U.S. FDA Approves Lilly’s Ixekizumab for Plaque Psoriasis

(Reuters)—U.S. health regulators said on Tuesday they have approved a drug from Eli Lilly and Co. to treat adults with moderate to severe cases of plaque psoriasis.

The injectable drug known chemically as ixekizumab will be sold under the brand name Taltz, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Taltz works by blocking interleukein-17A, a protein that causes inflammation, which is believed to play a role in development of psoriasis.

In large, late-stage clinical trials, ixekizumab led to significant skin clearing compared with a placebo.

“Today’s approval provides patients suffering from plaque psoriasis with another important treatment option to help relieve the skin irritation and discomfort from the condition,” Julie Beitz, from the FDA’s Office of Drug Evaluation, said in a statement.