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ARTICLE | Clinical News

Actelion's ponesimod meets Phase II psoriasis endpoint

December 19, 2012 2:15 AM UTC

Actelion Ltd. (SIX:ATLN) said induction therapy with once-daily oral ponesimod met the primary endpoint in a Phase II trial to treat moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Low- and high-dose ponesimod led to a greater proportion of patients achieving a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 response at week 16 vs. placebo (46% and 48.1%, respectively, vs. 13.4%, p<0.0001 for both). The double-blind, international Phase II trial enrolled 326 patients.

Actelion said it will discuss plans for its Phase III program of ponesimod to treat psoriasis with regulatory authorities after it completes a full analysis of the Phase II trial. In July, Actelion said it is seeking a partner for ponesimod, a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 ( S1PR1; S1P1; EDG1) agonist. The product has also completed a Phase IIb trial in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). ...