Study: ILUMYA® Effective for Nail Psoriasis Treatment

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., USA, a subsidiary of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, recently unveiled the results of a Phase 3b clinical study at the American Academy of Dermatology. This research focused on the drug ILUMYA® (tildrakizumab-asmn) and its effectiveness in treating moderate-to-severe psoriasis of the nails. The trial, which was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, comprised 99 participants diagnosed with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Findings from the study demonstrated that ILUMYA yielded substantial improvement in the severity of nail psoriasis compared to placebo. Specifically, patients receiving ILUMYA showed a significantly higher rate of improvement, with 25.5% achieving a 75% reduction in symptoms according to the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (mNAPSI 75) by Week 28. This outcome was starkly contrasted by the placebo group, which only saw a 4.5% improvement. Additionally, 29.4% of those treated with ILUMYA achieved either normal nails or nails with minimal psoriasis, based on the ViSENPsO® score, compared to just 4.2% in the placebo group. ViSENPsO is a clinical tool for evaluating psoriasis severity, incorporating visual medical scales and Patient Global Assessment questionnaires.

The trial affirmed that ILUMYA's safety profile remained consistent with previous findings, with no serious adverse events associated with the treatment. Dr. Paul Yamauchi, MD, the lead investigator, noted the difficulty in treating nail psoriasis due to the limitations of current therapies, which often fail to provide enduring relief or prompt results. Dr. Yamauchi highlighted that ILUMYA, unlike other IL-23 inhibitors, has undergone dedicated studies to evaluate its efficacy for nail psoriasis, showcasing its potential to improve patient outcomes and alleviate discomfort.

Nail psoriasis affects approximately half of individuals with plaque psoriasis, significantly impacting their quality of life. Effective and long-lasting treatments for nail psoriasis have been challenging to develop, largely due to the complex nature of the condition. Marek Honczarenko, M.D., PhD, Senior Vice President and Head of Development at Sun Pharma North America, emphasized the profound effect nail psoriasis can have on daily life, causing both physical pain and emotional distress. He expressed the company's commitment to developing innovative therapies that enhance patients' quality of life, noting that the data, alongside existing findings in scalp psoriasis, underscores ILUMYA's benefits for those with hard-to-treat conditions.

Common adverse reactions observed in ILUMYA treatment, occurring in more than 1% of patients, included upper respiratory infections, injection-site reactions, and diarrhea, which were more frequent than in the placebo group. These findings contribute to the accumulating evidence supporting ILUMYA as a promising treatment option for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, particularly those with scalp and nail involvement.

ILUMYA (tildrakizumab-asmn) is a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to target the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23), thereby inhibiting its interaction with the IL-23 receptor and preventing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. It is indicated for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy in the United States, and has received approval for similar indications in Australia, Japan, and under the name ILUMETRI® in Europe, where it is marketed by Almirall.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, the parent company, stands as a leading entity in specialty generics with a significant presence in dermatology, ophthalmology, and onco-dermatology. The company's expansive operations deliver high-quality medications to over 100 countries, supported by a multicultural workforce from over 50 nations.