Celgene to seek expanded label for Otezla, to cover rare inflammatory disease

Celgene (Nasdaq: CELG) has announced positive Phase II data from its RELIEF trial of Otezla (apremilast) in patients with Behçet’s syndrome with oral ulcers.

Behçet’s is a rare disease that causes blood vessel inflammation throughout the body, leading to mouth sores, eye inflammation, skin rashes and lesions.

After 12 weeks, the results show statistically significant reductions in oral ulcers with Otezla, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), versus placebo.