Results from a third phase study have demonstrated that Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY)’s treatment for psoriasis, Taltz, was more effective than Stelara from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). The study ran for 52 weeks and was conducted in patients suffering from plaque psoriasis who were showing moderate symptoms to severe ones.
In the trial, participants received random doses of either Taltz or Stelara for the indicated period. The administration of Taltz was through an injection containing 160 milligrams of the drug into the subcutaneous skin layer and then followed by a similar injection but this time containing 80 milligrams once a fortnight for a period of 12 weeks. This was then followed by another injection containing 80 milligrams after every four weeks. Stelara’s dosage was weight-based and was either 45 milligrams or 90 milligrams.
Primary endpoint
By the 24th week, the primary endpoint was completed and the results showed that around 83% of the participants who had been receiving Taltz attained a PSAI scale level of 90%. PSAI is an acronym for Psoriasis Area Severity Index and is a metric that is employed in the assessment of the severity and the extent of a skin disease. The participants who had been receiving Stelara, however, only attained a level of 59% thereby demonstrating the superiority of Taltz as a treatment for psoriasis.
Additionally, the 49% of the participants who had been receiving Taltz reached a PSAI scale level of 100% while only 23.5% of those who had been receiving Stelara attained that level further demonstrating Taltz’s efficacy.
“The data of the IXORA-S study is significant, as it demonstrates both high levels of skin improvement for patients treated with Taltz, consistent with pivotal Phase 3 trials, as well as higher response rates over Stelara,” said the lead author of the study, Kristian Reich.
Blockbuster sales
With the results of the study now out, chances are high that Taltz could be on its way to achieving blockbuster status. A GlobalData report last week projected that Taltz could reach revenues of more than $1 billion in Europe and the U.S. in five years.
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On Wednesday shares of Eli Lilly and Co rose by 0.81% to close the day at $83.41.
