New results from a Phase II head-to-head psoriasis study showed superior efficacy of Boehringer Ingelheim’s investigational biologic compound BI 655066, over ustekinumab, Boehrninger Ingelheim announced on October 8, 2015. After nine months, 69 percent of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis maintained clear or almost clear skin (PASI 90) with BI 655066 in the higher dose group compared to 30 percent of patients on ustekinumab. Patients also achieved this skin clearance significantly faster (approximately eight weeks versus approximately 16 weeks) and for more than two months longer (≥ 32 weeks versus 24 weeks) than those on ustekinumab. In addition, completely clear skin (PASI 100) was maintained after nine months in nearly triple the percentage of patients on BI 655066 compared with ustekinumab (43 percent versus 15 percent). "These results are striking. They further strengthen our understanding of the potential skin improvement that can be achieved with BI 655066, in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. We saw a third more patients achieve clearer skin in a short time period. And this clearance was maintained longer compared to the commonly used treatment ustekinumab," commented Kim A. Papp, M.D., Ph.D., President of Probity Medical Research, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. "Achieving clear skin quickly and maintaining clearance is an important goal for patients who have to deal with the daily impact of psoriasis." These meaningful 24-week findings from a Phase II study in psoriasis were presented on October 8, 2015 in an oral presentation by Dr. Papp at the 24th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.Login Or Register To Read Full Story