Celgene reports positive data from psoriasis drug trial

Celgene has reported encouraging clinical trial data from a new study of an innovative new apremilast-based psoriasis therapy.

Data from the phase III Esteem 1 trial showed that the drug delivered significantly improved signs and symptoms of psoriasis across a range of patient types, including systemic treatment-naive and biologic-treatment failure patients.

The drug was able to meet its primary and secondary endpoints in the study, while its safety and tolerability performance was consistent with previous data from phase III psoriatic arthritis trials of the compound.

Dr Kristian Reich of the SCIderm Research Institute and Dermatologikum Hamburg, said: "I see this as a prime candidate for future management of psoriasis that allows us to treat a range of patients, including more moderate cases earlier on."

This comes after Celgene announced further positive data on the drug in January 2013, which will support the company's intentions of filing for regulatory approval of apremilast in the US and Europe during the first half of 2013.