U.S. FDA Approves Second Indication for SKYRIZI® (risankizumab-rzaa) to Treat Adults with Active Psoriatic Arthritis

Rhea-AI Summary

AbbVie announced the FDA approval of SKYRIZI (risankizumab-rzaa) for treating adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This approval follows data from pivotal studies, KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2, showing significant efficacy compared to placebo in joint pain and other symptoms. SKYRIZI features a convenient dosing regimen of one injection every three months after initial doses. It aims to alleviate both skin and joint symptoms, improving quality of life for approximately 30% of psoriasis patients who experience PsA.

Positive

• FDA approval expands SKYRIZI's indication to active psoriatic arthritis, potentially increasing market share.
• Pivotal studies showed over 51% of patients achieved significant improvement in symptoms at week 24, outperforming placebo.
• Convenient dosing schedule aligns with existing treatments for psoriasis, enhancing patient compliance.

Negative

• Serious side effects include increased risk of infections, requiring careful monitoring.

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Jan. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved SKYRIZI^® (risankizumab-rzaa) for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a systemic inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints and impacts approximately 30 percent of patients with psoriasis.^1,4-7

The FDA approval is supported by data from two pivotal studies, KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of SKYRIZI in adults with active PsA, including those who had responded inadequately or were intolerant to biologic therapy and/or non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).^2,3 Across the two Phase 3 studies, SKYRIZI met the primary endpoint of ACR20 response at week 24 compared to placebo and demonstrated significant improvements across several other manifestations of PsA, including swollen, tender and painful joints.^2,3

"Patients often do not suspect a connection between their psoriasis skin symptoms and the joint pain, swelling and stiffness they may be experiencing, potentially leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis," said Thomas Hudson, M.D., senior vice president, research and development, chief scientific officer, AbbVie. "We're proud to expand the use of SKYRIZI to patients with psoriatic arthritis who are living with the debilitating combination of skin and joint symptoms."

SKYRIZI maintains a dosing regimen for PsA that is consistent with the existing regimen for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis patients – a single 150 mg subcutaneous injection four times a year (after two starter doses at weeks 0 and 4) – and can be administered alone or in combination with DMARDs.¹

"In the pivotal KEEPsAKE trials, SKYRIZI demonstrated improvements across a number of psoriatic arthritis symptoms, including joint pain, enthesitis and dactylitis," said Alan J. Kivitz, M.D., CPI, founder and medical director of the Altoona Center for Clinical Research and Altoona Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center in Duncansville, Pa. and KEEPsAKE clinical trial investigator. "This approval provides both dermatologists and rheumatologists with an option that helps improve skin and joint symptoms in patients with active psoriatic arthritis, alongside a quarterly dosing schedule that may fit their patients' lifestyle."

SKYRIZI is part of a collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and AbbVie, with AbbVie leading development and commercialization of SKYRIZI globally.

Highlights from the Pivotal Phase 3 Program^1,2,3

• In KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2, 57.3 percent and 51.3 percent of patients receiving SKYRIZI achieved the primary endpoint of ACR20 response at week 24, respectively, versus 33.5 percent and 26.5 percent receiving placebo. SKYRIZI also demonstrated improvements in ACR50 and ACR70 responses compared to placebo at week 24.
• SKYRIZI showed improvements in other key manifestations of PsA compared to placebo at week 24, including improvements in dactylitis and enthesitis for patients with pre-existing dactylitis and enthesitis.
• Patients with coexistent plaque psoriasis receiving SKYRIZI saw improvements in the skin lesions of psoriasis, compared to placebo, as measured by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI 90) at week 24.
• SKYRIZI showed a statistically significant improvement in physical function, compared to placebo, as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index at week 24, with a mean difference of 0.20 in KEEPsAKE-1 and 0.16 in KEEPsAKE-2.

Safety¹

• The overall safety profile observed in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with SKYRIZI is generally consistent with the safety profile in patients with plaque psoriasis.
• SKYRIZI may cause serious side effects, including:
• Serious Allergic Reactions: Stop using SKYRIZI and get medical help right away if you get any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
• Infections: SKYRIZI may increase your risk of infections. Before starting treatment, your doctor should check you for infections and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor right away if you have an infection or symptoms of one.

                  Do not take SKYRIZI if you are allergic to risankizumab-rzaa or any of the ingredients in SKYRIZI.

                  Also, tell your doctor if you plan to or recently received a vaccine.

Patient Access and Support
AbbVie is committed to helping people access SKYRIZI and other medicines, including offering a patient support program and co-pay card that may reduce out-of-pocket costs to as little as $5 per month for eligible, commercially-insured patients. For those with health insurance, AbbVie offers myAbbVie Assist, a patient assistance program that provides SKYRIZI at no charge to those who qualify. More information about this assistance program can be found at www.AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist.

About Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous, systemic inflammatory disease involving the joints and skin.⁵ In PsA, the immune system causes inflammation that can lead to skin lesions associated with psoriasis, pain, fatigue and stiffness in the joints.^5,6 PsA affects about 30 percent of patients with psoriasis.^4-7

About KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2^2,3
KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2 are both Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SKYRIZI in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. KEEPsAKE-1 evaluated SKYRIZI in patients who had an inadequate response or intolerance to at least one DMARD. KEEPsAKE-2 evaluated SKYRIZI in patients who had an inadequate response or intolerance to biologic therapy and/or DMARDs. Patients were randomized to SKYRIZI 150 mg or placebo followed by SKYRIZI 150 mg at week 24 in the open-label extension. Patients randomized to SKYRIZI received four maintenance doses a year, following two initiation doses.

The primary endpoint for both studies was the achievement of ACR20 response at week 24. Some of the ranked secondary endpoints included change from baseline in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index and the achievement of PASI 90 at week 24. The studies are ongoing, and patients in the long-term extension remain blinded to the original randomized allocation for the duration of the study, which will evaluate the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of SKYRIZI in patients who have completed the placebo-controlled period.

More information on these trials can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov (KEEPsAKE-1: NCT03675308; KEEPsAKE-2: NCT03671148).

About SKYRIZI^® (risankizumab-rzaa)
SKYRIZI is an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-23 by binding to its p19 subunit.⁸ IL-23, a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes, is thought to be linked to a number of chronic immune-mediated diseases, including psoriasis.⁸ SKYRIZI is approved in the U.S. to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, as well as to treat active psoriatic arthritis in adults. The approved dose for SKYRIZI is 150 mg (one 150 mg pre-filled pen or pre-filled syringe) administered by subcutaneous injection at weeks 0 and 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Phase 3 trials of SKYRIZI in psoriasis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and psoriatic arthritis are ongoing.^9-17

SKYRIZI U.S. Uses and Important Safety Information¹

SKYRIZI is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:

• Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet or UV light (phototherapy).
• Active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

What is the most important information I should know about SKYRIZI^® (risankizumab-rzaa)?

SKYRIZI is a prescription medication that may cause serious side effects, including:  

Serious Allergic Reactions: Stop using SKYRIZI and get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms of serious allergic reaction:

• Fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure)
• Swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble breathing or throat tightness
• Chest tightness
• Skin rash, hives
• Itching

Infections: SKYRIZI may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with SKYRIZI and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with SKYRIZI if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with SKYRIZI.

• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including:
• fever, sweats, or chills
• muscle aches
• weight loss
• cough
• warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis
• diarrhea or stomach pain
• shortness of breath
• blood in your mucus (phlegm)
• burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal

Do not use SKYRIZI if you are allergic to risankizumab-rzaa or any of the ingredients in SKYRIZI.

Before using SKYRIZI, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section "What is the most important information I should know about SKYRIZI?"
• have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back.
• have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
• have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). Medications that interact with the immune system may increase your risk of getting an infection after receiving live vaccines. You should avoid receiving live vaccines right before, during, or right after treatment with SKYRIZI. Tell your healthcare provider that you are taking SKYRIZI before receiving a vaccine.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if SKYRIZI can harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if SKYRIZI passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of SKYRIZI?
SKYRIZI may cause serious side effects. See "What is the most important information I should know about SKYRIZI?"

The most common side effects of SKYRIZI include upper respiratory infections, feeling tired, fungal skin infections, headache, and injection site reactions.

These are not all the possible side effects of SKYRIZI. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Use SKYRIZI exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.

SKYRIZI is available in a 150 mg/mL prefilled syringe and pen.

This is not a complete summary of all safety information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

Please click here for Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for SKYRIZI.

Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.

About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. 

References:

1. SKYRIZI (risankizumab) [Package Insert]. North Chicago, Ill.: AbbVie Inc.
2. Kristensen L.E., et al. Efficacy and safety of risankizumab for active psoriatic arthritis: 24-week results from the randomised, double-blind, phase2 3 KEEPsAKE 1 trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021; 0:1–7. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-221019.
3. Östör A., et al. Efficacy and safety of risankizumab for active psoriatic arthritis: 24-week results from the randomised, double-blind, phase 3 KEEPsAKE 2 trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021; 0:1–8. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-221048.
4. Galezowski, A., et al. Rhumatisme psoriasique en France, du nourrisson à la personne âgée: données de deux études transversales multicentriques [Psoriatic arthritis in France, from infants to the elderly: Findings from two cross-sectional, multicenter studies]. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2018;145(1):13-20. doi:10.1016/j.annder.2017.10.008.
5. Duarte GV, et al. Psoriatic arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2012 Feb;26(1):147-56. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2012.01.003.
6. Diseases & Conditions: Psoriatic Arthritis. 2019. American College of Rheumatology. Available at: https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Psoriatic-Arthritis. Accessed on December 15, 2021.
7. Psoriatic Arthritis. 2019. Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354076. Accessed on December 15, 2021.
8. Duvallet E., Sererano L., Assier E., et al. Interleukin-23: a key cytokine in inflammatory diseases. Ann Med. 2011. Nov 43(7):503-11.
9. BI 655066 (Risankizumab) Compared to Placebo and Active Comparator (Ustekinumab) in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02684370. Accessed on December 14, 2021.
10. BI 655066 Versus Placebo & Active Comparator (Ustekinumab) in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02684357. Accessed on December 14, 2021.
11. BI 655066 / ABBV-066 (Risankizumab) in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis With Randomized Withdrawal and Re-treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02672852. Accessed on December 14, 2021.
12. BI 655066/ABBV-066 (Risankizumab) Compared to Active Comparator (Adalimumab) in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02694523. Accessed on December 14, 2021.
13. A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03105128. Accessed on December 14, 2021.
14. A Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Participants With Ulcerative Colitis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03398135. Accessed on December 14, 2021.
15. A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Induction Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03398148. Accessed on December 14, 2021.
16. BI 655066/ABBV-066/Risankizumab Compared to Placebo in Patients With Active Psoriatic Arthritis. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03675308. Accessed on December 14, 2021.
17. BI 655066/ABBV-066/Risankizumab Compared to Placebo in Patients With Active Psoriatic Arthritis. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03671148. Accessed on December 14, 2021.

 

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SOURCE AbbVie

FAQ

What is SKYRIZI approved for?

SKYRIZI is approved for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis.

What were the results of the KEEPsAKE studies for SKYRIZI?

In KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2, 57.3% and 51.3% of patients achieved significant improvement in symptoms at week 24.

What is the dosing regimen for SKYRIZI?

SKYRIZI is administered as a single 150 mg subcutaneous injection four times a year after two starter doses.

What are the common side effects of SKYRIZI?

Common side effects include upper respiratory infections, fatigue, and injection site reactions.

Why is SKYRIZI important for psoriatic arthritis treatment?

SKYRIZI provides an effective treatment option for psoriatic arthritis, addressing both skin and joint symptoms.