Janssen reports positive data from Stelara clinical trial

Janssen has reported data from its phase III Psummit trial that demonstrates the benefits of its psoriatic arthritis therapy Stelara.

Results from the study show that patients with active psoriatic arthritis – including those previously treated with one to five tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors – experienced significant improvements in signs and symptoms of the disease when using the drug.

Significantly more patients receiving either Stelara 45 mg or 90 mg achieved at least a 20 percent improvement in signs and symptoms at week 24 than those using a placebo, thus meeting the primary endpoint, while one-year results were also positive.

Lead investigator Dr Christopher Ritchlin, professor of medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, said: "A biologic therapy with a different mechanism of action, like ustekinumab, which has shown benefit in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis in two phase III studies, is exciting for the rheumatology community."

Earlier this week, the company reported positive data from a study of its drug golimumab, showing its benefits in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.