An experimental biotech drug developed by Johnson & Johnson proved more effective at clearing moderate to severe cases of the skin condition plaque psoriasis than a placebo or Abbvie Inc’s big-selling Humira, according to data from a late stage study presented on Saturday.
The J&J drug, guselkumab, met the trial’s primary goal, demonstrating statistically significant superior efficacy after 16 weeks of treatment and maintaining its advantage through week 48, the company said.
More than 73 percent of patients who received guselkumab experienced near complete skin clearance compared with 2.9 percent those who received a placebo. In the Humira group, nearly 50 percent of patients saw near complete skin clearance.
