Centocor, Inc, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Complete Response letter for its Biologics License Application (BLA) for ustekinumab. The application, filed by Centocor in late 2007, seeks approval to market ustekinumab as a subcutaneous biologic therapy for the treatment of adult patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

The Complete Response letter requests additional information, including a proposal by Centocor for a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). FDA requires REMS to ensure that benefits of an investigational or marketed treatment outweigh the risks. The ustekinumab REMS must contain a Medication Guide and communication plan. It does not require restricted distribution. The FDA has not requested any new non-clinical or clinical studies evaluating the efficacy or safety of ustekinumab prior to approval.
"We are confident that we can expeditiously address the questions set forth in the Complete Response letter," said Jerome A Boscia, senior vice president, Clinical R&D, Centocor, Inc. "We anticipate responding to the FDA in January 2009 and remain focused on bringing ustekinumab to market and ultimately to appropriate patients living with psoriasis and in need of treatment."

On June 17, 2008, the FDA's Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee (DODAC) unanimously recommended ustekinumab for approval. DODAC is convened on request of the FDA to review and evaluate safety and efficacy data of human drug products for use in the treatment of dermatologic and ophthalmologic conditions. The committee provides non-binding recommendations based on its evaluation; however, the FDA makes the final decision on approval of the drug.

Ustekinumab is a new, human monoclonal antibody in phase-3 development by Centocor, Inc. for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and is being investigated as an infrequently administered subcutaneous injection.

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