Risankizumab

Johnson & Johnson filed two sBLAs for Tremfya, seeking expanded use in pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and active juvenile psoriatic arthritis. Tremfya, an IL-23 inhibitor, is already approved for adult patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The filings are based on phase III studies and PK data. Tremfya sales grew 21.6% year-over-year to $2.7 billion in the first nine months of 2024. J&J expects Tremfya to reach $5 billion with approvals for inflammatory bowel disease conditions.

AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), Realty Income (NYSE: O), and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) are recommended for long-term passive income due to their consistent dividend growth and strong financial positions.

Skyrizi surpassed Humira as AbbVie's top seller, amid calls for PBM transparency and biosimilar access reforms. Celltrion aims to commercialize 22 biosimilars by 2030. Global Biosimilars Week focused on improving biosimilar affordability and equity, addressing barriers like patent systems, payer policies, and interchangeability.

J&J Innovation Medicine seeks FDA approval for Tremfya's subcutaneous injection initiation in ulcerative colitis, based on Phase III ASTRO study findings. If approved, it would be the first IL-23 inhibitor offering both SC and IV induction options, potentially enhancing treatment accessibility and convenience.

Top pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Merck, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, GSK, AbbVie, and Bayer lead in innovation, focusing on areas such as mRNA vaccines, cancer treatments, immunology, and gene therapy, shaping the future of healthcare through R&D investments and strategic pivots.

Johnson & Johnson's experimental pill, icotrokinra, developed with Protagonist Therapeutics, showed significant skin clearance in 66% of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients after four months in a Phase 3 trial. The drug aims to match injectable treatments' effectiveness with oral convenience, targeting the IL-23 receptor. While efficacy appears comparable to Stelara and potentially superior to Sotyktu and Otezla, it may not replace Skyrizi and Tremfya due to lower effectiveness. J&J plans to submit approval applications with detailed results from the ICONIC-LEAD and ICONIC-TOTAL studies.

Johnson & Johnson's once-daily oral IL-23 inhibitor icotrokinra met efficacy objectives in phase 3 ICONIC-LEAD trial for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, with 74.1% achieving clear or almost clear skin at week 24. The drug showed similar safety profiles to placebo and could offer a patient-friendly alternative to injectable biologics. J&J plans to submit data to regulators and compete with Bristol-Myers Squibb's TYK2 inhibitor Sotyktu.

Maryland's Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is set to cap payments for certain high-cost drugs, with a focus on six specific medications. AARP Maryland praised the decision, emphasizing the need for affordability, and urged broader application to all Marylanders.