Lilly’s psoriasis therapy ixekizumab recommended for EU approval

Lilly has received a recommendation from Europe's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for the approval of the new drug ixekizumab.

The European Medicines Agency committee has issued a positive opinion for ixekizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.

Ixekizumab is designed to specifically target IL-17A, a protein that plays a key role in driving underlying inflammation in psoriasis. This recommendation was based on findings from the largest phase III trial programme in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis evaluated by regulatory authorities to date.

A final decision on marketing authorisation of the drug is expected to be confirmed within the next two to three months.

Andrew Hotchkiss, president of Lilly's European and Canadian operations, said: "This CHMP positive opinion is a significant milestone in our quest to offer physicians a new treatment option for their patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis."

This comes after the firm received European regulatory approval for Portrazza, its new treatment for advanced lung cancer, earlier this month.