Many European dermatologists want more post-marketing data before Rxing Pfizer's Janus

At least half of surveyed dermatologists across the EU5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) will likely wait until Pfizer’s Janus (tofacitinib) kinase (JAK) inhibitor has accumulated favorable post-marketing safety data before they will prescribe it, according to a new study from advisory firm Decision Resources.

However, if tofacitinib’s long-term safety record is favorable, with efficacy that is at least comparable to Pfizer’s Enbrel etanercept, this agent has the potential to compete directly with the leading biologic agents that are currently approved in Europe for psoriasis: Enbrel, Merck’s Remicade (infliximab), Abbott’s Humira (adalimumab) and Janssen/Cilag’s Stelara (ustekinumab).

The new European Physician & Payer Forum report entitled European Physician and Payer Perspectives on Emerging Immunomodulators in Psoriasis also finds that the majority of surveyed dermatologists in the EU5 indicate that they will prescribe Isotechnika’s emerging calcinuerin inhibitor voclosporin, following its launch for psoriasis. Voclosporin is likely to be used early in the treatment algorithm for psoriasis, either as a first-line systemic treatment option or in patients who have failed one or more oral therapy. By the end of 2014, Decision Resources expects three novel oral systemic agents - voclosporin, tofacitinib and Celgene’s phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor apremilast - to launch in Europe for the treatment of psoriasis.