From the June 21, 2002 print edition
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Drugs in progress promise safer psoriasis treatment
Susan L. Thomas
Since the last breakthrough for treating psoriasis occurred with cyclosporine in 1979, several
companies have failed to bring to market safer drugs for treating the immunological disorder.
But that's all changing.
Frost & Sullivan, a research firm
in New York, estimates that two
dozen new psoriasis therapies will
hit the market by 2007, many
targeting patients with moderate to
severe forms of the disease.
Although Xoma Ltd. of Berkeley
and Genentech Inc. in South San
Francisco took a hit in April when
a study showed that their
co-developed psoriasis drug,
Xanelim, failed to meet
compatibility standards, the drug
is still closer to market than most
others. The setback will delay the
companies' filing for market
approval until at least the end of
the year, say some analysts.
Immunex Corp. of Seattle reported in March that mid-stage trials of Enbrel for psoriasis showed
positive results.
Protein Design Labs stopped testing Zenapax in March,
after its experimental psoriasis drug didn't pass muster.
But the company is not giving up: it is testing another
psoriasis drug.
These drugs could start coming onto the market in
2003. And although industry observers say there's room
for several of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical
companies going after the estimated $2 billion market,
the jockeying for market position has just begun.
"I think there's certainly room for several people in the
marketplace," says Dr. Gregory Bell, vice president of
clinical development, inflammation at Abgenix. "There's
tremendous need."
The Fremont company announced in May it is discontinuing clinical development of ABX-IL8 in
psoriasis.
Seven million Americans suffer from psoriasis, and physicians diagnose about 150,000 to 250,000
new cases a year. The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown.
What scientists do know is that excess T-cells cause an overproduction of skin cells. In normal skin,
it takes 28 days for skin cells to be produced and pushed to the outer layer. But for those with
psoriasis, it takes only five days.
Yet the rate that skin cells die and slough off remains constant. That's what causes the itchy, raised
plaques and scales that, in severe cases, can cover 10 percent or more of the body.
None of the drugs cures the lifelong disease. Instead, they aim to control it, and keep it in remission
for longer periods of time.
Dr. Marvin Garovoy, vice president of clinical and medical affairs at Xoma, says the drugs on the
market actually work better than treatments that will soon come onto the market. Yet the new drugs
are much safer.
"The benefit is that you can go through all the potential therapies and be safer," he says. "None of
these drugs work on everybody."
Morningstar stock analyst Jill Kiersky says these new drugs can coexist well. "I think once some of
these drugs hit the market, the market could expand."
But for all the hope that therapies could bring to psoriasis patients and corporate revenue -- even if it
is years down the road in many cases -- mounting competition will likely weed some biotechs from
the mix.
"If a drug fails in phase II or III, I would think companies would step back and reassess whether or
not moving forward would have a positive net present value," says Ms. Kiersky.
SUSAN L. THOMAS is a staff writer for the East Bay Business Times, a sister publication.
Copyright 2002 American City Business Journals Inc.
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