EU marketing authorisation for ixekizumab for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis granted

Eli Lilly and Company has announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation (MA) for Taltz^® (ixekizumab), alone or in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to, one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapies.^1,2,3

“Psoriatic arthritis is a common inflammatory arthritis that causes serious joint pain and swelling. This makes even simple daily activities hard to do. New effective treatments which make lives better are very welcome” said Professor Bruce Kirkham, Consultant Rheumatologist, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London.

“PsA affects up to 30% of people who are already living with psoriasis”,⁴ said Arash Tahbaz, Senior Medical Director, Eli Lilly and Company UK and Northern Europe. “Symptoms often begin around a decade after the onset of psoriasis, and can severely impact people’s lives and ability to work.⁴ We are proud to be able to offer a new treatment option that addresses both the joint and skin symptoms of PsA.”

Ixekizumab is a monoclonal antibody that selectively binds with interleukin 17A (IL-17A) cytokine and inhibits its interaction with the IL-17 receptor. This is the second approved indication for ixekizumab in the EU. Ixekizumab was authorised for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy in Europe in April 2016.⁵

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