Effective Sept. 1, the brand name drug Stelara will no longer be covered on the UnitedHealthcare commercial plan prescription drug list.

FDA Approves Ustekinumab-stba for All Forms & Dosages as Its Reference Product
Ustekinumab-stba (Steqeyma) now has FDA approval for all forms and dosages of its reference product, ustekinumab (Stelara), including a subcutaneous injection to treat pediatric patients with plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

Insight into the FDA Approval of Ustekinumab Biosimilar
In late October, the FDA approved the first biosimilar to ustekinumab to treat patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and other conditions. Ustekinumab-auub is expected to be available in the U.S. by 2025.

FDA Approves Ustekinumab for Children with PsA
After examining study data from pediatric patients with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the FDA approved ustekinumab as a treatment for patients aged 6–17 years old with PsA.

New Clinical Trials for Ustekinumab & Denosumab Biosimilars Begin Recruitment
Clinical trials of biosimilar treatments, including a phase 1 study of SB17, which is biosimilar to ustekinumab, and two phase 3 studies investigating of SB16, which is biosimilar to denosumab, are currently recruiting.

Study Compares Ixekizumab with Ustekinumab for the Treatment of Nail Psoriasis
In a head-to-head study, ixekizumab was a more effective treatment for nail psoriasis than ustekinumab and resulted in greater skin clearance for patients with plaque psoriasis…

Ustekinumab for Behçet’s Disease? The Study Results Are In
In a multicenter, prospective, open-label study, ustekinumab therapy was effective in treating oral ulcers resistant to colchicine in patients with Behçet’s disease, according to study author David Saadoun, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Sorbonne University, Paris, and fellow researchers.1 Researchers focused on the topic because oral ulcers are often disabling, have…

Lupus Treatments: Into the Future
As the 21st century unfolds, rheumatologists will most likely transition from prescribing lupus patients broad immunosuppressants to more targeted treatment approaches. But to make this happen and advance research, the challenges experienced in lupus clinical trial design must be addressed…

Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, Part 2: Psoriasis
Over the past few years, biosimilars and other new drugs have been introduced to treat rheumatic illnesses. Some of the conditions we treat have numerous drug option; others have few or only off-label options. This series, “Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance,” provides streamlined information on the administration of biologic, biosimilar and other medications used to…

Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, Part 1: Psoriatic Arthritis
Over the past few years, biosimilars and other new drugs have been introduced to treat rheumatic illnesses. Some of the conditions we treat have numerous drug options, others have few or only off-label options. This series, Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, provides streamlined information on the administration of biologic, biosimilar and other medications used to…