First IL-23 targeting biologic to rival psoriasis big-sellers in EU

Janssen-Cilag International, part of the US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), has announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Tremfya (guselkumab) to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy.

Tremfya is the first biologic that selectively blocks interleukin (IL)-23, a key driver of the immune inflammatory response in psoriasis, an indication where many of pharma’s biggest players have treatments including Novartis’ (NOVN: VX) Cosentyx (secukinumab) and Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) Taltz (ixekizumab).

Janssen has also presented Phase III data showing superiority in skin clearance and severity reduction compared to AbbVie’s (NYSE: ABBV) Humira (adalimumab), the world’s best-selling drug.