For One of the Most Severe Forms of Psoriasis, Relief May Finally Be on the Way

From newbeauty.com

The European Commission just gave new hope to a condition that’s had few real options 

Generalized pustular psoriasis, or GPP, doesn’t look like typical psoriasis. Instead of raised, scaly patches, it causes widespread pus-filled bumps and sudden waves of full-body inflammation severe enough to land patients in the hospital. It’s rare, and until now, treatment options have stayed frustratingly limited.

That could be changing. As reported by Dermatology Times, the European Commission has granted orphan designation to imsidolimab, an investigational antibody treatment from Vanda Pharmaceuticals. It’s the first time the European Commission has granted this status to any drug for GPP, and it follows similar designations the treatment already secured in the United States and Japan.

Getty Images / seventyfour

How Imsidolimab Targets GPP

Imsidolimab works by blocking a protein pathway called IL-36, which researchers believe is a major driver of GPP flares. Rather than calming symptoms after the fact, it’s designed to interrupt the inflammatory signal at the source, the same targeted approach behind a newer generation of psoriasis treatments aiming to go deeper than older options.

An Orphan Designation Isn’t an Approval, Yet

It’s easy to see “European Commission” and assume the treatment is cleared for patients, but that’s not quite the case. Orphan designation is a regulatory status reserved for treatments aimed at rare, serious diseases, and it can come with incentives like reduced fees and market exclusivity that help push development forward. It doesn’t mean imsidolimab is approved.

In the US, the therapy is further along: its application is currently under FDA review, with a decision expected by December 12.

What Vanda Is Saying

“The European Commission’s Orphan Designation for imsidolimab represents an important milestone for the GPP community and for our efforts to bring this investigational therapy to patients in Europe,” said Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, MD, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Vanda Pharmaceuticals. “With orphan designations now received in Europe, the United States and Japan, we remain focused on advancing imsidolimab for patients in these markets who need new treatment options.”

What This Means for You

If imsidolimab clears the remaining regulatory hurdles, it could give patients with this unpredictable and often frightening form of psoriasis a dedicated treatment option, something that’s been hard to come by. It’s part of a broader shift in how dermatologists are approaching psoriasis treatment, with more targeted options in the pipeline. For now, this designation is another sign that a once-overlooked condition is finally getting more attention from drug developers, with the next real test, that US decision, landing by mid-December.

https://www.newbeauty.com/view/severe-psoriasis-treatment-europe

Thailand Develops Herbal Patch Innovation for Psoriasis Treatment

From thainews.prd.go.th

Psoriasis has become a significant health concern in Thailand, with more than 20,000 outpatient cases recorded in 2024. It is now the third most common dermatological condition in the country. Approximately 1.7 million Thais suffer from psoriasis, with 30% experiencing severe symptoms that often require advanced treatments beyond standard medications. The average cost of treatment per visit is estimated at 3,100 baht.

Karom Polpornklang, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, shared these statistics while highlighting a breakthrough in alternative treatments. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) has collaborated with Thai researchers to develop an innovative herbal patch for psoriasis patients.

This herbal patch, inspired by the traditional formula “Karun Osot,” incorporates cannabidiol (CBD) extracts. Using transdermal delivery, the patch targets symptoms such as thickened skin patches and is particularly effective for mild to moderate cases. It offers a promising alternative for patients seeking Thai traditional medical solutions.

The patch recently earned international recognition, winning a silver medal at the iENA 2024 International Trade Fair in Nuremberg, Germany. It also received a special award from the China Association of Inventions.

https://thainews.prd.go.th/nbtworld/news/view/771386/?bid=1 

Catch up with top psoriasis news for Psoriasis Action Month

From healio.com

Key takeaways:

• August has been designated as Psoriasis Action Month by the National Psoriasis Foundation.
• The month is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for psoriasis causes.

The National Psoriasis Foundation dedicated August to psoriasis education, awareness and education, designating it Psoriasis Action Month.

Its aim is to increase both funding for and knowledge about the disease by sharing information via social media and hosting events across the country.

The National Psoriasis Foundation dedicated August to psoriasis education, awareness and education, designating it Psoriasis Action Month. Adobe Stock

In honour of the month and to add to the education conversation, Healio has gathered some important news regarding psoriasis published here in the past few months.

See what’s happening in the clinical psoriasis space.

Lack of training leads to delayed dermatology diagnoses in patients with darker skin tones

Poor representation of darker skin tones in dermatology training materials has led to delayed diagnoses and worse treatment outcomes in Black, Asian and non-white Latin American patients. Read more.

Treatment advancements merit updates to dermatological disqualifiers in the military

Due to medical advancements, researchers are calling for an update to the U.S. Department of Defense’s policies restricting individuals with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis from joining and remaining in the military. Read more.

In this Healio video exclusive, Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE, the James J. Leyden Professor of Clinical Investigation and professor of dermatology and epidemiology at University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, as well as the Healio Dermatology Chief Medical Editor, discusses the connection between psoriasis and cardiovascular outcomes. Watch the video.

Early life nutrition could impact psoriasis risk

A higher risk for developing psoriasis was found in subjects who were fed formula as infants compared with those who were breastfed for at least the first 4 months of life. Read more.

With abundant psoriasis treatments available, research now aiming for higher goals

With myriad treatment options now available for psoriasis vulgaris, recent research is focusing on reaching higher goals, Anthony P. Fernandez, MD, PhD, said in this video interview from the Medical Dermatology Therapy Update III meeting. Watch the video.

https://www.healio.com/news/dermatology/20240816/catch-up-with-top-psoriasis-news-for-psoriasis-action-month