What are the new drugs for plaque psoriasis?
The newest systemic treatment for plaque psoriasis is the interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F antagonist bimekizumab (Bimzelx).
Bimzelx works by selectively and directly inhibiting both interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and interleukin-17F (IL-17F), two key cytokines that drive the inflammatory process in plaque psoriasis.
Another new treatment for plaque psoriasis is the tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor deucravacitinib (Sotyktu). TYK2 inhibitors work by inhibiting TYK2, an intracellular signaling kinase that mediates signaling of IL-23, IL-12 and Type I IFN, which are naturally occurring cytokines involved in inflammatory and immune responses.
Other new systemic treatments for plaque psoriasis are the interleukin-23 antagonists risankizumab (Skyrizi), tildrakizumab (Ilumya), and guselkumab (Tremfya). Interleukin-23 antagonists work by blocking interleukin-23 (IL-23), a pro-inflammatory cytokine thought to play a major role in chronic immune-mediated diseases, including plaque psoriasis.
Interleukin-23 antagonists are part of a wider group of drugs called biologics. Biologics are administered via subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion and are reserved for moderate to severe cases of psoriasis. Other biologic drugs include tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers, interleukin 12 and 23 (IL-12/23) antagonists, and interleukin 17 (IL-17) antagonists.
Systemic therapies, including biologic treatments, are only used for psoriasis that has not responded to other treatments (topical treatments and phototherapy).
The newest topical treatments for plaque psoriasis are the phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor roflumilast (Zoryve) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulating agent tapinarof (Vtama).
New Drugs for Generalized Pustular Psoriasis
Spevigo (spesolimab-sbzo) is an interleukin-36 receptor antagonist approved in September 2022 specifically for the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis.
For more information on other psoriasis drugs, including topical treatments, see Medications for Psoriasis
New Treatments for Plaque Psoriasis - Latest FDA Approvals
| Drug | Administration | Drug Class | Patient Population | FDA Approved for Psoriasis | Psoriasis Indication |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bimzelx (bimekizumab-bkzx) |
subcutaneous injection at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, then every 8 weeks | interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F antagonist | adults | 17-Oct-2023 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis |
|
Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) |
oral tablets once daily |
tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor | adults | 9-Sep-2022 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis |
|
Zoryve (roflumilast) |
topical application once daily |
phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor | adults and children 12 years and older | 29-Jul-2022 |
mild-to-severe plaque |
|
Vtama (tapinarof) |
topical application once daily |
aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulating agent | adults | 23-May-2022 |
mild-to-severe plaque |
| Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) | subcutaneous injection at weeks 0, 4, then every 12 weeks | interleukin-23 antagonist | adults | 23-Apr-2019 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis |
| Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) | subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker | adults | 24-May-2018 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis |
| Ilumya (tildrakizumab-asmn) | subcutaneous injection at weeks 0, 4, then every 12 weeks | interleukin-23 antagonist | adults | 20-Mar-2018 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis |
| Tremfya (guselkumab) | subcutaneous injection at weeks 0, 4, then every 8 weeks | interleukin-23 antagonist | adults | 13-Jul-2017 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis |
| Siliq (brodalumab) | subcutaneous injection at weeks 0, 1, and 2, then every 2 weeks | interleukin-17A antagonist | adults | 15-Feb-2017 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in patients who have failed to respond or have lost response to other systemic therapies |
| Taltz (ixekizumab) | subcutaneous injection at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, then every 4 weeks | interleukin-17A antagonist | adults and children 6 years and older | 22-Mar-2016 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis |
| Cosentyx (secukinumab) | subcutaneous injection at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, then every 4 weeks | interleukin-17A antagonist | adults and children 6 years and older | 21-Jan-2015 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis |
| Otezla (apremilast) | oral tablets twice daily | phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor | adults | 23-Sep-2014 |
mild-to-severe plaque |
| Stelara (ustekinumab) |
subcutaneous injection at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks |
interleukin-12 and -23 antagonist | adults and children 6 years and older | 25-Sep-2009 |
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis |
| Humira (adalimumab) | subcutaneous injection at weeks 0 and 1, then every 2 weeks | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker | adults | 18-Jan-2008 |
moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate |
| Remicade (infliximab) | intravenous infusion at weeks 0, 2 and 6, then every 8 weeks | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker | adults | 26-Sep-2006 |
chronic severe plaque psoriasis when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate |
| Enbrel (etanercept) |
Adults: subcutaneous injection twice weekly for 3 months then once weekly Children: subcutaneous injection once weekly |
tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker | adults and children 4 years and older | 30-Apr-2004 |
chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis |
The biosimilars for the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers Humira, Remicade, and Enbrel and the interleukin-12 and -23 antagonist Stelara are also FDA approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis:
Humira (adalimumab) Biosimilars
- Amjevita (adalimumab-atto)
- Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm)
- Hyrimoz (adalimumab-adaz)
- Hadlima (adalimumab-bwwd)
- Abrilada (adalimumab-afzb)
- Hulio (adalimumab-fkjp)
- Yusimry (adalimumab-aqvh)
- Idacio (adalimumab-aacf)
- Yuflyma (adalimumab-aaty)
Remicade (infliximab) Biosimilars
- Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb)
- Renflexis (infliximab-abda)
- Ixifi (infliximab-qbtx)
- Avsola (infliximab-axxq)
Enbrel (etanercept) Biosimilars
Stelara (ustekinumab) Biosimilars
For more information, see Psoriasis: Treatment Options to Manage Your Symptoms & Skin
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