Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson issued the following announcement on Oct. 7.
The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced the submission of a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking expanded approval of STELARA® (ustekinumab) to treat pediatric (ages 6-11) patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO).
STELARA is the first and only biologic targeting both cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23, which evidence suggests play an important role in inflammation associated with auto-immune conditions, such as PsO, and is the only drug that blocks these cytokines that is approved for adolescent use. STELARA is currently approved in many countries for the treatment of adolescents and adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (ages 12+), adults with active psoriatic arthritis, adults with moderate to severe Crohn's disease and adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in the EU.
The STELARA sBLA is based on results from the Phase 3 CADMUS Jr study, in which the primary endpoint of the proportion of patients achieving a Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) score of Cleared (0) or Minimal (1) at week 12 was met. At week 12, 77 percent of patients (confidence interval [CI]: 62 percent, 89 percent) achieved PGA 0/1 response. The safety profile observed for STELARA in CADMUS Jr was generally consistent with previous studies as well as the current prescribing information for STELARA. The results of the study were presented earlier this year at the Skin Inflammation & Psoriasis International Network (SPIN) Annual Congress.
"Children with psoriasis struggle to manage its symptoms, while their families struggle to find an efficacious and safe treatment option," said Newman Yeilding, M.D., Head of Immunology Development, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "We're eager to bring this therapy, with a well-established safety and efficacy profile in plaque psoriasis and other immune diseases, one step closer to being available to children living with this chronic disease."
In addition to the primary endpoint, multiple secondary endpoints were assessed in the CADMUS Jr study. These include the proportions of patients achieving 75 percent or 90 percent improvement in their Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score at week 12 compared to baseline, and the change in Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index score at week 12 compared to baseline. Safety was evaluated through week 56.
CADMUS Jr was an open-label, single-arm, multicenter Phase 3 study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of STELARA administered by subcutaneous injection in pediatric patients with moderate to severe PsO. The study evaluated 44 participants and continued through 56 weeks.
Janssen also submitted a marketing application this year to the European Medicines Agency seeking approval of STELARA as a treatment for pediatric PsO patients.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory disorder that results in the overproduction of skin cells, characterized by raised, inflamed, red lesions or plaques, which can cause physical pain and itching.1 It is estimated that 125 million people worldwide live with the disease.2 Nearly one-quarter of people with psoriasis have cases that are considered moderate to severe.2 In the United States, about one-third of people with psoriasis experience symptoms before the age of 20 years.3
About STELARA® (ustekinumab)
STELARA® (ustekinumab), a human IL-12 and IL-23 antagonist, is approved in the United States for the treatment of: 1) adults and children 12 years and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy; 2) adult patients (18 years or older) with active psoriatic arthritis, used alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX); 3) adult patients (18 years and older) with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have failed or were intolerant to immunomodulators or corticosteroids, or failed or were intolerant to anti-TNF therapies.
The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson maintain exclusive worldwide marketing rights to STELARA®.
Important Safety Information
STELARA® is a prescription medicine that affects your immune system. STELARA® can increase your chance of having serious side effects including:
Serious Infections
STELARA® may lower your ability to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. While taking STELARA®, some people have serious infections, which may require hospitalization, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
- Your doctor should check you for TB before starting STELARA® and watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with STELARA®.
- If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated for TB before and during treatment with STELARA®.
Before starting STELARA®, tell your doctor if you:
- think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as:
- fever, sweats, or chills
- muscle aches
- cough
- shortness of breath
- blood in phlegm
- weight loss
- warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
- diarrhea or stomach pain
- burning when you urinate or urinate more often than normal
- feel very tired
- are being treated for an infection
- get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back
- have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB
Cancers
STELARA® may decrease the activity of your immune system and increase your risk for certain types of cancer. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of cancer. Some people who had risk factors for skin cancer developed certain types of skin cancers while receiving STELARA®. Tell your doctor if you have any new skin growths.
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)
RPLS is a rare condition that affects the brain and can cause death. The cause of RPLS is not known. If RPLS is found early and treated, most people recover. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening medical problems including: headache, seizures, confusion, and vision problems.
Serious Allergic Reactions
Serious allergic reactions can occur. Stop using STELARA® and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as: feeling faint, swelling of your face, eyelids, tongue, or throat, chest tightness, or skin rash.
Lung Inflammation
Cases of lung inflammation have happened in some people who receive STELARA® and may be serious. These lung problems may need to be treated in a hospital. Tell your doctor right away if you develop shortness of breath or a cough that doesn't go away during treatment with STELARA®.
Before receiving STELARA®, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have any of the conditions or symptoms listed above for serious infections, cancers, or RPLS.
- ever had an allergic reaction to STELARA® or any of its ingredients. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.
- are allergic to latex. The needle cover on the prefilled syringe contains latex.
- have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). People who take STELARA® should not receive live vaccines. Tell your doctor if anyone in your house needs a live vaccine. The viruses used in some types of live vaccines can spread to people with a weakened immune system and can cause serious problems. You should not receive the BCG vaccine during the one year before receiving STELARA® or one year after you stop receiving STELARA®.
- have any new or changing lesions within psoriasis areas or on normal skin.
- are receiving or have received allergy shots, especially for serious allergic reactions.
- receive or have received phototherapy for your psoriasis.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if STELARA® can harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will receive STELARA®.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is thought that STELARA® passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you receive STELARA®.
When prescribed STELARA®:
- Use STELARA® exactly as your doctor tells you to. STELARA® is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of your doctor.
- STELARA® is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of your doctor. In children 12 years and older, it is recommended that STELARA® be administered by a healthcare provider. If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver may give your injections of STELARA® at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject STELARA®. Your doctor will determine the right dose of STELARA® for you, the amount for each injection, and how often you should receive it. Do not try to inject STELARA® yourself until you or your caregiver have been shown how to inject STELARA® by your doctor or nurse.
Please read the Full Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide for STELARA®, and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‐800‐FDA‐1088.
About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
At Janssen, we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology, and Pulmonary Hypertension.
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