Proved effects as fast, sustained, and stable... also convenient
“When considering the effects, convenience, and safety, the answer is Skyrizi.”
AbbVie Korea (CEO Kang So-Young) showed pride in Skyrizi (risankizymab), an interleukin (IL) inhibitor-based psoriasis treatment that is being released for the fifth time in South Korea.
Although the Skyrizi entered the market late compared to other dominating drugs, AbbVie is confident that it is competitive enough than others due to its fast, strong, and stability potencies.
AbbVie considers the Skyrizi, the fifth IL inhibitor, to be released as a psoriasis treatment, as the best medicine beyond any previous ones.
AbbVie held an online press conference to commemorate the Skyrizi’s coverage determination. Prior to this, the Ministry of Health & Welfare has registered Skyrizi on the health insurance coverage list since on the 1st of June and applied the coverage benefits to moderate psoriasis treatment.
Skyrizi showed outstanding effectiveness and safety compared to existing treatments in four clinical trials (UltlMMa-1, UltlMMa-2, IMMvent, and IMMhance) on which coverage decisions were based. It proved its superiority in both the ULtlMMa-1 and UltlMMa-2 studies compared to the IL 12/23 inhibitor Ustekinumab (product name as Stelara, Janssen), and the IMMance and IMMvent studies compared to the TNF-α inhibitor Adalimumab (product name as Humira, AbbVie).
Besides, according to the results of meta-analysis including the existing biological medicines, Skyrizi excels in clinical (3-4 months later PASI 90) and safe (interruption rate due to side effects within 3-4 months) aspects among the 11 biological medicines used to treat psoriasis on a dose of four times a year (after the initial two doses).
In this regard, Yoon Sang-Woong, a professor of dermatology at Seoul National University Hospital, explained, “Skyrizi’s clinical data are summarized into four keywords, ▲ strong skin improvement effects ▲ quick effects ▲continuous effects ▲ stable effects,” and said, “The current clinical data is much better and more stable than previous drugs.”
In particular, compared with IL-23 inhibitors of the same series, IL-23 is more excellent in coupling and shows a more substantial effect.
He emphasized, “Although it is difficult to treat nails, soles, and scalp, it has a consistent effect regardless of the patient’s characteristics, such as weight, age, and previous treatment experiences. Skyrizi is located at the top (effective and stable) in the meta-analysis of each biological drug that has been shown so far.”
In terms of effect, it was similar to IL-17A inhibitor Ixekizumab (product name as Taltz, Lilly), but SKyrizi was superior in stability and convenience.
However, he presupposed that “a lot of biological drugs are all effective,” and said, “I don’t know how much difference the patient actually feels.”
Nevertheless, he said, “Skyrizi is encouraging to have pleasing data, but it has the advantage of not having see a doctor frequently,” and added, “it has enough effect (even if you don’t see a doctor often), and the best advantage is the cycle of the drug administration over the effects of data.”
Because Skyrizi has a long half-life, the interval between dosing is three months, which is significantly more convenient than other biological medicines with an interval of 1 to 2 months.
Professor Yoon elaborated that, while the effects of IL-17A inhibitors tend to wear off relatively quickly, it is also an advantage that the results of the IL-23 family remain longer.
Meanwhile, AbbVie Korea CEO Kang said, “I look forward to seeing a significant change in the lives of severe psoriasis patients.”
