Category Archives: Psoriasis

A new report by The Patient Association in association with LEO Pharma has highlighted the significant gap between training/support available in primary care and the needs of people living with psoriasis in the UK and Ireland.

Nearly two million people are currently living with psoriasis - a common, serious, lifelong, incurable autoimmune disease - in Great Britain and Ireland. Around 80 percent of patients have chronic plaque psoriasis, which is characterised by thickened, scaly plaques on the surface of the skin causing scaling, itching, stinging, burning and bleeding.

According to the PSO What? report, psoriasis costs the UK economy over 1.07 billion in lost productivity alone, and also represents a significant drag on health services, accounting for 5 percent of GP dermatology consultations in England and Wales. And yet this workload is not balanced by adequate dermatology education for GPs and there is a chronic shortage of dermatologists, the report notes. GPs have little dermatology training and education and there are only 650 consultants to advise them, and provide more specialist care.

Currently there is no compulsory requirement for dermatology training within undergraduate or postgraduate curricula. In some cases, training is less than five days, despite a minimum of two weeks recommended within the 2006 dermatology curricula, distributed to all medical schools.

It is a serious concern that there appears to be an inverse training law in operation in dermatology, whereby in the area which is most routinely seen by GPs, the amount of training is the least, says the The British Association of Dermatologists.

It is important that medical professionals who are treating psoriasis are adequately trained and offer a full service (including the exploration of how each patients condition is affecting both their mental and physical health, and the regular review of the effectiveness of treatments) if they are to contribute towards their patients successful management of their conditions.

A survey conducted as part of the PSO What? initiative also reveals that GPs admit to lacking in knowledge and understanding regarding the effective management of the condition which, it warns, is particularly concerning given people with psoriasis are also at risk of developing other serious associated conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, complications with vision and some cancers.

This new report shines a light on the shortcomings of dermatological training and staffing, which inevitably give rise to sub-optimal psoriasis care. It is essential these issues are addressed if we are to improve patient outcomes, and reduce the burden of the associated comorbidities currently weighing on individuals, health services, the economy, and society as a whole, said Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association.

Dr Anthony Bewley, consultant dermatologist at Whipps Cross and St Barts NHS Trust, said it is essential that the current lack of training and formal assessment of practical dermatology skills is addressed.

Beyond that, we, as healthcare professionals, need to move away from the misconception that psoriasis is just a skin condition, and look for the best possible whole-person care for each individual. The unfortunate truth is that past failings have seen some patients simply slip through the net. The PSO What? report signals a sea-change, encouraging patients to demand more from their doctors, and to make sure that medical professionals do not undermine their experience of living with psoriasis.

Go here to see the original:
UK GPs lacking in psoriasis training, warns report - PharmaTimes

AURORA, Colo. Individuals with skin diseases may be able to find relief with the use of non-psychotropic topical cannabinoids. A new study finds that the cannabis-based creamsmay be helpful in treating a wide range of skin illness, including psoriasis, eczema, atopic and contact dermatitis, inflammatory skin disease, and skin cancer.

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reviewed the current literature on treating skin disease with topical cannabinoids and concluded that cannabinoids anti-inflammatory properties may help to reduce patients dry skin and itching.

In one of the studies included, eight out of 21 patients using a cannabinoid cream on their skin twice daily for three weeks experienced the complete elimination of pruritus (severe itching).

Perhaps the most promising role for cannabinoids is in the treatment of itch, the studys senior author Dr. Robert Dellavalle, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, says in a press release. These are topical cannabinoid drugs with little or no psychotropic effect that can be used for skin disease.

LIKE STUDIES? FOLLOW STUDYFINDS.ORG ON FACEBOOK!

The study abstract explains that 28 U.S. states run comprehensive medical cannabis programs and that almost one in 10 adult users have medical reasons for cannabis use. Cannabis is also currently being studied for the treatment of nausea, spasticity, chronic pain, anorexia and other ailments. Dellavalle stated that THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active ingredient in marijuana, has reduced swelling, inflammation and even tumor growth in mice. Large-scale clinical trials have not yet occurred.

These diseases cause a lot of problems for people and have a direct impact on their quality of life, Dellavalle says of treating skin ailments with cannabinoids. The treatments are currently being bought over the internet and we need to educate dermatologists and patients about the potential uses of them.

These findings were published in The role of cannabinoids in dermatology in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Go here to read the rest:
Cannabinoids May Soothe Eczema, Psoriasis, Other Skin Diseases, Study Finds - Study Finds

HARROW, England, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

"Research shows that far from being just a skin disease, psoriasis ruins lives- and has the potential to shorten them too."Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association

Today, Wednesday 3 May 2017, the Patients Association, in partnership with LEO Pharma, released a new report highlighting the debilitating effect psoriasis can have on up to two million people battling the condition in the UK[8] and Ireland[9]. Despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognising psoriasis as an area of focus,[10] and recent advancement in treatments, the PSO What? Report underscores the need for improvement in the health and experiences of people living with psoriasis.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/507020/Katherine_Murphy_The_Patients_Association.jpg )

The PSO What? report, led by the Patients Association in collaboration with the expert PSO What? Taskforce, which brought together patients, healthcare professionals and charities, reinforces that far from being 'just a skin condition', psoriasis is a serious, sometimes lifelong condition impacting emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as physical health[10]. "This new report highlights the need to take action now to address the significant burden psoriasis places on individuals with psoriasis, and inspire those who may have previously given up to take control of their condition, as well as raise the priority of psoriasis care in the health service", said Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association. "Weare therefore asking people to pledge their personal and practical support to drive real change by visitinghttp://www.PSO-What.com."

She added: "A third of people with psoriasis we surveyed do not regularly visit their GP each yearand contrasting healthcare guidelines mean that doctors have no clear direction for when exactly to ask their psoriasis patients back into the consulting room.We are therefore using this report to ask that every individual with psoriasis has the opportunity to discuss their carewithahealthcare practitioner,andundergo screening for associated conditionsatregular reviews, at leastonce a year. "

Alongside the personal toll of psoriasis, figures show the disease places a heavy burden on the health service - with nearly a quarter of the population having sought a GP consultation on skin matters in England and Wales; up to 5% on psoriasis alone.[5],[6] Despite this, some GPs in the UK have only received five days of undergraduate dermatological training.[7] Inevitably, there is a risk that these practitioners may not be afforded the depth of knowledge required to treat psoriasis specifically. The problem is exacerbated due to the lack of consultants to support GPs, with only 650 dermatologists to provide more specialist care.[6] This is particularly concerning given that people with psoriasis are at risk of developing other serious associated conditions,[10] including psoriatic arthritis,[10] cardiovascular disease,[4],[11],[12],[13] inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)[10], liver disease[10], complications with vision[14] and some cancers.[3],[15]

The survey conducted as part of the PSO What? initiative also reveals that the condition negatively affects the quality of life of 93% of the people surveyed and that less than half (45%) feel well supported by their doctor.[1]Jacqueline McCallum from Hertfordshire was diagnosed with psoriasis over 30 years ago: "Psoriasis is a horrible disease to live with on a daily basis. In the past it has made me depressed and affected my self-esteem, which has limited my personal and professional life. However, I've regularly struggled to even get a GP appointment to discuss my psoriasis because the receptionists do not think it is a serious enough condition, and do not understand the significant impact it has on my wider health and wellbeing. They see my psoriasis plaques, but not me."

Dr Angelika Razzaque, GPwSI Dermatology and Vice Chair of the Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS), comments: "The onus is onthe GP community to continually review how we're treating the psoriasis itself, and to look beyond the skin to screen for associated complications such as depression, cardiovascular disease anddiabetes. Regularreviews, at least annually,can safeguard against further psoriasis complications.Psoriasis affects everyone differently, but people can live full and happy lives providing theyregularlysee their doctor, and medical professionals are adequately trained to offeran effective and personalised approach to treatment. My advice to patients is not to give up, there is always a way to get help."

Dr Anthony Bewley, Consultant Dermatologist at Whipps Cross and St Bart's NHS Trust comments, "We, as healthcare professionals need to move far away from the misconception that psoriasis is'just a skincondition'.ThePSO What?Taskforceinvites patients to demand more from their health care professionals, to be more empowered, and to make sure that healthcare professionals do not undermine the experience of living with psoriasis. There needs to be a true dialogue between a patient and their doctor in order to achieve the best outcomes for them individually; each person has different needs, experiences and expectations of what they want in order to live well.'

The cost of psoriasis to the UK economy is substantial, coming in at over 1.07 billion in lost productivity alone, while figures show that just a 10% reduction in sickness absence due to psoriasis, would deliver a 50 million boost.[16] Dr Angelika Razzaque continues: "By'treating to prevent', we're reducing the risk of life-limiting complications for the patient, helping to tackle sickness absence in the workplace, and reducing the potential burden on the health system later down the line."

PSO What? will you do differently? To find out more visit the PSO What? website (http://www.PSO-What.com) and pledge to do one thing differently to help make a difference for the nearly 2 million people living with psoriasis in the UK[8] and Ireland.[9]

Notes totheeditor

About the PSO What? Initiative

The PSO What? initiative is a partnership programme led by The Patients Association and LEO Pharma, in collaboration with the expert PSO What? Taskforce. LEO Pharma has provided core funding, editorial input and undertaken survey-based research to support the development of the PSO What? Report.

The PSO What? Taskforce is a multidisciplinary group representing people living with psoriasis, psoriasis advocacy and professional groups, and healthcare professionals. A full list of Taskforce members can be found in the report.

The Taskforce met in 2016 to discuss the challenges currently facing people living with psoriasis as well as those who care and commission services for them, including key themes and issues around which change could be effected for the benefit of people living with the condition. The pledge of each member of the Taskforce is to continue to have a voice and drive positive change for psoriasis and develop resources and programmes to facilitate this.

As part of the PSO What? initiative a survey was conducted amongst psoriasis sufferers and healthcare professionals in the UK and Ireland. The survey results and further desk research helped inform some of the key findings of the PSO What? Report. These include:

Psychological impact of psoriasis

Standards of care

Impact on employment

To read the full Report visit the PSO What? website: http://www.PSO-What.com

References

1. Data on file. LEO Pharma. DERM-004 MAR 2017

2. NHS Choices. Psoriatic Arthritis Overview. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/Pages/Introduction.aspx.Last accessed April 2017

3. Pouplard C, Brenaut E, Horreau C, et al. Risk of cancer in psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. JEADV. 2013;27(Suppl 3):36-46.

4. Gelfand JM, Niemann AL, Shin DB, et al. Risk of myocardial infarction in patients with psoriasis. JAMA. 2016;296:1735-41

5. King's Fund. How can dermatology services meet current and future patient needs while ensuring that quality of care is not compromised and that access is equitable across the UK? Source report, 7 March 2014.

6. Schofield JK, Grindlay D, Williams HC. Skin conditions in the UK: a health needs assessment. 2009. Centre for Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham.

7. Primary Care Commissioning. Quality standards for dermatology. Providing the right care for people with skin conditions. July 2011. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?itemtype=document&id=795

8. Mental Health Foundation, Psoriasis Association. See psoriasis: look deeper. Recognising the life impact of psoriasis. 2012.

9. Irish Skin Foundation. Securing the future for people with skin disease. Submission to Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare (Dil ireann). August 2016.

10. World Health Organization. Global report on psoriasis. 2016. World Health Organization. Available at: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204417/1/9789241565189_eng.pdf. Last accessed January 2017.

11. Ahlehoff O, Gislason GH, Jorgensen CH, et al. Psoriasis and risk of atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke: a Danish nationwide cohort study. Eur Heart J. 2012;33:2054-64.

12. Lowes MA, Suarez-Farinas M, Kreuger JG. Immunology of psoriasis. Ann Rev Immunol. 2014;32:227-35.

13. Langan SM, Seminara NM, Shin DB, et al. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: a population-based study in the United Kingdom. J Invest Dermatol.

14. Fraga NA, Oliveira MF, Follador I, et al. Psoriasis and uveitis: a literature review. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:877-83.

15. Lebwohl M. Psoriasis. Lancet. 2003;361:1197-204.

16. Bajorek Z, Hind A, Bevan S. The impact of long term conditions on employment and the wider UK economy. 2016.

17. Kurd SK, TROXE B, Crits-Christoph P, Gelfand JM. The risk of depression, anxiety and suicidality in patients with psoriasis: a population-based cohort study. Ann Dermatol. 2019;146:891-5

18. Gupta MA, Schork NJ, Gupta AK. Suicidal ideation in psoriasis. Int J Dermatol. 1993;32:188-90.

19. Changing Faces. Report highlights stigma faced by psoriasis patients. Available at: https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/report-highlights-stigma-faced-psoriasis-patients. Last accessed March 2017

See the original post here:
The Patients Association: New Report Highlights True Personal and Public Cost of Psoriasis, and Spotlights Variation ... - Markets Insider

HARROW, England, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

"Research shows that far from being just a skin disease, psoriasis ruins lives - and has the potential to shorten them too." Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association

Today, Wednesday 3 May 2017, the Patients Association, in partnership with LEO Pharma, released a new report highlighting the debilitating effect psoriasis can have on up to two million people battling the condition in the UK[8] and Ireland[9]. Despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognising psoriasis as an area of focus,[10] and recent advancement in treatments, the PSO What? Report underscores the need for improvement in the health and experiences of people living with psoriasis.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/507020/Katherine_Murphy_The_Patients_Association.jpg )

The PSO What? report, led by the Patients Association in collaboration with the expert PSO What? Taskforce, which brought together patients, healthcare professionals and charities, reinforces that far from being 'just a skin condition', psoriasis is a serious, sometimes lifelong condition impacting emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as physical health[10]. "This new report highlights the need to take action now to address the significant burden psoriasis places on individuals with psoriasis, and inspire those who may have previously given up to take control of their condition, as well as raise the priority of psoriasis care in the health service", said Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association. "We are therefore asking people to pledge their personal and practical support to drive real change by visiting http://www.PSO-What.com."

She added: "A third of people with psoriasis we surveyed do not regularly visit their GP each year and contrasting healthcare guidelines mean that doctors have no clear direction for when exactly to ask their psoriasis patients back into the consulting room. We are therefore using this report to ask that every individual with psoriasis has the opportunity to discuss their care with a healthcare practitioner, and undergo screening for associated conditions at regular reviews, at least once a year. "

Alongside the personal toll of psoriasis, figures show the disease places a heavy burden on the health service - with nearly a quarter of the population having sought a GP consultation on skin matters in England and Wales; up to 5% on psoriasis alone.[5],[6] Despite this, some GPs in the UK have only received five days of undergraduate dermatological training.[7] Inevitably, there is a risk that these practitioners may not be afforded the depth of knowledge required to treat psoriasis specifically. The problem is exacerbated due to the lack of consultants to support GPs, with only 650 dermatologists to provide more specialist care.[6] This is particularly concerning given that people with psoriasis are at risk of developing other serious associated conditions,[10] including psoriatic arthritis,[10] cardiovascular disease,[4],[11],[12],[13] inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)[10], liver disease[10], complications with vision[14] and some cancers.[3],[15]

The survey conducted as part of the PSO What? initiative also reveals that the condition negatively affects the quality of life of 93% of the people surveyed and that less than half (45%) feel well supported by their doctor.[1] Jacqueline McCallum from Hertfordshire was diagnosed with psoriasis over 30 years ago: "Psoriasis is a horrible disease to live with on a daily basis. In the past it has made me depressed and affected my self-esteem, which has limited my personal and professional life. However, I've regularly struggled to even get a GP appointment to discuss my psoriasis because the receptionists do not think it is a serious enough condition, and do not understand the significant impact it has on my wider health and wellbeing. They see my psoriasis plaques, but not me."

Dr Angelika Razzaque, GPwSI Dermatology and Vice Chair of the Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS), comments: "The onus is on the GP community to continually review how we're treating the psoriasis itself, and to look beyond the skin to screen for associated complications such as depression, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Regular reviews, at least annually, can safeguard against further psoriasis complications. Psoriasis affects everyone differently, but people can live full and happy lives providing they regularly see their doctor, and medical professionals are adequately trained to offer an effective and personalised approach to treatment. My advice to patients is not to give up, there is always a way to get help."

Read More

Dr Anthony Bewley, Consultant Dermatologist at Whipps Cross and St Bart's NHS Trust comments, "We, as healthcare professionals need to move far away from the misconception that psoriasis is 'just a skin condition'. The PSO What? Taskforce invites patients to demand more from their health care professionals, to be more empowered, and to make sure that healthcare professionals do not undermine the experience of living with psoriasis. There needs to be a true dialogue between a patient and their doctor in order to achieve the best outcomes for them individually; each person has different needs, experiences and expectations of what they want in order to live well.'

The cost of psoriasis to the UK economy is substantial, coming in at over 1.07 billion in lost productivity alone, while figures show that just a 10% reduction in sickness absence due to psoriasis, would deliver a 50 million boost.[16] Dr Angelika Razzaque continues: "By 'treating to prevent', we're reducing the risk of life-limiting complications for the patient, helping to tackle sickness absence in the workplace, and reducing the potential burden on the health system later down the line."

PSO What? will you do differently? To find out more visit the PSO What? website (http://www.PSO-What.com) and pledge to do one thing differently to help make a difference for the nearly 2 million people living with psoriasis in the UK[8] and Ireland.[9]

Notes to the editor

About the PSO What? Initiative

The PSO What? initiative is a partnership programme led by The Patients Association and LEO Pharma, in collaboration with the expert PSO What? Taskforce. LEO Pharma has provided core funding, editorial input and undertaken survey-based research to support the development of the PSO What? Report.

The PSO What? Taskforce is a multidisciplinary group representing people living with psoriasis, psoriasis advocacy and professional groups, and healthcare professionals. A full list of Taskforce members can be found in the report.

The Taskforce met in 2016 to discuss the challenges currently facing people living with psoriasis as well as those who care and commission services for them, including key themes and issues around which change could be effected for the benefit of people living with the condition. The pledge of each member of the Taskforce is to continue to have a voice and drive positive change for psoriasis and develop resources and programmes to facilitate this.

As part of the PSO What? initiative a survey was conducted amongst psoriasis sufferers and healthcare professionals in the UK and Ireland. The survey results and further desk research helped inform some of the key findings of the PSO What? Report. These include:

Psychological impact of psoriasis

Standards of care

Impact on employment

To read the full Report visit the PSO What? website: http://www.PSO-What.com

References

1. Data on file. LEO Pharma. DERM-004 MAR 2017

2. NHS Choices. Psoriatic Arthritis Overview. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/Pages/Introduction.aspx.Last accessed April 2017

3. Pouplard C, Brenaut E, Horreau C, et al. Risk of cancer in psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. JEADV. 2013;27(Suppl 3):36-46.

4. Gelfand JM, Niemann AL, Shin DB, et al. Risk of myocardial infarction in patients with psoriasis. JAMA. 2016;296:1735-41

5. King's Fund. How can dermatology services meet current and future patient needs while ensuring that quality of care is not compromised and that access is equitable across the UK? Source report, 7 March 2014.

6. Schofield JK, Grindlay D, Williams HC. Skin conditions in the UK: a health needs assessment. 2009. Centre for Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham.

7. Primary Care Commissioning. Quality standards for dermatology. Providing the right care for people with skin conditions. July 2011. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?itemtype=document&id=795

8. Mental Health Foundation, Psoriasis Association. See psoriasis: look deeper. Recognising the life impact of psoriasis. 2012.

9. Irish Skin Foundation. Securing the future for people with skin disease. Submission to Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare (Dil ireann). August 2016.

10. World Health Organization. Global report on psoriasis. 2016. World Health Organization. Available at: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204417/1/9789241565189_eng.pdf. Last accessed January 2017.

11. Ahlehoff O, Gislason GH, Jorgensen CH, et al. Psoriasis and risk of atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke: a Danish nationwide cohort study. Eur Heart J. 2012;33:2054-64.

12. Lowes MA, Suarez-Farinas M, Kreuger JG. Immunology of psoriasis. Ann Rev Immunol. 2014;32:227-35.

13. Langan SM, Seminara NM, Shin DB, et al. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: a population-based study in the United Kingdom. J Invest Dermatol.

14. Fraga NA, Oliveira MF, Follador I, et al. Psoriasis and uveitis: a literature review. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:877-83.

15. Lebwohl M. Psoriasis. Lancet. 2003;361:1197-204.

16. Bajorek Z, Hind A, Bevan S. The impact of long term conditions on employment and the wider UK economy. 2016.

17. Kurd SK, TROXE B, Crits-Christoph P, Gelfand JM. The risk of depression, anxiety and suicidality in patients with psoriasis: a population-based cohort study. Ann Dermatol. 2019;146:891-5

18. Gupta MA, Schork NJ, Gupta AK. Suicidal ideation in psoriasis. Int J Dermatol. 1993;32:188-90.

19. Changing Faces. Report highlights stigma faced by psoriasis patients. Available at: https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/report-highlights-stigma-faced-psoriasis-patients. Last accessed March 2017

View original post here:
The Patients Association: New Report Highlights True Personal and Public Cost of Psoriasis, and Spotlights Variation ... - Yahoo Finance

Patients with plaque psoriasis should be able to get routine access to Eli Lillys Taltz on the NHS within the next three months if they meet certain eligibility criteria.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has now published final guidelines backing use of the drug but only if the disease is severe, as defined by a total Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of 10 or more and a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) of more than 10, and has not responded to standard systemic therapies or patients cant take them.

Also, the Institute has stressed that access to the drug on the NHS is dependent on the continued provision of the drug at the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.

Taltz is an antibody specifically designed to target the cytokine interleukin IL-17A, a protein that plays a role in driving underlying inflammation in psoriasis.

Its European approval back in April came on the back of data from seven clinical trials, including three pivotal double-blinded multi-centre Phase III studies (UNCOVER), which involved more than 3,800 psoriasis patients from 21 countries.

According to the data, for patients treated with the monoclonal antibody either every four weeks or every two weeks, between 78 percent and 90 percent achieved at least a 75% reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score at 12 weeks.

Around 20,000 people in the UK would be eligible for treatment with the drug, according to data submitted by the company.

Excerpt from:
NICE green light for Lilly's psoriasis drug - PharmaTimes - PharmaTimes

Weve come back to Kadmon Holdings Inc (NYSE:KDMN) on a couple of occasions over the couple of months. When we first looked at the company, mid March, it was trading in and around the $3.9 mark. It entered our radar because it looked as though a whos who of the biotech capital space was taking a positing in the company. Dan Loeb (through Third Point), Joseph Edelmen (through Perceptive), Steve Cohen (through Point72) and Edward Mule (through Silver Point) all have a stake, and we thought it was unusual that a company of this size, and at this end of the sector, with no approved asset, was garnering such big name attention.

Well, that, and the fact that despite these big names, wider markets and retail investors didnt seem to care about Kadmon.

Since our first highlighting of the company, its dipped to current levels at $2.70 a piece. Thats a 30% depreciation in no more than six weeks yet theres nothing notably attributable to the decline on the companys feed.

With this noted, then, we are looking at the decline as an opportunity to load up at a discount ahead of a shift towards the upside. A number of 2017 catalysts have the potential to catalyze this shift, and as weve noted in the past, its these catalysts that we think have driven the above mentioned bug names to take a position ahead of their release.

Were not going to go into the catalysts one by one here, as we did that last time. Readers looking to catch up can check out what were looking at here.

What we are going to do, however, is take a look at one of them (a psoriasis trial completion) and see how it plays into the future of the program.

So, the drug is called KD025, and its one of two assets that Kadmon is pushing through a host of development programs in various indications. As noted, this one is a psoriasis program, and the company has (or at least, had) two phase II studies set up to look at the drugs safety and efficacy. The first was a relatively small open label study, and this one wrapped up at the beginning of this month. On April 12, management put out a release detailing the outcome of the study, and things look promising. Specifically, the data showed a reduction in whats called IL-17, and a parallel upregulation in whats called IL-10, and was able to show that these up/down regulations respectively correlate with an improvement in clinical scores in psoriasis patients.

Thats a big deal it serves as proof of concept for the drug in a patient population that includes some 8 million Americans, many of which are unhappy or unsatisfied with their current standard of care treatments.

So what does this mean going forward?

Well, as weve said, there are two trials for this one. The second is a much larger placebo controlled trial, and if Kadmon is going to move the drug into a pivotal, its this study thats going to facilitate said move. This ones ongoing, and we should get a readout at some point during the fourth quarter of 2017. The importance of this one is that it will show a comparable clinical benefit (between placebo and active), as opposed to just a biomarker correlative type benefit (which is what the IL reduction/upregulation has demonstrated). This doesnt take away from the most recent results, but its an important disparity in these sorts of immune regulation type approaches.

With the programs fully funded through the end of this year and likely into early next, theres plenty of room for PPS appreciation before Kadmon has to raise, so near term dilution risk is essentially removed.

Keep in mind that weve focused on psoriasis here, but this is only one of the multiple shots on goal Kadmon has this year. As the other programs start to read out, well update our analysis.

We will be updating our subscribers as soon as we know more. For the latest updates on KDMN, sign up below!

Disclosure: We have no position in KDMN and have not been compensated for this article.

Go here to read the rest:
Kadmon Holdings Inc (NYSE:KDMN) Just Scored Some Positive Psoriasis Data - Insider Financial

Tiana Kazemi,1 Benjamin Farahnik,2 John Koo,3 Kourosh Beroukhim1

1University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 2University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, 3University of California San Francisco, Department of Dermatology, Psoriasisand Skin Treatment Center, San Francisco, CA, USA

Background: Recent studies into the pathogenesis of psoriasis have identified the importance of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in disease activity and have thus provided a new target for biologic therapy. Ixekizumab, the most recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-IL-17 biologic agent, appears to be a promising medication for patients suffering from moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Methods: We reviewed the results of phase III trials for ixekizumab in order to assess the efficacy, safety, and impact on quality of life of this agent in the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Additionally, we compared these results to phase II and phase III trials for other biologic psoriasis medications including the anti-IL-23 agents tildrakizumab and guselkumab, the combined anti-IL-12 and anti-IL-23 agent ustekinumab, and the anti-IL-17 agents brodalumab and secukinumab. Results: Pooled results from individual studies demonstrate that among the most efficacious dosing regimens of these anti-interleukin therapies, ixekizumab achieves higher Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 rates and similar or higher static Physician Global Assessment 0-1 rates than the other anti-IL-17 and anti-IL-23 agents. The safety profile of ixekizumab is similar to these agents, with nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory infection, headache, arthralgia, and injection-site erythema as the most commonly reported adverse events. Conclusion: Ixekizumab is a highly efficacious, newly FDA-approved treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis that demonstrates a robust clinical response, significant improvement in patient quality of life, and a favorable safety profile.

Keywords: biologic medication, IL-17, IL-23, IL-12, psoriasis, ixekizumab

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

See the original post:
Emerging targeted therapies for plaque psoriasis impact of ixekizumab - Dove Medical Press

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International VRX, -4.17% said early Friday that the company's new plaque psoriasis drug Siliq will cost $3,500 a month. Siliq, an injectable drug that Valeant got the rights for from AstraZeneca AZN, -0.47% is intended for patients with moderate-to-severe iterations of the chronic skin condition, who haven't responded to other medications. Valeant said the $3,500 price tag was "the lowest injectable biologic psoriasis treatment currently on the market" and was evaluated and approved by its Patient Access and Pricing Committee, which was created in May 2016 after a series of scandals, including one about drug pricing, rocked the company. Valeant expects to start selling and marketing Siliq starting in the second half of this year. Siliq's label will contain a "black box warning" about risks for patients with a history of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Valeant shares, which slumped 0.5% in premarket trade on Friday, have dropped 39.7% over the last three months, compared with a 3.7% rise in the S&P 500 SPX, -0.30%

Read more from the original source:
Valeant says its plaque psoriasis drug will cost $3500 a month - MarketWatch

Hellen Wangui ,28 years with a skin condition called Psoriasis she has been having for 13years.19th APRIL 2017 PHOTO DAVID GICHURU

She basked in her rosy glow during pregnancy and wished it could last forever. However, after the birth of her son, a skin condition she has battled since 2008 was back with a vengeance.

Hellen Wangui Gathere, 28, is suffering frompsoriasis, a condition that makes her skin appear dry, scaly and flaky on the legs, hands and back.

The Advocate of the High Court of Kenya is a member of thePsoriasisAssociation of Kenya that seeks to create awareness, champion for improved medical care and research on the disease.

"I choose to speak aboutpsoriasisbecause it is often misunderstood and persons with the condition stigmatised or prevented from participating in social activities," said the mother of a nine-month old boy.

Individuals with the condition are prone to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, heart attack, stroke and liver disease among other lifestyle diseases.

Psoriasisis not contagious, however, if not properly managed, it can lead to heart complications like hardening and narrowing of artery walls, diabetes and arthritis.

These underlying complications worried Wangui when she was pregnant with her first child last year.

Its an unpredictable scenario when a person withpsoriasisis pregnant because it can either improve, worsen or remain unchanged.

Luckily, pregnancy favoured Wangui, the condition was suppressed leaving a flawless youthful skin.

My skin took a different turn.Psoriasisdisappeared leaving me with an even-toned skin. It felt great to have smooth skin that I could rub without the dry and scaly feel, said Wangui in an interview with Saturday Standard.

On the advice of her dermatologist, she discontinued the oral medicines and ointments that had become a daily routine before pregnancy.

For a while, I forgot aboutpsoriasisand concentrated on my pregnancy that was also trouble-free, she added.

But after delivery,psoriasiswas back and she had to start a regime of oral medicines, ointments and phototherapy.

It is not all gloomy because I know how to take care of my skin to prevent flares. I am more concerned about a young lady or man too embarrassed to admit that they have psoriaisis and take an extra step to seek medical assistance, said Wangui.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describespsoriasisas a chronic, painful, disfiguring, disabling and incurable disease.

Consultant skin specialist Hoseah Waweru describespsoriasisas a build up of new cells in the top layer of the skin, forming a scaly-like appearance.

These skin cells grow faster than your body can shed them off leaving thick red patches, says Dr Waweru. In 2014, he was part of a delegation to the 67th World Health Assembly urging the member states to recognisepsoriasisas a serious non communicable disease.

The resolution was adopted as World Health Assembly resolution WHA67.9 and it highlighted that many people in the world suffer needlessly frompsoriasisdue to incorrect or delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment options and insufficient access to care, and because of social stigmatisation.

Though there are various types ofpsoriasis, Dr Waweru estimates that about one in every two persons have a type known as scalppsoriasiswhich has a silvery and powdery appearance, but very different from dandruff.

What causes this skin condition?

Though the causes of the condition remain largely unknown, it can be provoked by external and internal triggers, including mild trauma, sunburn, infections, medicines and stress.

Dr Evanson Kamuri, a dermatologist, said that the condition most likely runs in families. However, he advice's one to consult a skin specialist on medicines, both topical and oral, that are best suited for use during pregnancy.

Phototherapy, also known as light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to help treatpsoriasis.

Wangui said this method is effective but expensive. I need two phototherapy sessions twice a week at Sh3,000 each besides oral medicines that cost Sh36,000 per month, she said.

Continue reading here:
'It is not all gloomy if you've psoriasis' - The Standard (press release)

CBS Pittsburgh / KDKA

New Treatment Takes Targeted Approach To Psoriasis CBS Pittsburgh / KDKA PITTSBURGH (KDKA) There's a new treatment that's really targeting the cause of psoriasis. For many people, it's clearing up their skin completely. The patchy, flaky, red and scaly rash of psoriasis. This autoimmune disease comes with arthritis, too.

See the original post here:
New Treatment Takes Targeted Approach To Psoriasis - CBS Pittsburgh / KDKA