more
Related Articles:
Insurers shun new biologics for psoriasis. Report [3]
Biotech drugs offer first real help for severe psoriasis. Report [1]
Celgene accelerates program on positive psoriasis data. Report [4]
Schering-Plough to develop Centocor arthritis treatment. Report [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/biotech-drugs-offer-first-real-help-for-severe-psoriasis/2005-12-20
[2] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/press-release-phase-3-results-show-novel-biologic-therapy-ustekinumab-cnto-1275-signi
[3] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/insurers-shun-new-biologics-for-psoriasis/2007-01-24?utm_source=related&utm_medium=internal
[4] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/celgene-accelerates-research-program-on-positive-psoriasis-data/2007-05-22
[5] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/schering-plough-to-develop-centocor-arthritis-treatment/2005-08-16?utm_source=related&utm_medium=internal