Dermatology

Rituximab Granted FDA Approval to Treat Pemphigus Vulgaris

June 8th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

The FDA has approved Genentech’s innovator rituximab (Rituxan) for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris (PV). This expanded indication makes the drug the first biologic approved for the treatment of PV, a rare autoimmune disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes with progressive blistering.

Study: Switching to Biosimilar Infliximab Does Not Affect Phosphorylation Levels

January 3rd 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

A new study used flow cytometry to compare phosphorylation levels of intracellular epitopes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with psoriasis in clinical remission who were treated with reference infliximab versus healthy controls, and further evaluated whether a switch from reference infliximab to biosimilar CT-P13 affected intracellular phosphorylation patterns.

Infographic: 5 Biologic Treatments for Psoriasis

December 31st 2017

By Samantha DiGrande

Article

There are a variety of biologics available for the treatment of psoriasis; our latest infographic provides examples of each type.

Fresenius Kabi Submits Adalimumab Biosimilar Marketing Application to EMA

December 19th 2017

By Samantha DiGrande

Article

Fresenius Kabi, a subsidiary of the German-based Fresenius SE and Co. KFaA, announced yesterday that its Marketing Authorization Application for MSB11022, an adalimumab (Humira) biosimilar candidate, was submitted and accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Humira Competitor Tremfya Gains European Approval for Psoriasis Treatment

November 28th 2017

By Jackie Syrop

Article

Janssen-Cilag International’s biologic drug guselkumab (Tremfya) has received approval from the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy.

Review of Systemic Treatment of Psoriasis Recommends Biologics

November 25th 2017

By Jackie Syrop

Article

A new review discusses the systemic treatment of psoriasis and recommends biologics and biosimilars for long-term treatment of psoriasis because of their better tolerability and safety compared with other systemic treatments, which are limited largely by poor tolerability and cumulative toxicity.

NHS: Biologics Benefit Children With Plaque Psoriasis, But Cost-Effectiveness Uncertain

November 20th 2017

By Jackie Syrop

Article

A recent Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report by the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) concludes that adalimumab, etanercept, and ustekinumab improve the symptoms of psoriasis in children and young people in the short term, but the cost-effectiveness of these medications requires further study.

UK Health Professionals Are Well Informed About Biosimilars

July 6th 2017

By Jackie Syrop

Article

A survey and drug utilization analysis conducted among UK healthcare professionals found that 75% of respondents were aware that biosimilars were available on their local formularies, and 77% considered biosimilars to be either extremely or very important to save costs for the National Health Service.