Surveyed U.S. and EU5 Dermatologists Indicate that Short-Term and Long-Term Effects on Psoriatic Plaque Clearance are Two Attributes that Most Strongly Influence Prescribing Decisions in Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

BURLINGTON, Mass., July 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that, according to surveyed U.S. and EU5 dermatologists, short-term and long-term effects on psoriatic plaque clearance are two of the attributes that most strongly influence their prescribing decisions in moderate to severe psoriasis. Emerging therapies that offer improved effect in these attributes over current therapies would be well received and poised for strong uptake. Based on thought leaders' opinions and clinical trial data, emerging therapies, especially IL-17 inhibitors (Novartis's secukinumab, Amgen/AstraZeneca/Kyowa Hakko Kirin's brodalumab, Eli Lilly's ixekizumab) have potential, owing to their improved efficacy relative to current therapies in improving psoriatic plaques. However, based on currently available data and physicians' opinions, emerging therapies lack the efficacy, safety and tolerability, and/or delivery features that would allow them to offer better overall clinical profiles than that of Janssen's Stelara.

Other key findings from the DecisionBase report entitled Psoriasis (Moderate to Severe): What Are the Key Areas of Opportunity for Differentiation According to Dermatologists and Payers?:

• Key areas of unmet need: Higher sustained long-term response with continuous therapy and greater effect on quality of life are key areas of unmet need for moderate to severe psoriasis therapies, according to the insights of surveyed U.S. and European dermatologists; European clinicians also indicated an unmet need for therapies with lower risk of malignancies.
• Attributes that influence prescribing: Among the safety and tolerability attributes, surveyed U.S. and European dermatologists selected risk of malignancies, risk of serious infections and risk of organ toxicities as the most important for the prescribing decisions.
• Drivers of favorable formulary status: Surveyed U.S. managed care organization pharmacy directors agree that improvements in the rate of serious infections and organ toxicities is the driving force behind their decision on granting an agent favorable formulary status.

Comments from Decision Resources Group Analyst Alexandra Makarova, M.D., Ph.D.:

• "Emerging IL-17 inhibitors have a potential to fulfill some of the efficacy unmet needs highlighted by dermatologists. However, safety and tolerability are very important for the dermatologists' prescribing decisions, and many physicians will likely require several years of postmarketing data before prescribing novel therapies."
• "Although dermatologists indicated relatively high unmet need for agents with more convenient formulation, an improved delivery alone will not be enough for a novel therapy to enjoy a strong uptake. When physicians are prescribing therapies to their moderate to severe psoriasis patients, efficacy and safety considerations usually carry more weight than delivery convenience, and new therapies must demonstrate very strong efficacy and safety data."

About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on critical issues within the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Find out more at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

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For more information, contact:

Decision Resources Group
Christopher Comfort
781-993-2597
[email protected]

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SOURCE Decision Resources Group

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