Psoriasis therapeutics market driven by the increasing uptake of biologics

The psoriasis therapeutics market has been forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.06% through 2016, driven by the increasing uptake of biologics, and the increased focus on using combination therapies for treating psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that affects the skin. It is typically a lifelong condition. There is currently no cure, but various treatments can help to control the symptoms.

Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells.

There are a number of different therapeutic options for psoriasis. Typically topical agents are used for mild disease, phototherapy for moderate disease, and systemic agents for severe disease.

In recent years the enhanced understanding of the molecular basis underlying psoriasis has led to the introduction of biological drugs, providing a new effective treatment option for this disease. Biologics aim key steps in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and can be categorised into three main categories: TNF alpha inhibitors, T cell inhibitors, and IL-12/IL-23 inhibitors.

Biologics are manufactured proteins that interrupt the immune process involved in psoriasis. Unlike generalised immunosuppressant therapies such as methotrexate, biologics focus on specific aspects of the immune function leading to psoriasis.

These drugs (interleukin antagonists) are relatively new, and their long-term impact on immune function is unknown, but they have proven effective in treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

When the disease is more severe, topic therapy products such as cream can be used in combination with oral medications or light therapy. For instance, Anthralin is sometimes used in combination with UV light. Light therapy is also used sometimes in combination with medications.

Furhtermore, in Goeckerman therapy UVB treatment and coal tar treatment are used together as it is more effective than single therapy.

Key players currently dominating the psoriasis therapeutics market include Amgen Inc., Pfizer Inc., Janssen Biotech Inc., and Abbvie Inc.

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Psoriasis therapeutics market driven by the increasing uptake of biologics