FDA approves new psoriasis drug, but with suicidality warning

The US Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved Siliq (brodalumab) to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Siliq is marketed by Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (TSX: VRX), with the news sending the much battered company’s shares up 5.5% to $16.86 by close of trading.

Siliq is intended for patients who are candidates for systemic therapy (treatment using substances that travel through the bloodstream, after being taken by mouth or injected) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light treatment) and have failed to respond, or have stopped responding to other systemic therapies.