Studies Show Ixekizumab Improved Work Productivity for Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis

Eli Lilly and Company  announced that JAMA Dermatology has published detailed results from three pivotal Phase 3 trials that evaluated the effect of ixekizumab on work productivity in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Specific results from the UNCOVER-1 study were also presented Monday during the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

In an analysis of the UNCOVER-1, UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3 studies, the effect of ixekizumab on work productivity was evaluated by the change from baseline as measured by Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Psoriasis (WPAI-PSO) scores at 12 weeks. The validated, self-reported WPAI questionnaire is used to measure impairment of work activities due to general health or a specific condition.1

In all three studies, patients treated with ixekizumab reported improved work productivity compared to patients treated with placebo. In UNCOVER-1, improvements in work productivity were also sustained up to 60 weeks in those who demonstrated initial clinical response to ixekizumab at 12 weeks.

“Psoriasis is a serious, systemic disease that can have a significant impact on a patient’s overall health and quality of life, including work productivity and overall activity levels,” said April Armstrong, M.D., MPH, corresponding study author and associate dean of clinical research at Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California. “The results presented at AAD and detailed in JAMA Dermatology further reinforce published data supporting ixekizumab as a potential treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. If approved, ixekizumab may provide dermatologists with a new option to address both skin symptoms and health-related outcomes for patients, including work-related activities.”