Eli Lilly and Company LLY announced encouraging results from two phase III studies, UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3, on ixekizumab for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
This double-blind, multicenter, phase III studies evaluated ixekizumab, in comparison to Amgen Inc.’s AMGN Enbrel (etanercept) or placebo, in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. In both the studies, patients were assigned to receive either placebo, Enbrel (50 mg twice a week) or ixekizumab (80 mg every two or four weeks) for 12 weeks, following a 160-mg starting dose.
Data from the combined studies demonstrated that ixekizumab led to clinically meaningful improvements by as early as one week, compared to patients treated with Enbrel or placebo. In addition, there were significant differences in the mean percentage improvement of psoriasis plaques in patients treated with ixekizumab, as against patients on the Enbrel or placebo arm. Results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
We remind investors that in Feb 2016, the company announced that ixekizumab has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy. Ixekizumab is also under review in the U.S. for the same indication.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation and ADD, approximately 7.5 million and 125 million individuals are affected by psoriasis in the U.S. and the world, respectively. Out of this, 20% suffer from moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Drugs currently approved to treat psoriasis include Cosentyx, Otezla and Stelara among others.
Eli Lilly currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A couple of better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AMAG and Celgene Corporation CELG, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
by Zach’s Equity Research
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