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Amgen could have a strong year as the turbulence of 2019 fades into the rearview, according to a Wednesday afternoon note by Citi analyst Mohit Bansal.

Bansal, who rates the stock a Buy, increased his price target to $275 per share from $245. Shares of Amgen (ticker: AMGN) closed on Wednesday at $236.75.

We think in 2020 the company could do more than just catching up with the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index as the setup looks even better this time versus 2019, he wrote.

Bansal argued that uncertainty around sales drop-offs for Amgen products now facing biosimilar competition had passed, and that the acquisition of Bristol-Myers Squibbs (BMY) psoriasis drug Otezla would boost Amgens growth.

The back story. Shares of Amgen are up 16.2% over the past 12 months, and down 2.3% so far in 2020. The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology exchange-traded fund (IBB) is up 10% over the past 12 months and down 1.4% so far this year.

Whats new. In his note, Bansal argued that the AMGN story has more room to run. He said that the companys price/earnings ratio, which is now around 15, is in line with the Big Pharma companies, despite analysts expecting a higher rate of growth from Amgen.

We think the setup looks better for AMGN in 2020 as there is less uncertainty this time around, he wrote.

Bansal noted that the company is expecting a number of major catalysts in 2020, including data on lung-cancer, asthma, psoriasis, and heart-failure treatments.

He also said that the resolution of an intellectual property case around Amgens Enbrel in the companys favor cleared a major overhang and made the stock easy to own.

Looking forward. Amgen shares were down 1.1%, at $234.07, in recent trading, while the S&P 500 was down 0.2%. The company will announce its fourth-quarter earnings next Thursday, Jan. 30, after the market closes.

Write to Josh Nathan-Kazis at josh.nathan-kazis@barrons.com

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Amgen Stock Is Poised to Gain in 2020, Analyst Says. Heres Why. - Barron's

The likelihood that patients treated with apremilast for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) will have low disease activity (LDA) or remission by week 52 is greater for patients with moderate disease activity (MDA) compared with those with high disease activity (HDA), according to study results published in Arthritis Care & Research. Patients who achieved the Clinical Disease Activity for Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) targets by week 52 also had mild or no arthritis or other PsA manifestations.

Using the pooled data from the phase 3 randomized Psoriatic Arthritis Long-Term Assessment of Clinical Efficacy (PALACE 1, 2, and 3) studies, which evaluated the oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor apremilast, investigators sought to identify the subgroups of patients most likely to benefit from apremilast therapy. Probability analyses were performed using multiple imputations for discontinuations and missing values to assess the likelihood that patients would achieve cDAPSA targets by week 52. Longitudinal analyses grouped by cDAPSA category were performed to assess musculoskeletal and nonmusculoskeletal domains of PsA.

Of the 1493 participants randomly assigned to receive 1 dose of apremilast in the PALACE 1-3 studies (placebo, n=496; apremilast 30 mg twice a day, n=497; apremilast 20 mg twice a day, n=500), 494 who had been randomly assigned to receive apremilast 30 mg at baseline and baseline cDAPSA scores available were included in the probability analyses assessing the likelihood of achieving cDAPSA LDA or remission. A total of 375 patients were randomly assigned to receive apremilast 30 mg at baseline with available week 52 cDAPSA scores were included in the longitudinal analyses of cDAPSA and musculoskeletal and nonmusculoskeletal domains of PsA.

Of the 494 patients included in probability analyses, 46.9% with MDA at baseline achieved LDA or remission by week 52 compared with 24.9% with HDA at baseline. At week 16, patients with LDA at baseline showed response rates of 40.0% remission, 40.0% LDA, 20% MDA, and 0% HAD; patients with MDA at baseline showed response rates of 7.0% remission, 29.8% LDA, 44.7% MDA, and 18.4% HAD; and patients with HAD at baseline showed response rates of 2.1% remission, 11.5% LDA, 38.1% MDA, and 48.3% HAD.

Among patients with MDA at baseline, achieving LDA or remission at week 16 was associated with a high probability (58.9%-88.5%) of maintaining target improvements through week 52; a mean reduction of 30% in cDAPSA score by week 16 was associated with a 63% probability of achieving treatment targets by week 52.

For the 375 patients included in longitudinal analyses, achieving treatment targets with apremilast was associated with continuous improvements in disease activity and mild or no arthritis and other PsA manifestations. Researchers indicated that achieving cDAPSA targets with apremilast was associated with control of PsA musculoskeletal and nonmusculoskeletal domains not included in the cDAPSA.

Study limitations included the use of Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score to assess enthesitis because of which peripheral enthesitis may have been indirectly accounted for with the cDAPSA.

Our findings indicate that patients with [MDA] at baseline have a higher likelihood of achieving optimal outcomes with apremilast compared with those in HDA at baseline. Early and partial responses by [week] 16 were associated with achieving long-term treatment targets. Finally, the results support the use of the cDAPSA to monitor patients treated with apremilast given that domains not captured by the cDAPSA traveled in the same direction as the cDAPSA. At a population level, patients who achieved cDAPSA [remission] or LDA also had no or mild musculoskeletal and [nonmusculoskeletal] disease manifestations, the researchers concluded.

Disclosure: Several study authors declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors disclosures.

Reference

Mease PJ, Gladman DD, Ogdie A, et al. Treatment to target in psoriatic arthritis with apremilast: Probability of achieving targets and comprehensive control of disease manifestations [published online January 7, 2020]. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). doi:10.1002/acr.24134

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Greater Remission or Low Disease Activity With Apremilast in Moderate Psoriatic Arthritis - Rheumatology Advisor

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Chronic Plaque Psoriasis Therapeutics Market Rising Demand and International Forecast Scope Led by Top Key Players 2017 2025 Dagoretti News -...

What is psoriatic arthritis? Symptoms, causes, treatment; tips to improve your joint health  |  Photo Credit: Getty Images

New Delhi: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a form ofinflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis - a skin condition characterised by red, scaly skin patches. The prevalence of psoriasis in the general population is one-three per cent, whereas the prevalence of PsA can range between five per cent and 40 per cent amongst people with psoriasis. It is more common in males and it usually appears in the third to fifth decade of life.

Basically, psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own tissues. The exact cause of the condition is not clear, however, genetic and environmental factors are known to play a role in its manifestation. PsA can be triggered by stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and some infections.

According to Dr Siddharth Shah, Orthopaedic& Joint Replacement Surgeon, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim - A Fortis Associate, patients usually develop psoriasis before experiencing joint symptoms, adding that symptoms of PsA can vary from person to person. Some of the common symptoms include:

Joints related symptoms:PsA causes joint inflammation resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity. It commonly affects fingers, wrists, toes, ankles, and knees. Many joints of the body can be affected at the same time. Arthritis can also be symmetrical, i.e. the same joint on both sides of the body can be affected. There may be generalised fatigue. Advanced cases of PsA can result in deformities which are usually seen in the hands and the feet.

Tendon and ligament inflammation: This commonly presents as ankle or heel pain. Sometimes, a combination of tendon and joints inflammation in the hands can result in sausage-shaped hand deformity.

Neck and back pain:PsA can affect the joints of the spine which can result in neck and back pain.

Skin and nails: Psoriasis causes dry, red, scaly, and itchy skin rash due to rapid turnover of skin cells. It is commonly seen on the scalp, knees, and elbows, although any part of the body surface can be involved. It can also affect the nails resulting in their discolouration and pitting.

Diagnosis for psoriatic arthritis is usually based on history and physical examination of the joints, skin, and nails. Your doctor may also prescribe certain blood tests and X-rays in order to confirm the diagnosis.

You may be prescribed medicines to control inflammation in your joints and prevent further damage. Topical applications may be prescribed for controlling your skin symptoms. Sometimes, injections may be given inside the affected joints to control symptoms.

Joint reconstruction surgery may be required in cases of advanced or irreversible joint damage.

There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, but lifestyle modification along with medication, when necessary, can help keep the disease under control. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help prevent joint destruction and permanent disability.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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What is psoriatic arthritis? Symptoms, causes, treatment; tips to improve your joint health - Times Now

Zinc supplementation may be a potential adjunctive approach for several major inflammatory skin diseases, including acne vulgaris and atopic dermatitis, yet clinical evidence of the benefit of zinc in these disorders is mixed. This is according to data from preliminary findings from small studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.

The study was a systematic review of trials that evaluated zinc supplementation and associated disease-related outcomes in patients with acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, diaper dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and rosacea. In the review, a total of 22 studies, which included 1667 patients and evaluated zinc gluconate (10-90 mg/day), zinc sulfate (0.375-1.8 g/day), and zinc oxide (0.012 g/day), were included.

In the 9 studies that compared zinc with placebo in patients with acne, there was an overall trend in favor of zinc supplementation. Although another study found zinc supplementation plus lactoferrin and vitamin E was associated with significant reductions in comedones and inflammatory lesions, researchers were unable to determine whether the causative factor was the zinc alone, or the combination of the zinc with lactoferrin and vitamin E. Compared with zinc, antibiotics demonstrated superior efficacy for acne management in 3 studies.

Findings varied in 2 studies that evaluated oral zinc for atopic dermatitis, with 1 study showing no beneficial effect vs placebo, and the other study showing a potential benefit of zinc for reducing disease severity. In another study of patients with rosacea, no significant difference was observed between oral zinc sulfate and placebo. This study resulted in early termination, as zinc was found to be less efficacious than placebo.

Limitations of the studies included in this review included the small sample sizes and the use of placebos containing ingredients that may lead to worsening of acne.

Although zinc appears to possess anti-inflammatory properties that may theoretically result in clinical improvements in some dermatologic conditions, the investigators noted that zinc supplementation may not be universally beneficial in dermatologic inflammatory disease.

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Reference

Dhaliwal S, Nguyen M, Vaughn AR, Notay M, Chambers CJ, Sivamani RK. Effects of zinc supplementation on inflammatory skin diseases: a systematic review of the clinical evidence [published online November 19, 2019]. Am J Clin Dermatol. doi:10.1007/s40257-019-00484-0

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Data Are Mixed for Using Zinc to Treat Inflammatory Skin Conditions - Dermatology Advisor