Almirall’s Ilumetri improves and maintains well-being in plaque psoriasis patients

Almirall has shared promising results for Ilumetri (tildrakizumab) in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis at the International Federation of Psoriasis Association Conference 2024 in Sweden.

The POSITIVE clinical study, involving 782 adults, has been assessing the impact and skin clearance of Ilumetri in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. This study is notable as it is the first dermatological research to utilize the five-item World Health Organization Wellbeing Index, a widely accepted questionnaire for evaluating health-related psychological well-being in chronic diseases.

Psoriasis, which affects approximately 60 million people worldwide, is characterized by flaky skin patches. It significantly impacts patients' daily activities and well-being, with nearly 77% of affected individuals reporting negative effects on their normal routines.

Ilumetri functions as a humanized monoclonal antibody, targeting the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines while sparing the rest of the immune system. Interim results from the study showed substantial improvements in skin clearance, especially in sensitive areas like the scalp, nails, and palms/soles. Additionally, Ilumetri effectively addressed high-burden symptoms such as itch, pain, joint pain, and fatigue. Remarkably, nearly six out of ten patients achieved a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index response of one or below at the 52-week mark. Importantly, no new safety concerns were observed, aligning with previous studies.

Furthermore, by 16 weeks, Ilumetri had already significantly improved the well-being of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, restoring their well-being levels to those of the general population. This finding underscores the need to understand the psychosocial burden of psoriasis beyond its physical symptoms.

Dr. Volker Koscielny, Almirall’s chief medical officer, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, "These results represent a significant milestone in our efforts to address the needs of patients and dermatologists in treating chronic dermatological conditions and improving patients' health and well-being."

Earlier in the year, Almirall had presented preliminary results from the POSITIVE study at the 2024 World Congress of Dermatology in Singapore.

Additionally, Almirall's Klisyri (tirbanibulin) recently received expanded approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for treating actinic keratosis (AK), a common precancerous condition. This approval followed the company's publication of its AK survey in May, which was part of its AK Global Day 'Stay Vigilant' campaign.

In summary, the recent findings from the POSITIVE clinical study highlight the effectiveness of Ilumetri in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, significantly improving both skin clearance and patients' overall well-being. These results mark a critical advancement in addressing the comprehensive treatment needs of psoriasis patients.