New Psoriasis treatment via cream
People suffering from severe psoriasis may soon find symptom relief without injections, after a cream-based treatment being developed by Sydney biotechnology company Apollo Life Sciences outperformed current market-leading drugs in pre-clinical studies. The formula is proceeding to Phase 2 clinical trials.
Apollo has developed the formula using a protein known as a Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocker, which reduces inflammation and is used to treat psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases, via a cream rather than the current method of injections.
The comparative tests found Apollo’s product is at least as effective as market leaders Enbrel, Humira and Remicade, which dominate a global TNF blocker market estimated to be worth around US$8.5 billion, with a growth rate over 30% pa.
The TNF blockers currently on the market can have quite severe side effects, from serious infections and bruising to seizures and a higher risk of cancer. The new TNF blocker is based on human proteins, hopefully with fewer side effects.
The transdermal formula will also reduce side effects by delivering the drug directly where it is needed, rather than travelling through the whole body as with injected versions.
