NICE, the UK’s drug watchdog for the NHS, has decided that Janssen’s Tremfya (guselkumab) should be used routinely through the health service in the treatment of plaque psoriasis, having judged it an efficient use of financial resources.

The drug is the first biologic to selectively target interleukin (IL)-23, a key factor in the immune inflammatory response in psoriasis patients.

Tremfya was fast-tracked after European approval late last year, which was itself off the back of strong Phase 3 data showing high skin clearance rates: 73.3% and 70% of patients taking the therapy achieved a PASI90 score after 16 weeks across the two trials, compared to 49.7% and 46.88% with Humira. The drug was originally launched in the UK back in November. 43,000 people in England are affected by plaque psoriasis, with many further affected by depression and anxiety as a result of the condition.

"We are delighted that NICE is recommending guselkumab be made available to patients in the UK," said Jennifer Lee, Director of Health Economics, Market Access and Reimbursement (HEMAR) and Advocacy at Janssen. "There remains a need for new treatment options that improve long-term outcomes. Patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis may now benefit from this new treatment option."

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