European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion for Eli Lillu and Company’s ixekizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults in the European Union (EU) who are candidates for systemic therapy. Ixekizumab is designed to specifically target IL-17A, a protein that plays a key role in driving underlying inflammation in psoriasis.

The CHMP positive opinion is now referred for final action to the European Commission, which grants approval in the European Union The Commission usually makes a decision on marketing authorization within two to three months of the CHMP issuing its recommendation.

Ixekizumab is an IgG4 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds with interleukin 17A (IL-17A) cytokine ( < 3pM) and inhibits its interaction with the IL-17 receptor. IL-17A is a naturally occurring cytokine that is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses. Ixekizumab inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.

Source: Eli Lilly and Company