New Psoriasis Biologics Achieve Promising Phase II Results

Although the phase II data are certainly encouraging, it is far too early to speculate as to the future of the two new anti-IL-17 biologics. That must await the outcome of the far larger and longer-term phase III studies, Dr. Kristian Reich said in an interview.

In particular, the issue of major adverse cardiovascular events is a potential concern with all agents that target IL-17, given the earlier experience with briakinumab. Development of the fully human monoclonal antibody that was directed against IL-12/23 was abandoned because of cardiovascular issues in the midst of phase III development, added Dr. Reich.

"Those of us who are developing new drugs for our armamentarium find we are in a perfect situation, with at least three interesting antibodies being developed: secukinumab, AMG 827, and the IL-23p19 antibody. Together, with ustekinumab, we now have a group of four antibodies, all of which influence the IL-23/Th17 pathway. It will be very interesting to see how good they are in taking care of psoriasis patients," he said.

Dr. Reich is the medical director of the Dermatologikum Hamburg. He has been involved in studies of all four agents and is on the advisory boards of numerous pharmaceutical companies with an interest in psoriasis therapies.