Category Archives: Psoriasis

Sun Pharma and Samsung BioLogics announce strategic manufacturing tie-up for tildrakizumab.

Sun Pharmaand Samsung BioLogics announced a strategic long-term manufacturing agreement for tildrakizumab. The agreement was entered into by Sun Pharma's wholly owned subsidiary and Samsung BioLogics. According to the agreement, Sun Pharma has appointed Samsung BioLogics to manufacture tildrakizumab, an investigational IL-23p19 inhibitor being evaluated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Filings for the novel investigational biologic was accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in March. The agreement was signed at Samsung BioLogics' headquarters in Incheon,South Korea. The approximate value of the contract will be $55.5 million. Other financial details of the agreement were confidential.

"Samsung BioLogics is a globally renowned CMO. Through this partnership we will leverage Samsung's manufacturing knowledge and world class quality systems to provide high quality products for the tildrakizumab pipeline,"Kirti Ganorkar, global headportfolio management and business development atSun Pharma, said.

Tildrakizumab is an investigational humanized, anti-IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody designed to selectively block the cytokine IL-23. With this precise targeting, tildrakizumab has the potential to help control the pathogenic cells responsible for the inflammatory process of psoriasis with limited impact on the rest of the immune system.

Phase-3 tildrakizumab data provide further evidence for the role of the IL-23 pathway in helping to control the inflammatory process of psoriasis. The regulatory filings associated with tildrakizumab have been accepted for review by the FDA and EMA.

A Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. wholly owned subsidiary received worldwide rights to tildrakizumab from Merck, known as MSD outsidethe United StatesandCanada, in 2014. Funded by a Sun Pharma subsidiary, Merck is responsible for the completion of Phase-3 trials in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis and, as appropriate, submission of a Biologics License Application to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Merck is also responsible for manufacturing finished goods to support Sun Pharma's initial product launch.

Post-approval in the U.S., Sun Pharma will be responsible for all other regulatory activities, including subsequent submissions, pharmacovigilance, post approval studies, manufacturing and commercialization of the approved product. Sun Pharma will also be responsible for all regulatory, pharmacovigilance, post approval studies, manufacturing and commercialization of approved products for all non-U.S. markets. Merck is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on sales of tildrakizumab.

(Source: PR Newswire)

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CMO Samsung BioLogics Inks Deal to Manufacture Plaque Psoriasis Inhibitor - Pharmaceutical Processing

Novartis could gain further traction in the psoriasis drug market after European regulators granted a label update showing the firms Cosentyx clears skin better than Johnson & Johnsons rival, Stelara.

Europes CHMP scientific committee approved the label update for Cosentyx (secukinumab), the first interleukin-17A approved to treat psoriasis.

Sales of Cosentyx, which is injected every four weeks, are mounting and the drug looks set to achieve blockbuster status, with sales expected to peak at around $4 billion.

But the market is highly competitive, with a range of disease modifying drugs available and Stelara establishing itself as a mainstay treatment.

Results of the CLEAR study showing Cosentyx is better at clearing skin than Stelara first emerged at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (EADV) conference in October.

Data presented at the congress in Vienna, showed Cosentyx is significantly superior to J&Js Stelara (ustekinumab)in delivering long-lasting skin clearance in psoriasis over 52 weeks.

Further data published at the congress also showed long-lasting clear or almost clear skin in the vast majority of patients, with a favourable safety profile over four years.

Almost all response rates are maintained from year one to year four, according to data.

The four-year data was based on assessments using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 90 (almost clear skin), and PASI 100 (clear skin).

The label update also includes data on the treatment of scalp psoriasis, a particularly difficult form of the disease to treat as activity is often maintained through hair care, scratching and shampooing.

Vas Narasimhan, Novartis chief medical officer, said: We are continually investigating new areas for Cosentyx to significantly enhance patients quality of life, such as scalp psoriasis.

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Novartis' psoriasis drug gets label boost - pharmaphorum

The skin condition psoriasis affects thousands of men and women across the UK

THE skin condition psoriasis affects thousands of men and women across the UK, with many sufferers believing there is an enormous amount of stigma around the disorder.

Kim Kardashian has revealed she has finally learned to live with the condition which she described as her biggest flaw while model Cara Delevigne is also a sufferer.

Caters News Agency

The condition causes red and crusty patches with silvery scales to flare-up on the skin.

They normally appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but can crop up anywhere on the body.

The patches can sometimes be itchy or sore.

Roughly two per cent of the population are affected by psoriasis and and the number is roughly split equally between men and women.

Its severity varies from person to person and for some people it is merely a small irritation.

In more serious cases it can have a crushing impact on a sufferers life.

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Psoriasis isnt fully understood by health professionals but it is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system.

People with the condition have increased production of skin cells.

Normally skin cells are replaced over a three to four week period.

When someone has psoriasis this process only lasts six or seven days and thats what causes the red patches to emerge.

In people with psoriasis the immune system accidentally attacks healthy skin cells by mistake.

The disorder is thought to run in the family but the precise role genetic plays is unclear.

Many peoples symptoms are triggered meaning the rash will occur when they injure the skin, get a throat infection, or use certain medicines.

Guttate and pustular are two different types of the skin condition psoriasis.

Pustular psoriasis is a rare type of the disease, which causes pustules and pus-filled blisters to form on the skin.

It also makes the skin around the blisters turn red although the pus is not infected and the person is not contagious.

Outbreaks can flare up any time and cases of the condition can include certain medicines, infections and even pregnancy.

Treatment includes using topical creams, light therapy and a combination of therapies.

Meanwhile guttate psoriasis causes pink rashes to form across the chest, arms, legs and scalp.

It is usually caused by an infection and while outbreaks can be a one-off they can also go away and come back.

Infections that cause the condition include tonsillitis and pharyngitis as well as viral infections such as chikenpox and rubella.

The rashes usually go away by themselves, but if not steroid creams and anitibiotics can be prescribed.

A GP can usually spot it simply by its appearance on the skin, but sometimes they will take a small sample to be examined under a microscope.

This will rule out other skin disorders.

Psoriasis has no cure but treatments can reduce the itchiness and the appearance of skin patches.

Topical treatments, meaning creams and ointments, can be rubbed into the skin.

If these arent effective that phototherapy can be used to treat it.

SWNS:South West News Service

This involves the skin being exposed to ultraviolet light.

In truly severe cases oral or injected medicines are available that work throughout the whole body.

One of the more high-profile psoriasis sufferers is Kim Kardashian, who in the past has been seen with big red patches on her arms.

The mum of two,inherited the condition from her mum Kris Jenner and was first diagnosed back in 2010.

Kim told her website: Everyone with psoriasis has different symptoms; sometimes the rashes are itchy, sometimes theyre flaky. Mine flares up from time to time for different reasons.

Model Cara Develvingne also suffers from the skin condition, which is brought on by stress.

Her punishing schedule led her to develop psoriasis which had to be laboriously covered up in thick make-up.

People would put on gloves and not want to touch me because they thought it was, like, leprosy or something, said the 24-year-old.

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What is psoriasis, what are guttate and pustular psoriasis, is there a cure, what causes it and which celebrities ... - The Sun

Editors note: This information is provided for educational purposes. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. If you have skin lesions or any health issue, consult a licensed healthcare practitioner in person.

Psoriasis is complex to treat.

In fact, Physician Paul Bechet once said its the antidote to a dermatologists ego (1).

Its an autoimmune disease that causes chronic pain and itching that can severely impact on quality of life.

Many foods and supplements are rumored to help with psoriasis treatment. But does research support these claims?

This article examines the evidence surrounding the relationship between diet and psoriasis.

Psoriasisis a chronic autoimmune disease that causes patches of skin to become inflamed and scaly.

It affects up to 4% of the worlds population (2).

Symptoms occur in flares, and include itching, pain, and skin lesions. Psoriasis may also cause pitted fingernails and toenails, as well as mouth sores.

There are sixtypesof psoriasis. Each type causes a distinctive rash:

Plaque psoriasis.Image source.

Guttate psoriasis.Image source.

Inverse psoriasis.Image source.

Pustular psoriasis.Image source.

Erythrodermic psoriasis.Image source.

Summary:Psoriasis is a chronic condition that causes distinctive skin rashes, itching, inflammation, and pain. Symptoms occur in flares.

Psoriasis is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors (3).

One large study found that a persons risk increases up to 65% if their parents have psoriasis, and up to 83% if both their parents and siblings have it (4).

Not everyone who carries the gene will develop psoriasis. However, exposure to certain environmental stimuli may increase a persons likelihood of developing the disease.

These stimuli include:

In the presence of both environmental and genetic factors, the immune system malfunctions.

T cells, which normally respond to infection and injury, are mistakenly activated as a result. These cells recruit other immune cells and trigger the release of inflammatorycytokines(13).

This causes the skin cells to die off and regenerate more quickly than they should.

Onset of psoriasis.Image source. Click to enlarge.

The same environmental factors that cause psoriasis can also lead to flares, so its best to limit exposure to them when possible.

Summary:Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. Many people carry a gene for the disease and develop it after exposure to certain environmental factors.

The standardtreatmentsfor psoriasis involve topical and oral medications, as well as ultraviolet light therapy.

There is no scientific proof that diet is an effective treatment for psoriasis on its own.

However, patient testimonials and studies have shown certain diet strategies may help relieve psoriasis symptoms, especially when combined with traditional therapies.

The following sections will focus on foods and nutrients that affect psoriasis severity.

Overweight (in a clinical setting) is characterized by a body mass index (BMI) greater than 24.9.

A BMI greater than 29.9 is classified as obese.

Many studies have found a possible link between obesity and psoriasis.

In one long-term study of more than 67,000 females (14):

Even weight gain of just 10 pounds (4.5 kg) appears to increase risk by up to 8%, regardless of BMI classification (15).

In addition to risk, obesity is also linked to disease severity. This is likely because excessive fat tissue increases production of inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to inflammation and lesions in psoriasis (16,17).

It makes sense then that studies have shown that calorie restriction paired with medication is more effective in reducing psoriasis symptoms than medication alone (18).

Notably, most studies on obesity and psoriasis are observational. This means that researchers arent exactly sure if obesity causes the disease or vice versa.

In any case, psoriasis is linked with several other heart disease risk factors, including high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Weight loss can reduce heart disease risk for people who are overweight or obese, so it makes sense to maintain a healthy weight (17).

You can calculate your BMIhere.

Summary:Those who are very overweight are more likely to have psoriasis, although researchers arent sure if obesity causes it directly. Maintaining a healthy bodyweight also lowers risk of heart disease which is more common in psoriasis patients.

The autoimmune protocol(AIP) is a diet that eliminates gluten, soy, dairy, legumes, grains, added sugars, nightshades, and alcohol for at least 30 days.

The goal is to identify foods that trigger undesirable autoimmune reactions.

Theres a strong link between psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases. In one large study, those with psoriasis had higher rates of 14 different autoimmune disease than the general population (19).

Patient testimonials suggest that the AIP is helpful for many conditions, including psoriasis.

There have been no clinical trials on the AIP, so theres no scientific evidence to support it. But certain foods eliminated in the AIPincluding gluten and alcoholhave been reported to worsen psoriasis symptoms.

Some small studies have shown a gluten-free diet to improve psoriasis symptoms, but only in those with antibodies againstgliadin(a protein found in gluten). These antibodies would be seen in those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (20).

Although other studies found no benefits at all, so its all quite unclear at this stage (19).

A stronger link has been suggested between alcohol intake and psoriasis severity.

One review of 28 studies found that alcohol is likely a risk factor for developing psoriasis, and that those with the disease drink more than healthy adults (11).

Its best to avoid alcohol if you have psoriasis, or a strong family history of it.

Summary:Patient testimonials suggest that the autoimmune protocol may help with psoriasis, but this hasnt been formally studied. You should definitely avoid alcohol and potentially gluten too if you are sensitive.

A Western diet high in fat, sodium, and added sugars has been linked to inflammation and autoimmune disease (21).

For this reason a so-called anti-inflammatory diet may ease psoriasis symptoms.

Theres no universal definition for anti-inflammatory diet, but it generally refers to a style of eating that (22,23,24):

An anti-inflammatory diet hasnt been studied in psoriasis specifically, but systemic inflammation is a key feature of the disease.

This diet pattern has also been shown to help with certain autoimmune diseases, so in theory and based on patient testimonials it may be beneficial (18,25,26).

Patient testimonials also indicate that an anti-inflammatory eating pattern is helpful for arthritis. As such, it may be useful for relieving pain and stiffness in thosewith psoriatic arthritis(27,28).

The diet is similar in many ways to the Mediterranean diet, which includes fish and lean meats, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, whole grains, and legumes.

In one study, stronger adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with fewer psoriasis symptoms. Further, those with fewer symptoms ate more fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fish and less meat (29).

More human studies are needed to know if the Mediterranean diet is beneficial for psoriasis. But given itsother health benefits, such as reducing heart disease risk, it makes sense to eat this way regardless of its effects on skin (30).

Summary:Anti-inflammatory and Mediterranean diets emphasize healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. One study linked the Mediterranean diet with improved psoriasis symptoms.

Several dietary supplements have been reported tohelp with psoriasis treatment.

Fish oil capsules contain the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA).

Its known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

In one literature review, 12 of 15 studies found fish oil to improve psoriasis severity (31).

The strongest evidence is in support of high-dose intravenous (IV) omega-3 infusions for plaque and guttate psoriasis. However, this isnt a typical therapy, and wouldnt be readily available to most patients (32,33).

One small observational study found that oral fish oil supplements significantly reduced psoriasis severity and improved quality of life when paired with prescription ointment. Volunteers in this study received 640 mg of DHA plus EPA per day for eight weeks (34).

Change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) overdurationof study for fish oil plus ointment group compared to ointment only group.Lowerscore is better. Click to enlarge.

Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects but it looks promising.

Probioticsare beneficial bacteria that we eat.

They have been the focus of many studies recently because of the interaction between the gutmicrobiomeand various health conditions, including psoriasis.

One study found adults with psoriasisespecially psoriatic arthritisto have less diversity in gut bacteria than healthy adults. The researchers likened the bacterial profile in psoriasis to that of inflammatory bowel disease, which often responds well to probiotics (35,36).

In another study, 23 patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis received the probioticBifidobacterium infantis35264 at a dose of 11010colony forming units (CFU) per day for eight weeks.

Researchers found that most blood markers of inflammation (CRP and TNF-) were significantly lower at eight weeks (37).

Other probiotic strains havent been studied specifically in psoriasis yet.

Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system by inhibiting T cell multiplication and limiting cytokine production (38).

Because T cells and cytokines play key roles in psoriasis, and because vitamin D deficiency is common among those with autoimmune disease, its been studied as a possible psoriasis treatment (38).

One literature review found vitamin D supplements and ointments to be as effective as corticosteroids in easing symptoms. The benefits were even greater when vitamin D was used with a high-dose steroid ointment (39).

In one study, 85 psoriasis patients began taking 0.5 micrograms (g) of oral calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D3) per day. Researchers increased the daily dosage by 0.5 g every two weeks, as long as lab tests were normal. Volunteers received treatment for between 6-36 months.

Patients saw significant reductions in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores at six months and even greater improvements at 24 months. Nearly 27% had complete improvement in symptoms, while 88% had some improvement (31,40).

The results are promising, and no negative side effects were reported.

But high quality clinical trials are needed to make firm conclusions.

Antioxidants are molecules that protect cells againstoxidative stress.

A handful of studies have linked oxidative stress and psoriasis, and certain antioxidants have been proposed as a supplemental therapy for the disease (41,42).

Seleniumis an antioxidant mineral found in vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, grains, and eggs.

Evidence is conflicting as to whether selenium deficiency directly contributes to psoriasis risk (43,44).

Small studies, however, have found that it may play an indirect role. Selenium helps inhibit activity of a protein calledosteopontin, and high osteopontin levels are thought to increase psoriasis risk (45,46).

Its unclear whether selenium supplements are helpful in reducing symptoms though.

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Psoriasis Treatment: Does Your Diet Matter? - The Good Men Project (blog)

wbur Narrating Medicine A new category of drugs, biologics, inhibits elements of the immune system that fuel inflammation. Humira is an example of a biologic. (David J. Phillip/AP)

My body is a walking encyclopedia covering 40 years of psoriasis treatments.

I've had hundreds of cortisone injections shot into my scalp, arms and legs. Thick black tar applied to my head so it could be absorbed into the scaly red plaques that surfaced when my condition flared. Salicylic acid shampoos that stunk like hot asphalt. Light box treatments. Methotrexate and cyclosporine, immune system suppressants prescribed variously for cancers, rheumatoid arthritis and organ transplant recipients.

And still, it was there. Always, or nearly always. The inflamed, flaking, cracking skin. Wavy ridges in my fingernails. Hundreds of hours spent in dermatology offices. Thousands of attempts to hide painful, embarrassing skin patches that would appear on elbows, knees, scalp and other surprising places when I was under stress, on a deadline, or for no obvious reason at all.

I am not alone. Last year, the World Health Organizations Global Report on Psoriasis called the disease a "serious global problem with at least 100 million individuals affected worldwide." That includes more than 7 million Americans. We are legion. With lesions.

Psoriasis is a mystery, a disease of the immune system with no clear cause or cure. For years, traditional medications that were developed initially for arthritis, Crohn's disease or other immune conditions eventually dropped down the pharmaceutical food chain to psoriasis patients.

Lately, though, that landscape has been shifting, with the advent of a new category of drugs: biologics, genetically engineered proteins derived from human genes. Usually injections that a patient administers at home, they inhibit elements of the immune system that fuel inflammation.

Humira, Enbrel and Cosentyx are examples of biologics. And a recent paper in The Lancet shows promise for a new biologic called tildrakizumab. Designed primarily for psoriasis, it may ultimately have additional applications.

Tildrakizumab differs from earlier, similar biologics by targeting a very specific immune system pathway.

"The breakthrough is that we have continued to refine our treatments to those that are likely to be most effective against psoriasis but less likely to affect other important pathways at the same time," says study senior author Dr. Alexa Kimball, a dermatologist and presidentof Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

From Accidental Findings To'First In Line'

Psoriasis treatments have mostly been accidental discoveries, Kimball said.

Occasionally, a psoriasis patient who needed an organ transplant would end up being treated with cyclosporine, and it was amazing how a drug like that cleared the skin, sheexplained. And so there was this sort of accidental-incidental way that early psoriasis treatments were discovered.

Treatment evolved with those incidental discoveries, including traditional medications such as cortisone and cyclosporine, which are still prescribed frequently for mild to moderate psoriasis.

The first generation of biologics to treat psoriasis entered the market in the early 2000s. They have fewer side effects than traditional medications (the cyclosporine Im currently taking can impact liver and kidney function), are generally well tolerated, and the majority of patients don't mind injecting themselves.

But they still carry the risks of immune suppression, including reactivation of tuberculosis, and increased susceptibility to viral infections and certain cancers.

Immune proteins evolved to protect us from infection, explained immunologist Dr. Sarah Gaffen of the University of Pittsburgh. So when you start blocking them, youre going to raise the specter of some sort of infectious disease.

The good news is that highly focused drugs, like tildrakizumab, do mean greater improvement on psoriasis symptoms with far fewer side effects. Gaffen refers to the targeted nature of biologics as exquisitely specific.

And because psoriasis isnt a life or death matter, patients who are enrolled in research protocols can also be put on placebos with limited risk to their overall health. Thats not an option with arthritis or Crohns disease, where irreversible harm might be done without ongoing treatment. And, as Kimball added, The results are right in front of your face with psoriasis. You can see such a dramatic improvement.

More good news: In drug development these days, psoriasis has been gaining traction as a proof of principle disease, according to Kimball. If a medication did well on psoriasis, it was pretty likely to do well in other [immune] areas.

"The paradigm has completely switched," she added. "Psoriasis was last in line 10 or 15 years ago. Now its often first.

High Hopes, High Prices

Now for the not-so-good news, long familiar to anyone who takes biologics: the price tags.

While tildrakizumab isnt yet on the market, other biologics are, and I was recently introduced to the challenge of acquiring them.

I was having a severe psoriasis flare. Red, cracked, inflamed skin, so painful it was difficult to bend my arms or sit. My dermatologist prescribed Humira.

The prescription was filled before my insurance company had a chance to determine coverage. I asked the pharmacist how much the medication would cost if I paid out of pocket.

She looked at the computer screen, and then at me. Then again at the computer. I raised my eyebrows.

Do you want to guess? she asked me.

$600, I ventured.

She shook her head.

$6,000?

She shook her head again. I shrugged. She paused. $30,000.

$30,000? I repeated. I might as well buy a car.

You should, she said. Because thats not even for the whole year.

Kimball confirmed the cost. Usually we expect these drugs at list prices to run around $50,000 a year. They are very expensive drugs, she said.

Needless to say, I postponed the Humira. I may start on it this fall, when it's fully covered.

In 2016, Humira grossed over $16 billion, putting it in first place for the best-selling drug of the year, according to Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, a trade publication.

According to the WHO report, treatments for psoriasis around the world --whether simple creams or complex biologics --are either unavailable or are not reimbursed for the majority of patients. And its hard to imagine anyone paying $50,000 to Walgreens out of a checking account.

Yet biologics offer the greatest advances yet in treating immune-regulated diseases. And tildrakizumab, while developed for moderate to severe psoriasis, may be one that also holds the potential to benefit other diseases in the future.

I hope those of us who need it will have access. Kimball recognizes this hurdle: "Figuring out how to get this right," she said, "so we ensure access to the patients who need these medications, is one of the things that absolutely keeps me up at night."

Beth Jones is a Boston-based writer and educator.

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Progress On Psoriasis, From 'Last In Line' To Often First, But At A Price - WBUR

Li Xitian has developed thick, crusty patches of skin over his head, shoulders and back

FOR almost 40 years Li Xitian has suffered from an incurable skin condition that makes his skin as rough as tree bark.

Li, 58, is believed to be suffering from an extreme case of psoriasis a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales.

AsiaWire

AsiaWire

His crusty, bark-like skin has spread from his head to his back and down his legs.

His body now cracks as the thick, rough skin continues to spread over his entire body.

The skin condition can start at any age but is more common in adults under 35.

The patches of skin normally appear on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on the body.

Most people are only affected with small patches.

In some cases, the patches can be itchy or sore.

AsiaWire

There is no known cure for psoriasis,but a range of treatments can improve symptoms and the appearance of skin patches.

In most cases, the first treatment used will be a topical treatment, such as vitamin D analogues or topical corticosteroids.

Topical treatments are creams and ointments applied to the skin.

AsiaWire

Li, fromWeihui city, in Central Chinas Henan Province, claims his condition was triggered by a hairdresser who accidentally cut his scalp in the 1950s.

Li has spent more than 11,350 trying to find a cure for his condition but doctors have been unable to relieve his symptoms.

Theyhave also been unable to find a link between his condition and his hairdresser theory.

Li, who never married, was built a special home inside his village so he could live in isolation.

The villagers have dubbed him bark man and, while they claim they are used to seeing Li walk around their neighbourhood, they fear his condition could spread to others.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales.

These patches normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on your body.

Most people are only affected with small patches. In some cases, the patches can be itchy or sore.

It affects around two per cent of the UK population.

Why does it happen?

People with psoriasis have anincreased production of skin cells.

Skin cells are normallymade and replaced every three to four weeks, but in psoriasis this process only lasts about three to seven days.

The resulting build-up of skin cells is what creates the patches associated with psoriasis.

It is thought to be a problem with the immune system and can run in families.

How is it treated?

Theres no cure for psoriasis, but a range of treatments can improve symptoms and the appearance of skin patches.

In most cases, the first treatment used will be a topical treatment, such as vitamin D analogues or topical corticosteroids.

Topical treatments are creams and ointments applied to the skin.

If these arent effective, or your condition is more severe, a treatment called phototherapy may be used.

Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to certain types of ultraviolet light.

In severe cases, where the above treatments are ineffective, systemic treatments may be used. These are oral or injected medicines that work throughout the whole body.

Source: NHS

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Man with skin as rough as TREE BARK lives with agonising disease that makes his body 'crack' - The Sun

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Psoriasis Treatment Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2017 to 2025" report to their offering.

The Global Psoriasis Treatment Market was valued at US$ 7.9 Bn in 2016, and is expected to reach US$ 12.8 Bn by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2017 to 2025.

The psoriasis treatment market is rapidly growing due to factors such as growing prevalence in some countries, significant unmet needs, promising pipeline molecules would drive the growth of psoriasis market worldwide. For the purpose of study, global psoriasis treatment market is segmented on the basis of drug class such as TNF Inhibitors, Vitamin D analogues, interleukin blockers and other psoriasis medication. It is observed that, in the base year 2016, interleukin blockers was major revenue contributing segment due to its long-term safety with lower risk of infection and malignancy. Psoriasis treatment market is categorized on the basis of route of administration such as topical, oral and parenteral therapeutic drugs.

Currently, topical therapeutic drugs hold largest market share due to its safety, more effectiveness and targeted drug delivery. It is anticipated that parenteral therapeutic drugs would show significant growth during forecast period because newly approved biologics are generally preferred in moderate to severe psoriasis.

Companies Mentioned

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1 Preface

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

Chapter 3 Psoriasis Treatment Market Analysis

Chapter 4 Global Psoriasis Treatment Market, by Drug Class

Chapter 5 Global Psoriasis Treatment Market, by Route of Administration

Chapter 6 Global Psoriasis Treatment Market, by Geography

Chapter 7 Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/wnpcpw/global_psoriasis

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Global Psoriasis Treatment Market to Reach $12.8 Billion by 2025 ... - Business Wire (press release)

The European Commission (EC) approved Almiralls oral dimethyl fumarate (DMF) drug Skilarence as first-line induction and maintenance therapy for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The firm said it plans to start marketing the drug in all EU member states, Iceland, and Norway during the third quarter of 2017

Spanish firm Almirall said Skilarence is the first fumaric acid ester (FAE) approved by the EC for treating psoriasis. Regulatory clearance was based on data from the placebo-controlled Phase III BRIDGE study comparing the efficacy and safety of the oral drug Skilarence with the oral FAE drug Fumaderm, which is approved in Germany but not across Europe.

Fumaric acid esters are a recommended oral systemic therapy for psoriasis and recommended in the European guidelines for induction and long-term maintenance therapy. Commenting on approval of Skilarence in Europe, Eduardo Sanchiz, Almirall's CEO, said "The EC's approval is very good news for healthcare professionals and for a large number of European patients, who will have access to a new therapeutic option for the systemic treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Skilarence is the result of Almirall's commitment to innovation, and making it available to doctors and their patients with psoriasis will constitute a very important step in reinforcing the company's position as significant player in the field of dermatology".

Almiralls dermatology portfolio accounted for 51% of its total 764.4 million (approximately $863 million) net sales in 2016. Dermatology sales during 2016 were up 32.1%, at 390 million (approximately $440 million).

Last month the firm established a collaboration with Leo Pharma to develop a painless, minimally invasive skin sampling method to aid biomarker analysis in research and clinical trials.

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Almirall Wins EC Nod for Oral DMF Psoriasis Drug Skilarence - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (press release)

Prevention.com

Here's Why We Need To Start Talking About Psoriasis, Says ... Prevention.com Olympic swimmer Dara Torres shares what it's like to live with psoriasis and talks about the Show More Of You campaign. Swimmer Dara Torres is still defying age with exercise - TODAY.comToday.com all 3 news articles »

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Here's Why We Need To Start Talking About Psoriasis, Says ... - Prevention.com

About psoriatic arthritis. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis

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