FDA Approves Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) for Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

AbbVie today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa), an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor, for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.3 In clinical trials, Skyrizi produced high rates of durable skin clearance – most people (82 and 81 percent) treated with Skyrizi achieved 90 percent skin clearance (PASI 90) at one year, with the majority (56 and 60 percent) achieving complete skin clearance (PASI 100).1

"The complex nature of psoriasis and the variability or loss of treatment response over time can prevent some patients from achieving their treatment goals," said Kenneth B. Gordon, M.D., a principal investigator for the ultIMMa-1 pivotal trial and professor and chair of dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "In clinical trials, risankizumab demonstrated high levels of skin clearance that persisted through one year. I'm pleased the dermatology community now has a new option that can help patients achieve and maintain a high level of treatment response."

The recommended dose for Skyrizi is 150mg – administered by two subcutaneous injections every 12 weeks following two initiation doses at week 0 and 4. Skyrizi can be administered in-office or by self-injection after training.3

"The approval of Skyrizi is an important advance in the treatment of adults with plaque psoriasis who are seeking high levels of durable skin clearance that can be maintained over time," said Michael Severino, M.D., vice chairman and president, AbbVie. "Skyrizi builds on AbbVie's legacy in immunology, expanding our portfolio to help meet the evolving needs in psoriatic disease and reinforcing our continued pursuit of innovations that improve care for people living with immune-mediated conditions."

Affecting 7.5 million Americans, psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the U.S.4 It is characterized by over activation of the immune system and widespread inflammation that causes painful, itchy plaques anywhere on the skin.5 People with psoriasis also experience a significant emotional, psychological and social burden that can negatively impact their quality of life.4

"People living with plaque psoriasis can be profoundly impacted by their disease both physically and emotionally," said Stacie Bell, Ph.D., vice president of research and medical affairs, National Psoriasis Foundation. "The approval of a new therapy represents an important step forward in the treatment of psoriasis, offering dermatologists another option to help patients achieve their treatment goals."

The approval of Skyrizi is supported by results from AbbVie's global Phase 3 psoriasis program, which assessed the safety and efficacy of Skyrizi in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis across four randomized, placebo and/or active-controlled pivotal studies: ultIMMa-1, ultIMMa-2, IMMhance and IMMvent. The co-primary endpoints of these studies were Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90) and static Physician Global Assessment [sPGA] score of clear or almost clear [sPGA 0/1] at 16 weeks versus placebo.1-3,6

Highlights across the pivotal studies include:1,3

In ultIMMa-1 and ultIMMa-2 at 16 weeks, PASI 90 was achieved in 75 percent of people treated with Skyrizi, compared to 5 and 2 percent receiving placebo, respectively (p<0.001). PASI 100 was achieved in 36 and 51 percent of people treated with Skyrizi, compared to 0 and 2 percent receiving placebo, respectively (p<0.001).

In ultIMMa-1 and ultIMMa-2 at one year (52 weeks), 82 and 81 percent of people treated with Skyrizi achieved PASI 90, and 56 and 60 percent achieved PASI 100, respectively (p<0.001).

An integrated analysis of ultIMMa-1 and ultIMMa-2 showed most people treated with Skyrizi who achieved PASI 90 and PASI 100 at week 16 maintained this response at one year (88 and 80 percent, respectively).

The frequency of adverse events through one year was similar to events observed during the first 16 weeks. The most common adverse events associated with Skyrizi included upper respiratory infections (13 percent), headache (3.5 percent), fatigue (2.5 percent), injection site reactions (1.5 percent) and tinea infections (1.1 percent). Skyrizi requires an initial evaluation for tuberculosis (TB) prior to starting treatment, and patients are instructed to report signs and symptoms of infection.

Skyrizi is part of a collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and AbbVie, with AbbVie leading development and commercialization of Skyrizi globally.

AbbVie recently received approval of Skyrizi from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, generalized pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, as well as from Health Canada for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. AbbVie also received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommending marketing authorization for Skyrizi for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy, with a regulatory decision in Europe expected in the first half of this year.

About Skyrizi

Skyrizi is an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-23 by binding to its p19 subunit. IL-23, a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes, is thought to be linked to a number of chronic immune-mediated diseases, including psoriasis.7

Skyrizi is approved in the U.S. and Canada for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and in Japan for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, generalized pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in adult patients who have an inadequate response to conventional therapies. A marketing authorization application (MAA) for Skyrizi for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis was submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in May 2018 and is currently under evaluation.

Phase 3 trials of Skyrizi in Crohn's disease and psoriatic arthritis are ongoing, and it is also being investigated to treat ulcerative colitis.8-12

Skyrizi U.S. Use and Important Safety Information

Skyrizi™ is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet or UV light (phototherapy).

What is the most important information I should know about Skyrizi?

Skyrizi may cause serious side effects, including infections. Skyrizi is a prescription medicine that may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with Skyrizi and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with Skyrizi if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with Skyrizi.

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