Data evaluating the efficacy and safety of Stelara (ustekinumab) and Remicade (infliximab) in patients with plaque psoriasis who had an inadequate response to Enbrel (etanercept) will be presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in Miami, Florida, from March 5-9, 2010. Cumulative safety data for Stelara (up to 18 months) based on pooled analyses of one phase-2 and two phase-3 clinical trials will also be presented.

"These data underscore our commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis," said Dr Thomas F Schaible, vice president, Medical Affairs, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. "We are pleased to be in a position to share these findings with the medical community at this year's AAD annual meeting, as the only company to offer two biologic options for the management of this chronic disease."

Stelara, a human interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 antagonist, is approved for the treatment of adult patients (18 years or older) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

Remicade was the first anti-TNF-alpha treatment to be approved in three different therapeutic areas: gastroenterology, rheumatology and dermatology.