Eli Lilly Abandons IL-23 Psoriasis Program, Instead Will Focus On Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease Indications

Tucked in its Q1 earnings release, Eli Lilly And Co LLY has scrapped its plans to seek approval for mirikizumab in psoriasis.
The company decided not to enter the market despite the anti-IL-23p19 antibody outperforming Novartis AG’s NVS Cosentyx in a Phase 3 trial last year.
AbbVie Inc’s ABBV anti-IL-23 antibody Skyrizi and Johnson & Johnson’s JNJ Tremfya and Stelara, which hits IL-12 and IL-23, are already approved in plaque psoriasis.
Despite being behind the already approved anti-IL-23 drugs, Lilly moved mirikizumab into a Phase 3 program that included three psoriasis studies, including a long-term study.
“We look forward to bringing mirikizumab to market to provide patients with an additional treatment option that has the potential to provide near-complete or complete skin clearance as measured by PASI 90 and PASI 100, with sustained results at 52 weeks,” Lilly USA president Patrik Jonsson noted when data were announced.
The company said it would no longer submit mirikizumab for approval in psoriasis in any geography. The decision leaves mirikizumab development focused on ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Last month, Lilly showed mirikizumab improved clinical remission in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who had been failed by conventional or biologic therapies.
The company posted weaker-than-expected first-quarter earnings and cut its forecast for full-year adjusted profit due to lower demand for its COVID-19 drugs.
Price Action: LLY shares down 2.22% at $183.07 in the market trading session the last check Tuesday.